CarSpecsHQ

305/30R21 vs 265/35R21

265/35R21 is a safe swap for 305/30R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.35%.

21" rim
305/30R21 28.20" · 265/35R21 28.30" · drawn to scale

Side by side

305/30R21265/35R21Difference
Overall diameter28.20"28.30"+0.10" (+0.35%)
Section width305 mm265 mm-40 mm
Sidewall3.60"3.65"+0.05"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference88.6"88.9"+0.3"
Revs per mile715713-2
Ride height——+0.05"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 265/35R21 on a car calibrated for 305/30R21, the speedometer reads 59.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.3%.

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

Other sizes close to 305/30R21

Questions

Can I replace 305/30R21 with 265/35R21?

265/35R21 is a safe swap for 305/30R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.35%.

What's the difference between 305/30R21 and 265/35R21?

265/35R21 is 0.10" taller and 40 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.05". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 265/35R21 fit on 305/30R21 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.