255/40R21 vs 265/40R21
Side-by-side comparison of overall diameter, sidewall height, speedometer error, and ride-height change.
Safe to swap — Diameter difference is under 1.5% — within normal tolerance.
To scale
255/40R21
- Section width
- 255 mm
- Aspect ratio
- 40%
- Rim diameter
- 21"
- Sidewall
- 102.0 mm
- Overall diameter
- 737.4 mm
- Circumference
- 2317 mm
- Revs / mile
- 695
- Revs / km
- 432
265/40R21
- Section width
- 265 mm
- Aspect ratio
- 40%
- Rim diameter
- 21"
- Sidewall
- 106.0 mm
- Overall diameter
- 745.4 mm
- Circumference
- 2342 mm
- Revs / mile
- 687
- Revs / km
- 427
Difference
- Overall diameter
- +8.0 mm (+1.08%)
- Sidewall height
- +4.0 mm
- Tread width
- +10 mm
- Ride height (axle)
- +4.0 mm
- Speedometer error
- +1.08%
- At indicated 60 mph
- actual 60.7 mph
- At indicated 100 km/h
- actual 101.1 km/h
Will 265/40R21 fit instead of 255/40R21?
The overall diameter changes by 1.08%. Most manufacturers consider a swap acceptable when the difference stays under 3% — beyond that, you may see speedometer error, ABS/TPMS warnings, or wheel-well clearance problems. This page only covers the math; your vehicle's wheel arches, suspension geometry, and load rating still matter.
What the numbers mean
- Overall diameter — outside-to-outside height of the tire. Affects ride height, gearing, and speedometer calibration.
- Sidewall height — rubber from rim edge to tread. Lower sidewall gives sharper steering response but a harsher ride.
- Speedometer error — how far off your indicated speed will be after the swap. Positive means the speedo under-reads (actual speed is higher than shown).