CarSpecsHQ

255/40R21 vs 315/35R21

315/35R21 is a safe swap for 255/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.24%.

21" rim
255/40R21 29.03" · 315/35R21 29.68" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/40R21315/35R21Difference
Overall diameter29.03"29.68"+0.65" (+2.24%)
Section width255 mm315 mm+60 mm
Sidewall4.02"4.34"+0.32"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference91.2"93.2"+2.0"
Revs per mile695679-15
Ride height——+0.32"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.3+1.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.3 mph

With 315/35R21 on a car calibrated for 255/40R21, the speedometer reads 58.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.2%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.7 mph
45 mph46.0 mph
60 mph61.3 mph
70 mph71.6 mph
80 mph81.8 mph

Other sizes close to 255/40R21

Questions

Can I replace 255/40R21 with 315/35R21?

315/35R21 is a safe swap for 255/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.24%.

What's the difference between 255/40R21 and 315/35R21?

315/35R21 is 0.65" taller and 60 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.32". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.3 mph.

Will 315/35R21 fit on 255/40R21 wheels?

Both use a 21" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 315 mm tire and the fender clearance.