265/45R21 Tire Size in Inches

Diameter, width, sidewall and the closest equivalent sizes, computed from the size code.

265/45R21
30.4" tall × 10.4" wide
On a 21-inch wheel · roughly 30.4x10.4R21 in flotation sizing
MeasurementInchesMillimetres
Overall diameter30.39772
Section width10.43265
Sidewall height4.69119.2
Wheel diameter21533
Circumference95.52425
Revolutions per mile664 (412 per km)

What 265/45R21 means

265 is the section width in millimetres (10.4 in). 45 is the aspect ratio: the sidewall is 45% as tall as the tire is wide, which works out to 119.2 mm or 4.7 in. R21 is a radial tire for a 21-inch wheel.

Overall diameter is the wheel plus two sidewalls: 21 + 2 × 4.69 = 30.4 inches. These are the nominal dimensions every maker builds to; a real 265/45R21 can measure a few tenths of an inch differently by model and inflation.

Closest equivalent sizes

Common sizes within the usual 3% of 265/45R21's overall diameter. Confirm load index, speed rating and rim width before swapping.

SizeDiameterWidthChangeSpeedometer at 60
215/85R16 new wheels 30.4 in 8.5 in +0.0% really 60.0 mph
265/50R20 new wheels 30.4 in 10.4 in +0.1% really 60.1 mph
265/40R22 new wheels 30.3 in 10.4 in -0.1% really 59.9 mph
295/45R20 new wheels 30.5 in 11.6 in +0.2% really 60.1 mph
245/75R16 new wheels 30.5 in 9.6 in +0.3% really 60.2 mph
245/70R17 new wheels 30.5 in 9.6 in +0.4% really 60.2 mph

Speedometer if you switch to 215/85R16

Your speedometer stays calibrated for 265/45R21. With a taller tire you travel faster than it shows.

Speedometer readsTrue speed
30 mph30.0 mph
45 mph45.0 mph
55 mph55.0 mph
65 mph65.0 mph
75 mph75.0 mph
Compare 265/45R21 with any size →

Shop 265/45R21 tires

Check the load index and speed rating on your door-jamb placard before you buy, especially for LT tires used for towing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A 265/45R21 tire is 30.4 inches (772 mm) tall overall. That is the 21-inch wheel plus two sidewalls of 4.7 inches each (45% of the 265 mm section width). Expect a real tire to measure within a few tenths of an inch of this, depending on the model and inflation.

The section width is 265 mm, or 10.4 inches, measured sidewall to sidewall on the recommended rim width. The tread itself is narrower than that. In flotation sizing, 265/45R21 is roughly a 30.4x10.4R21.

215/85R16 is the closest common size, at +0.0% overall diameter (30.4 in against 30.4 in). Most makers treat about 3% as the limit for a swap without speedometer or clearance problems, but always confirm load index, speed rating and wheel width before changing size.

About 664 revolutions per mile (412 per kilometre), from its 30.4-inch rolling diameter. Real-world figures run slightly higher because a loaded tire squats. This number is what your speedometer and odometer are calibrated against.

Last updated: October 2, 2026

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Other 21-inch sizes

245/45R21 255/40R21 265/40R21 275/40R21 275/45R21 285/40R21 295/35R21 275/35R21 315/35R21