CarSpecsHQ

265/45R21 vs 285/45R21

285/45R21 is a safe swap for 265/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.33%.

21" rim
265/45R21 30.39" · 285/45R21 31.10" · drawn to scale

Side by side

265/45R21285/45R21Difference
Overall diameter30.39"31.10"+0.71" (+2.33%)
Section width265 mm285 mm+20 mm
Sidewall4.69"5.05"+0.35"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference95.5"97.7"+2.2"
Revs per mile664649-15
Ride height——+0.35"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.4+1.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.4 mph

With 285/45R21 on a car calibrated for 265/45R21, the speedometer reads 58.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.3%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.7 mph
45 mph46.0 mph
60 mph61.4 mph
70 mph71.6 mph
80 mph81.9 mph

Other sizes close to 265/45R21

Questions

Can I replace 265/45R21 with 285/45R21?

285/45R21 is a safe swap for 265/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.33%.

What's the difference between 265/45R21 and 285/45R21?

285/45R21 is 0.71" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.35". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.4 mph.

Will 285/45R21 fit on 265/45R21 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.