CarSpecsHQ

305/40R20 vs 275/40R21

275/40R21 is a safe swap for 305/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.19%.

20" → 21"
305/40R20 29.61" · 275/40R21 29.66" · drawn to scale

Side by side

305/40R20275/40R21Difference
Overall diameter29.61"29.66"+0.06" (+0.19%)
Section width305 mm275 mm-30 mm
Sidewall4.80"4.33"-0.47"
Rim20"21"+1"
Circumference93.0"93.2"+0.2"
Revs per mile681680-1
Ride height——+0.03"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.1+0.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.1 mph

With 275/40R21 on a car calibrated for 305/40R20, the speedometer reads 59.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.2%.

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

Other sizes close to 305/40R20

Questions

Can I replace 305/40R20 with 275/40R21?

275/40R21 is a safe swap for 305/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.19%.

What's the difference between 305/40R20 and 275/40R21?

275/40R21 is 0.06" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is -0.47". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.1 mph.

Will 275/40R21 fit on 305/40R20 wheels?

No — 305/40R20 needs a 20" wheel and 275/40R21 a 21" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.