CarSpecsHQ

265/45R21 vs 275/45R21

275/45R21 is a safe swap for 265/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.17%.

21" rim
265/45R21 30.39" · 275/45R21 30.74" · drawn to scale

Side by side

265/45R21275/45R21Difference
Overall diameter30.39"30.74"+0.35" (+1.17%)
Section width265 mm275 mm+10 mm
Sidewall4.69"4.87"+0.18"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference95.5"96.6"+1.1"
Revs per mile664656-8
Ride height——+0.18"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.7+0.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.7 mph

With 275/45R21 on a car calibrated for 265/45R21, the speedometer reads 59.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.2%.

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 265/45R21

Questions

Can I replace 265/45R21 with 275/45R21?

275/45R21 is a safe swap for 265/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.17%.

What's the difference between 265/45R21 and 275/45R21?

275/45R21 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 275/45R21 fit on 265/45R21 wheels?

Both use a 21" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 275 mm tire and the fender clearance.