CarSpecsHQ

285/30R21 vs 265/35R21

265/35R21 is a safe swap for 285/30R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.06%.

21" rim
285/30R21 27.73" · 265/35R21 28.30" · drawn to scale

Side by side

285/30R21265/35R21Difference
Overall diameter27.73"28.30"+0.57" (+2.06%)
Section width285 mm265 mm-20 mm
Sidewall3.37"3.65"+0.29"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference87.1"88.9"+1.8"
Revs per mile727713-15
Ride height——+0.29"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.2+1.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.2 mph

With 265/35R21 on a car calibrated for 285/30R21, the speedometer reads 58.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.6 mph
45 mph45.9 mph
60 mph61.2 mph
70 mph71.4 mph
80 mph81.6 mph

Other sizes close to 285/30R21

Questions

Can I replace 285/30R21 with 265/35R21?

265/35R21 is a safe swap for 285/30R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.06%.

What's the difference between 285/30R21 and 265/35R21?

265/35R21 is 0.57" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.29". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.2 mph.

Will 265/35R21 fit on 285/30R21 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.