CarSpecsHQ

295/40R21 vs 275/45R21

275/45R21 is a safe swap for 295/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.49%.

21" rim
295/40R21 30.29" · 275/45R21 30.74" · drawn to scale

Side by side

295/40R21275/45R21Difference
Overall diameter30.29"30.74"+0.45" (+1.49%)
Section width295 mm275 mm-20 mm
Sidewall4.65"4.87"+0.23"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference95.2"96.6"+1.4"
Revs per mile666656-10
Ride height——+0.23"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.9+0.9 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.9 mph

With 275/45R21 on a car calibrated for 295/40R21, the speedometer reads 59.1 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.5%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.7 mph
60 mph60.9 mph
70 mph71.0 mph
80 mph81.2 mph

Other sizes close to 295/40R21

Questions

Can I replace 295/40R21 with 275/45R21?

275/45R21 is a safe swap for 295/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.49%.

What's the difference between 295/40R21 and 275/45R21?

275/45R21 is 0.45" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.23". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.9 mph.

Will 275/45R21 fit on 295/40R21 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.