255/45R21 vs 265/45R21
265/45R21 is a safe swap for 255/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.18%.
Speedometer and odometer
With 265/45R21 on a car calibrated for 255/45R21, the speedometer reads 59.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.2%.
| Speedo shows | Actual speed |
|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.4 mph |
| 45 mph | 45.5 mph |
| 60 mph | 60.7 mph |
| 70 mph | 70.8 mph |
| 80 mph | 80.9 mph |
Other sizes close to 255/45R21
- 255/45R21 vs 255/50R20+0.01%
- 255/45R21 vs 275/45R20-0.97%
- 255/45R21 vs 235/55R20+0.47%
- 255/45R21 vs 265/40R21-2.29%
- 255/45R21 vs 275/35R21-4.85%
- 255/45R21 vs 295/35R21-3.01%
- 255/45R21 vs 275/45R21+2.36%
- 255/45R21 vs 255/40R21-3.34%
- 255/45R21 vs 285/35R22-0.60%
- 255/45R21 vs 295/40R21+0.85%
- 255/45R21 vs 285/45R21+3.54%
- 255/45R21 vs 285/40R21-0.20%
Questions
Can I replace 255/45R21 with 265/45R21?
265/45R21 is a safe swap for 255/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.18%.
What's the difference between 255/45R21 and 265/45R21?
265/45R21 is 0.35" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.18". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.7 mph.
Will 265/45R21 fit on 255/45R21 wheels?
Both use a 21" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 265 mm tire and the fender clearance.