CarSpecsHQ

285/30R21 vs 305/30R21

305/30R21 is a safe swap for 285/30R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.70%.

21" rim
285/30R21 27.73" · 305/30R21 28.20" · drawn to scale

Side by side

285/30R21305/30R21Difference
Overall diameter27.73"28.20"+0.47" (+1.70%)
Section width285 mm305 mm+20 mm
Sidewall3.37"3.60"+0.24"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference87.1"88.6"+1.5"
Revs per mile727715-12
Ride height——+0.24"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.0+1.0 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.0 mph

With 305/30R21 on a car calibrated for 285/30R21, the speedometer reads 59.0 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.5 mph
45 mph45.8 mph
60 mph61.0 mph
70 mph71.2 mph
80 mph81.4 mph

Other sizes close to 285/30R21

Questions

Can I replace 285/30R21 with 305/30R21?

305/30R21 is a safe swap for 285/30R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.70%.

What's the difference between 285/30R21 and 305/30R21?

305/30R21 is 0.47" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.24". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.0 mph.

Will 305/30R21 fit on 285/30R21 wheels?

Both use a 21" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 305 mm tire and the fender clearance.