CarSpecsHQ

275/45R21 vs 315/40R21

315/40R21 is a safe swap for 275/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.58%.

21" rim
275/45R21 30.74" · 315/40R21 30.92" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/45R21315/40R21Difference
Overall diameter30.74"30.92"+0.18" (+0.58%)
Section width275 mm315 mm+40 mm
Sidewall4.87"4.96"+0.09"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference96.6"97.1"+0.6"
Revs per mile656652-4
Ride height——+0.09"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.3+0.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.3 mph

With 315/40R21 on a car calibrated for 275/45R21, the speedometer reads 59.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.6%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.2 mph
45 mph45.3 mph
60 mph60.3 mph
70 mph70.4 mph
80 mph80.5 mph

Other sizes close to 275/45R21

Questions

Can I replace 275/45R21 with 315/40R21?

315/40R21 is a safe swap for 275/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.58%.

What's the difference between 275/45R21 and 315/40R21?

315/40R21 is 0.18" taller and 40 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.09". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.3 mph.

Will 315/40R21 fit on 275/45R21 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.