CarSpecsHQ

275/35R21 vs 265/40R21

265/40R21 is a safe swap for 275/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.69%.

21" rim
275/35R21 28.58" · 265/40R21 29.35" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/35R21265/40R21Difference
Overall diameter28.58"29.35"+0.77" (+2.69%)
Section width275 mm265 mm-10 mm
Sidewall3.79"4.17"+0.38"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference89.8"92.2"+2.4"
Revs per mile706687-18
Ride height——+0.38"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.6+1.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.6 mph

With 265/40R21 on a car calibrated for 275/35R21, the speedometer reads 58.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.2 mph
60 mph61.6 mph
70 mph71.9 mph
80 mph82.1 mph

Other sizes close to 275/35R21

Questions

Can I replace 275/35R21 with 265/40R21?

265/40R21 is a safe swap for 275/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.69%.

What's the difference between 275/35R21 and 265/40R21?

265/40R21 is 0.77" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.38". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.6 mph.

Will 265/40R21 fit on 275/35R21 wheels?

Both use a 21" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 265 mm tire and the fender clearance.