CarSpecsHQ

295/35R21 vs 265/40R21

265/40R21 is a safe swap for 295/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.74%.

21" rim
295/35R21 29.13" · 265/40R21 29.35" · drawn to scale

Side by side

295/35R21265/40R21Difference
Overall diameter29.13"29.35"+0.22" (+0.74%)
Section width295 mm265 mm-30 mm
Sidewall4.06"4.17"+0.11"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference91.5"92.2"+0.7"
Revs per mile692687-5
Ride height——+0.11"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.4+0.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.4 mph

With 265/40R21 on a car calibrated for 295/35R21, the speedometer reads 59.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.2 mph
45 mph45.3 mph
60 mph60.4 mph
70 mph70.5 mph
80 mph80.6 mph

Other sizes close to 295/35R21

Questions

Can I replace 295/35R21 with 265/40R21?

265/40R21 is a safe swap for 295/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.74%.

What's the difference between 295/35R21 and 265/40R21?

265/40R21 is 0.22" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.11". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.4 mph.

Will 265/40R21 fit on 295/35R21 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.