CarSpecsHQ

255/40R21 vs 265/35R22

265/35R22 is a safe swap for 255/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.94%.

21" → 22"
255/40R21 29.03" · 265/35R22 29.30" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/40R21265/35R22Difference
Overall diameter29.03"29.30"+0.27" (+0.94%)
Section width255 mm265 mm+10 mm
Sidewall4.02"3.65"-0.36"
Rim21"22"+1"
Circumference91.2"92.1"+0.9"
Revs per mile695688-6
Ride height——+0.14"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.6+0.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.6 mph

With 265/35R22 on a car calibrated for 255/40R21, the speedometer reads 59.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.4 mph
60 mph60.6 mph
70 mph70.7 mph
80 mph80.7 mph

Other sizes close to 255/40R21

Questions

Can I replace 255/40R21 with 265/35R22?

265/35R22 is a safe swap for 255/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.94%.

What's the difference between 255/40R21 and 265/35R22?

265/35R22 is 0.27" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.36". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.6 mph.

Will 265/35R22 fit on 255/40R21 wheels?

No — 255/40R21 needs a 21" wheel and 265/35R22 a 22" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.