CarSpecsHQ

275/40R21 vs 315/35R21

315/35R21 is a safe swap for 275/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.07%.

21" rim
275/40R21 29.66" · 315/35R21 29.68" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/40R21315/35R21Difference
Overall diameter29.66"29.68"+0.02" (+0.07%)
Section width275 mm315 mm+40 mm
Sidewall4.33"4.34"+0.01"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference93.2"93.2"+0.1"
Revs per mile680679-0
Ride height——+0.01"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.0+0.0 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.0 mph

With 315/35R21 on a car calibrated for 275/40R21, the speedometer reads 60.0 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.0 mph
45 mph45.0 mph
60 mph60.0 mph
70 mph70.0 mph
80 mph80.1 mph

Other sizes close to 275/40R21

Questions

Can I replace 275/40R21 with 315/35R21?

315/35R21 is a safe swap for 275/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.07%.

What's the difference between 275/40R21 and 315/35R21?

315/35R21 is 0.02" taller and 40 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.01". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.0 mph.

Will 315/35R21 fit on 275/40R21 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.