CarSpecsHQ

305/30R21 vs 285/35R21

285/35R21 is a safe swap for 305/30R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.30%.

21" rim
305/30R21 28.20" · 285/35R21 28.85" · drawn to scale

Side by side

305/30R21285/35R21Difference
Overall diameter28.20"28.85"+0.65" (+2.30%)
Section width305 mm285 mm-20 mm
Sidewall3.60"3.93"+0.32"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference88.6"90.6"+2.0"
Revs per mile715699-16
Ride height——+0.32"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.4+1.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.4 mph

With 285/35R21 on a car calibrated for 305/30R21, the speedometer reads 58.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.3%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.7 mph
45 mph46.0 mph
60 mph61.4 mph
70 mph71.6 mph
80 mph81.8 mph

Other sizes close to 305/30R21

Questions

Can I replace 305/30R21 with 285/35R21?

285/35R21 is a safe swap for 305/30R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.30%.

What's the difference between 305/30R21 and 285/35R21?

285/35R21 is 0.65" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.32". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.4 mph.

Will 285/35R21 fit on 305/30R21 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.