CarSpecsHQ

305/40R20 vs 315/35R21

315/35R21 is a safe swap for 305/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.25%.

20" → 21"
305/40R20 29.61" · 315/35R21 29.68" · drawn to scale

Side by side

305/40R20315/35R21Difference
Overall diameter29.61"29.68"+0.07" (+0.25%)
Section width305 mm315 mm+10 mm
Sidewall4.80"4.34"-0.46"
Rim20"21"+1"
Circumference93.0"93.2"+0.2"
Revs per mile681679-2
Ride height——+0.04"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 315/35R21 on a car calibrated for 305/40R20, 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 mph45.1 mph
60 mph60.2 mph
70 mph70.2 mph
80 mph80.2 mph

Other sizes close to 305/40R20

Questions

Can I replace 305/40R20 with 315/35R21?

315/35R21 is a safe swap for 305/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.25%.

What's the difference between 305/40R20 and 315/35R21?

315/35R21 is 0.07" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.46". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 315/35R21 fit on 305/40R20 wheels?

No — 305/40R20 needs a 20" wheel and 315/35R21 a 21" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.