CarSpecsHQ

275/50R20 vs 315/40R21

315/40R21 is a safe swap for 275/50R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.31%.

20" → 21"
275/50R20 30.83" · 315/40R21 30.92" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/50R20315/40R21Difference
Overall diameter30.83"30.92"+0.09" (+0.31%)
Section width275 mm315 mm+40 mm
Sidewall5.41"4.96"-0.45"
Rim20"21"+1"
Circumference96.8"97.1"+0.3"
Revs per mile654652-2
Ride height——+0.05"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 315/40R21 on a car calibrated for 275/50R20, the speedometer reads 59.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.3%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.1 mph
60 mph60.2 mph
70 mph70.2 mph
80 mph80.2 mph

Other sizes close to 275/50R20

Questions

Can I replace 275/50R20 with 315/40R21?

315/40R21 is a safe swap for 275/50R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.31%.

What's the difference between 275/50R20 and 315/40R21?

315/40R21 is 0.09" taller and 40 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.45". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 315/40R21 fit on 275/50R20 wheels?

No — 275/50R20 needs a 20" wheel and 315/40R21 a 21" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.