CarSpecsHQ

315/40R21 vs 285/50R20

285/50R20 is a safe swap for 315/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.97%.

21" → 20"
315/40R21 30.92" · 285/50R20 31.22" · drawn to scale

Side by side

315/40R21285/50R20Difference
Overall diameter30.92"31.22"+0.30" (+0.97%)
Section width315 mm285 mm-30 mm
Sidewall4.96"5.61"+0.65"
Rim21"20"-1"
Circumference97.1"98.1"+0.9"
Revs per mile652646-6
Ride height——+0.15"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.6+0.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.6 mph

With 285/50R20 on a car calibrated for 315/40R21, the speedometer reads 59.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.0%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.4 mph
60 mph60.6 mph
70 mph70.7 mph
80 mph80.8 mph

Other sizes close to 315/40R21

Questions

Can I replace 315/40R21 with 285/50R20?

285/50R20 is a safe swap for 315/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.97%.

What's the difference between 315/40R21 and 285/50R20?

285/50R20 is 0.30" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.65". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.6 mph.

Will 285/50R20 fit on 315/40R21 wheels?

No — 315/40R21 needs a 21" wheel and 285/50R20 a 20" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.