CarSpecsHQ

265/35R21 vs 285/35R21

285/35R21 is a safe swap for 265/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.95%.

21" rim
265/35R21 28.30" · 285/35R21 28.85" · drawn to scale

Side by side

265/35R21285/35R21Difference
Overall diameter28.30"28.85"+0.55" (+1.95%)
Section width265 mm285 mm+20 mm
Sidewall3.65"3.93"+0.28"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference88.9"90.6"+1.7"
Revs per mile713699-14
Ride height——+0.28"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.2+1.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.2 mph

With 285/35R21 on a car calibrated for 265/35R21, the speedometer reads 58.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.6 mph
45 mph45.9 mph
60 mph61.2 mph
70 mph71.4 mph
80 mph81.6 mph

Other sizes close to 265/35R21

Questions

Can I replace 265/35R21 with 285/35R21?

285/35R21 is a safe swap for 265/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.95%.

What's the difference between 265/35R21 and 285/35R21?

285/35R21 is 0.55" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.28". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.2 mph.

Will 285/35R21 fit on 265/35R21 wheels?

Both use a 21" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 285 mm tire and the fender clearance.