225/45R21 tire size in inches

A 225/45R21 tire measures

29.0" tall × 8.9" wide

3.99" sidewall on a 21" wheel. 696 revolutions per mile.

225/45R21 means a tire 225 mm wide, with sidewalls 45% as tall as the tire is wide (101 mm), radial construction (R), for a 21 inch wheel.

29.0"21" rim4.0"8.9" wide
225/45R21: 29.0 inches tall, 8.9 inches wide, on a 21 inch rim, drawn to scale

225/45R21 specs

Overall diameter (height)28.97 inches (736 mm)
Section width8.86 inches (225 mm)
Sidewall height3.99 inches (101 mm)
Wheel (rim) diameter21 inches
Circumference91.0 inches (2,312 mm)
Revolutions per mile696
Revolutions per kilometer433
Approximate rim width7.5" to 9.0"
In inches (flotation style)29.0x8.9R21
Aspect ratio45%

Calculated from the size. Real tires differ by brand, model and tread depth, typically by a few tenths of an inch.

Sizes that can replace 225/45R21 on a 21" wheel

These 21" sizes are within 3% of 225/45R21's overall diameter, the range most tire shops treat as interchangeable.

SizeDiameterWidthDifferenceReal speed at 60
255/40R2129.03"10.04"+0.2%60.1 mphCompare
335/30R2128.91"13.19"−0.2%59.9 mphCompare
285/35R2128.85"11.22"−0.4%59.8 mphCompare
295/35R2129.13"11.61"+0.5%60.3 mphCompare
345/30R2129.15"13.58"+0.6%60.4 mphCompare
245/40R2128.72"9.65"−0.9%59.5 mphCompare
325/30R2128.68"12.80"−1.0%59.4 mphCompare
235/45R2129.33"9.25"+1.2%60.7 mphCompare
265/40R2129.35"10.43"+1.3%60.8 mphCompare
275/35R2128.58"10.83"−1.4%59.2 mphCompare
355/30R2129.39"13.98"+1.4%60.9 mphCompare
305/35R2129.41"12.01"+1.5%60.9 mphCompare

Same height on other wheel sizes (plus and minus sizing)

SizeWheelDiameterDifference
285/40R2020"28.98"0.0%Compare
295/30R2222"28.97"0.0%Compare
325/35R2020"28.96"−0.1%Compare
355/25R2222"28.99"+0.1%Compare
235/70R1616"28.95"−0.1%Compare
275/60R1616"28.99"+0.1%Compare
215/65R1818"29.00"+0.1%Compare
305/50R1717"29.01"+0.1%Compare
255/25R2424"29.02"+0.2%Compare
315/40R1919"28.92"−0.2%Compare
235/65R1717"29.03"+0.2%Compare
255/35R2222"29.03"+0.2%Compare

One size up or down

Compare 225/45R21 with another size

With 235/45R21 tires, when your speedometer says 60 mph you are really going

60.7 mph

235/45R21 is +0.35 inches (+1.2%) in overall diameter. That is within the 3% most shops and makers allow.

225/45R21235/45R21Difference%
Overall diameter28.97"29.33"+0.35"+1.2%
Section width8.86"9.25"+0.39"+4.4%
Sidewall height3.99"4.16"+0.18"+4.4%
Circumference91.02"92.13"+1.11"+1.2%
Revolutions per mile696.1687.7−8.4−1.2%

Questions

How tall is a 225/45R21 tire?
A 225/45R21 tire is 29.0 inches tall (736 mm), calculated from the size. It is 8.9 inches wide with 4.0 inches sidewalls. Real tires vary by a few tenths of an inch between brands and tread patterns.
What does 225/45R21 mean?
225/45R21 means a tire 225 mm wide, with sidewalls 45% as tall as the tire is wide (101 mm), radial construction (R), for a 21 inch wheel.
How many revolutions per mile does a 225/45R21 tire make?
About 696 revolutions per mile, based on a circumference of 91.0 inches. Under load the tire flattens slightly, so the maker's published figure is usually a little higher.
What rim width fits a 225/45R21 tire?
Roughly 7.5" to 9.0". Check the tire maker's approved rim range for the exact model before buying wheels.
Can I use 255/40R21 instead of 225/45R21?
255/40R21 is +0.06 inches (+0.2%) in overall diameter, so at an indicated 60 mph you would be doing 60.1 mph. Differences under 3% are usually fine, but check clearance, load index and your vehicle's placard.

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