CarSpecsHQ

265/40R21 vs 315/35R21

315/35R21 is a safe swap for 265/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.14%.

21" rim
265/40R21 29.35" · 315/35R21 29.68" · drawn to scale

Side by side

265/40R21315/35R21Difference
Overall diameter29.35"29.68"+0.33" (+1.14%)
Section width265 mm315 mm+50 mm
Sidewall4.17"4.34"+0.17"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference92.2"93.2"+1.1"
Revs per mile687679-8
Ride height——+0.17"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.7+0.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.7 mph

With 315/35R21 on a car calibrated for 265/40R21, the speedometer reads 59.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.5 mph
60 mph60.7 mph
70 mph70.8 mph
80 mph80.9 mph

Other sizes close to 265/40R21

Questions

Can I replace 265/40R21 with 315/35R21?

315/35R21 is a safe swap for 265/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.14%.

What's the difference between 265/40R21 and 315/35R21?

315/35R21 is 0.33" taller and 50 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.17". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.7 mph.

Will 315/35R21 fit on 265/40R21 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.