285/45R21 tire size in inches

A 285/45R21 tire measures

31.1" tall × 11.2" wide

5.05" sidewall on a 21" wheel. 649 revolutions per mile.

285/45R21 means a tire 285 mm wide, with sidewalls 45% as tall as the tire is wide (128 mm), radial construction (R), for a 21 inch wheel.

31.1"21" rim5.0"11.2" wide
285/45R21: 31.1 inches tall, 11.2 inches wide, on a 21 inch rim, drawn to scale

285/45R21 specs

Overall diameter (height)31.10 inches (790 mm)
Section width11.22 inches (285 mm)
Sidewall height5.05 inches (128 mm)
Wheel (rim) diameter21 inches
Circumference97.7 inches (2,482 mm)
Revolutions per mile649
Revolutions per kilometer403
Approximate rim width9.5" to 11.0"
In inches (flotation style)31.1x11.2R21
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 285/45R21 on a 21" wheel

These 21" sizes are within 3% of 285/45R21's overall diameter, the range most tire shops treat as interchangeable.

SizeDiameterWidthDifferenceReal speed at 60
255/50R2131.04"10.04"−0.2%59.9 mphCompare
235/55R2131.18"9.25"+0.3%60.2 mphCompare
325/40R2131.24"12.80"+0.4%60.3 mphCompare
315/40R2130.92"12.40"−0.6%59.7 mphCompare
355/35R2130.78"13.98"−1.0%59.4 mphCompare
265/50R2131.43"10.43"+1.1%60.6 mphCompare
225/55R2130.74"8.86"−1.1%59.3 mphCompare
275/45R2130.74"10.83"−1.1%59.3 mphCompare
295/45R2131.45"11.61"+1.1%60.7 mphCompare
245/50R2130.65"9.65"−1.5%59.1 mphCompare
335/40R2131.55"13.19"+1.5%60.9 mphCompare
305/40R2130.61"12.01"−1.6%59.1 mphCompare

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

SizeWheelDiameterDifference
295/65R1616"31.10"0.0%Compare
235/60R2020"31.10"0.0%Compare
275/65R1717"31.07"−0.1%Compare
255/85R1414"31.07"−0.1%Compare
255/80R1515"31.06"−0.1%Compare
225/85R1616"31.06"−0.1%Compare
255/75R1616"31.06"−0.1%Compare
255/70R1717"31.06"−0.1%Compare
255/65R1818"31.05"−0.2%Compare
255/60R1919"31.05"−0.2%Compare
255/55R2020"31.04"−0.2%Compare
275/70R1616"31.16"+0.2%Compare

One size up or down

Compare 285/45R21 with another size

With 295/45R21 tires, when your speedometer says 60 mph you are really going

60.7 mph

295/45R21 is +0.35 inches (+1.1%) in overall diameter. That is within the 3% most shops and makers allow.

285/45R21295/45R21Difference%
Overall diameter31.10"31.45"+0.35"+1.1%
Section width11.22"11.61"+0.39"+3.5%
Sidewall height5.05"5.23"+0.18"+3.5%
Circumference97.70"98.81"+1.11"+1.1%
Revolutions per mile648.5641.2−7.3−1.1%

Questions

How tall is a 285/45R21 tire?
A 285/45R21 tire is 31.1 inches tall (790 mm), calculated from the size. It is 11.2 inches wide with 5.0 inches sidewalls. Real tires vary by a few tenths of an inch between brands and tread patterns.
What does 285/45R21 mean?
285/45R21 means a tire 285 mm wide, with sidewalls 45% as tall as the tire is wide (128 mm), radial construction (R), for a 21 inch wheel.
How many revolutions per mile does a 285/45R21 tire make?
About 649 revolutions per mile, based on a circumference of 97.7 inches. Under load the tire flattens slightly, so the maker's published figure is usually a little higher.
What rim width fits a 285/45R21 tire?
Roughly 9.5" to 11.0". Check the tire maker's approved rim range for the exact model before buying wheels.
Can I use 255/50R21 instead of 285/45R21?
255/50R21 is −0.06 inches (−0.2%) in overall diameter, so at an indicated 60 mph you would be doing 59.9 mph. Differences under 3% are usually fine, but check clearance, load index and your vehicle's placard.

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