CarSpecsHQ

265/45R21 vs 315/40R21

315/40R21 is a safe swap for 265/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.75%.

21" rim
265/45R21 30.39" · 315/40R21 30.92" · drawn to scale

Side by side

265/45R21315/40R21Difference
Overall diameter30.39"30.92"+0.53" (+1.75%)
Section width265 mm315 mm+50 mm
Sidewall4.69"4.96"+0.27"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference95.5"97.1"+1.7"
Revs per mile664652-11
Ride height——+0.27"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.0+1.0 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.0 mph

With 315/40R21 on a car calibrated for 265/45R21, the speedometer reads 59.0 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.5 mph
45 mph45.8 mph
60 mph61.0 mph
70 mph71.2 mph
80 mph81.4 mph

Other sizes close to 265/45R21

Questions

Can I replace 265/45R21 with 315/40R21?

315/40R21 is a safe swap for 265/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.75%.

What's the difference between 265/45R21 and 315/40R21?

315/40R21 is 0.53" taller and 50 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.27". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.0 mph.

Will 315/40R21 fit on 265/45R21 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.