CarSpecsHQ

285/35R21 vs 275/40R21

275/40R21 is a safe swap for 285/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.80%.

21" rim
285/35R21 28.85" · 275/40R21 29.66" · drawn to scale

Side by side

285/35R21275/40R21Difference
Overall diameter28.85"29.66"+0.81" (+2.80%)
Section width285 mm275 mm-10 mm
Sidewall3.93"4.33"+0.40"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference90.6"93.2"+2.5"
Revs per mile699680-19
Ride height——+0.40"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.7+1.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.7 mph

With 275/40R21 on a car calibrated for 285/35R21, the speedometer reads 58.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.8%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.3 mph
60 mph61.7 mph
70 mph72.0 mph
80 mph82.2 mph

Other sizes close to 285/35R21

Questions

Can I replace 285/35R21 with 275/40R21?

275/40R21 is a safe swap for 285/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.80%.

What's the difference between 285/35R21 and 275/40R21?

275/40R21 is 0.81" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.40". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.7 mph.

Will 275/40R21 fit on 285/35R21 wheels?

Both use a 21" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 275 mm tire and the fender clearance.