CarSpecsHQ

305/30R21 vs 275/35R21

275/35R21 is a safe swap for 305/30R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.33%.

21" rim
305/30R21 28.20" · 275/35R21 28.58" · drawn to scale

Side by side

305/30R21275/35R21Difference
Overall diameter28.20"28.58"+0.37" (+1.33%)
Section width305 mm275 mm-30 mm
Sidewall3.60"3.79"+0.19"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference88.6"89.8"+1.2"
Revs per mile715706-9
Ride height——+0.19"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.8+0.8 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.8 mph

With 275/35R21 on a car calibrated for 305/30R21, the speedometer reads 59.2 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.3%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.6 mph
60 mph60.8 mph
70 mph70.9 mph
80 mph81.1 mph

Other sizes close to 305/30R21

Questions

Can I replace 305/30R21 with 275/35R21?

275/35R21 is a safe swap for 305/30R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.33%.

What's the difference between 305/30R21 and 275/35R21?

275/35R21 is 0.37" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.19". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.8 mph.

Will 275/35R21 fit on 305/30R21 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.