CarSpecsHQ

285/35R21 vs 265/40R21

265/40R21 is a safe swap for 285/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.71%.

21" rim
285/35R21 28.85" · 265/40R21 29.35" · drawn to scale

Side by side

285/35R21265/40R21Difference
Overall diameter28.85"29.35"+0.49" (+1.71%)
Section width285 mm265 mm-20 mm
Sidewall3.93"4.17"+0.25"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference90.6"92.2"+1.5"
Revs per mile699687-12
Ride height——+0.25"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.0+1.0 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.0 mph

With 265/40R21 on a car calibrated for 285/35R21, 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 285/35R21

Questions

Can I replace 285/35R21 with 265/40R21?

265/40R21 is a safe swap for 285/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.71%.

What's the difference between 285/35R21 and 265/40R21?

265/40R21 is 0.49" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.25". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.0 mph.

Will 265/40R21 fit on 285/35R21 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.