TireSizeCheck

275/50R21 vs 275/40R22

Fit verdict

Borderline. Check clearance first

Diameter change

−3.7%

At 3.7% this lands between the 3% and 5% marks. Plenty of people run swaps like this, but you will see real speedometer error, and you want to check the wheel well at full lock and full compression before you buy. Your speedometer will read high, so you are going slower than it says.

New overall diameter

30.66″

was 31.83″

True speed at an indicated 60

57.8 mph

your speedo reads high

Revolutions per mile

658

was 634, +24

Measurement 275/50R21 275/40R22 Change
Overall diameter 31.83″ 30.66″ −1.17″ (−3.7%)
Sidewall height 5.41″ (137.5 mm) 4.33″ (110.0 mm) −27.5 mm
Tread width 275 mm 275 mm +0 mm
Circumference 99.99″ 96.33″ −3.66″
Revs per mile 634 658 +24
Speedometer error baseline −3.7% reads high

Diameter overlay

275/50R21 275/40R22

Speedometer check

With 275/40R22 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:

25 mph shown

24.1 mph actual

35 mph shown

33.7 mph actual

45 mph shown

43.4 mph actual

55 mph shown

53.0 mph actual

65 mph shown

62.6 mph actual

75 mph shown

72.3 mph actual

Common questions

Will 275/40R22 fit instead of 275/50R21?
At 3.7% this lands between the 3% and 5% marks. Plenty of people run swaps like this, but you will see real speedometer error, and you want to check the wheel well at full lock and full compression before you buy. Your speedometer will read high, so you are going slower than it says. Overall diameter goes from 31.83″ to 30.66″, a change of −3.7%. The rule of thumb most shops use: under 3% is fine, 3 to 5% needs a clearance check, over 5% needs recalibration.
How far off will my speedometer read on 275/40R22?
At an indicated 60 mph you are really doing about 57.8 mph, a −3.7% error. The speedometer reads high, so you are going slower than it shows.
What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 275/50R21 and 275/40R22?
275/50R21 turns about 634 times per mile and 275/40R22 turns about 658, a difference of +24. Your speedometer and odometer both count rotations, so this number is what throws them off.