CarSpecsHQ

285/35R21 vs 285/40R20

285/40R20 is a safe swap for 285/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.42%.

21" → 20"
285/35R21 28.85" · 285/40R20 28.98" · drawn to scale

Side by side

285/35R21285/40R20Difference
Overall diameter28.85"28.98"+0.12" (+0.42%)
Section width285 mm285 mm0 mm
Sidewall3.93"4.49"+0.56"
Rim21"20"-1"
Circumference90.6"91.0"+0.4"
Revs per mile699696-3
Ride height——+0.06"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.3+0.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.3 mph

With 285/40R20 on a car calibrated for 285/35R21, the speedometer reads 59.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.4%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.2 mph
60 mph60.3 mph
70 mph70.3 mph
80 mph80.3 mph

Other sizes close to 285/35R21

Questions

Can I replace 285/35R21 with 285/40R20?

285/40R20 is a safe swap for 285/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.42%.

What's the difference between 285/35R21 and 285/40R20?

285/40R20 is 0.12" taller and 0 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.56". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.3 mph.

Will 285/40R20 fit on 285/35R21 wheels?

No — 285/35R21 needs a 21" wheel and 285/40R20 a 20" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.