CarSpecsHQ

295/40R21 vs 285/45R21

285/45R21 is a safe swap for 295/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.66%.

21" rim
295/40R21 30.29" · 285/45R21 31.10" · drawn to scale

Side by side

295/40R21285/45R21Difference
Overall diameter30.29"31.10"+0.81" (+2.66%)
Section width295 mm285 mm-10 mm
Sidewall4.65"5.05"+0.40"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference95.2"97.7"+2.5"
Revs per mile666649-17
Ride height——+0.40"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.6+1.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.6 mph

With 285/45R21 on a car calibrated for 295/40R21, the speedometer reads 58.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.2 mph
60 mph61.6 mph
70 mph71.9 mph
80 mph82.1 mph

Other sizes close to 295/40R21

Questions

Can I replace 295/40R21 with 285/45R21?

285/45R21 is a safe swap for 295/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.66%.

What's the difference between 295/40R21 and 285/45R21?

285/45R21 is 0.81" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.40". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.6 mph.

Will 285/45R21 fit on 295/40R21 wheels?

Both use a 21" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 285 mm tire and the fender clearance.