CarSpecsHQ

285/40R21 vs 275/45R21

275/45R21 is a safe swap for 285/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.56%.

21" rim
285/40R21 29.98" · 275/45R21 30.74" · drawn to scale

Side by side

285/40R21275/45R21Difference
Overall diameter29.98"30.74"+0.77" (+2.56%)
Section width285 mm275 mm-10 mm
Sidewall4.49"4.87"+0.38"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference94.2"96.6"+2.4"
Revs per mile673656-17
Ride height——+0.38"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.5+1.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.5 mph

With 275/45R21 on a car calibrated for 285/40R21, the speedometer reads 58.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.6%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.2 mph
60 mph61.5 mph
70 mph71.8 mph
80 mph82.0 mph

Other sizes close to 285/40R21

Questions

Can I replace 285/40R21 with 275/45R21?

275/45R21 is a safe swap for 285/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.56%.

What's the difference between 285/40R21 and 275/45R21?

275/45R21 is 0.77" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.38". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.5 mph.

Will 275/45R21 fit on 285/40R21 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.