22-inch rim · tyre size comparison

285/45 R22 vs 295/40 R22

295/40 R22 is 20.5 mm (0.81 in) shorter than 285/45 R22, a -2.51% difference in overall diameter. That is inside the ±3% limit commonly used to screen a tire size change; it is a nominal calculation, not a fitment approval.

Diameter difference
-20.5 mm
-0.81 in · -2.51%
Indicated 70 mph
68.2 mph
Actual speed on 295/40 R22, if the speedometer was accurate on 285/45 R22.
Sidewall height
-10.25 mm
128.25 mm to 118 mm.
Compare in the calculator285/45 R22 size guide295/40 R22 size guideSpeedometerWhat changes

Dimensions side by side

285/45 R22 and 295/40 R22 dimensions
Measurement285/45 R22295/40 R22Difference
Overall diameter815.3 mm32.1 in794.8 mm31.29 in-20.5 mm (-2.51%)-0.81 in
Section width285 mm11.22 in295 mm11.61 in+10 mm+0.39 in
Sidewall height128.25 mm5.05 in118 mm4.65 in-10.25 mm-0.4 in
Circumference2,561.34 mm100.84 in2,496.94 mm98.3 in-64.4 mm-2.54 in
Rim diameter558.8 mm22 in558.8 mm22 in0 mm0 in
Revolutions per mile628.32644.53+16.21
Revolutions per km390.42400.49+10.07
285/45 R22295/40 R22
Nominal diameters at the same scale. The inner circle is the rim.

Calculated from the nominal size codes, without load or tread wear. Real tyres vary by model, rim width and pressure, so the exact tyre's published dimensions take priority.

Speedometer with 295/40 R22

If the speedometer was accurate on 285/45 R22, fitting 295/40 R22 means the car is travelling 2.51% slower than it shows, and the odometer over-records distance by about the same amount.

Indicated speed versus calculated road speed on 295/40 R22
Speedometer showsActual on 295/40 R22Difference
30 mph29.25 mph-0.75 mph
50 mph48.74 mph-1.26 mph
60 mph58.49 mph-1.51 mph
70 mph68.24 mph-1.76 mph
50 km/h48.74 km/h-1.26 km/h
100 km/h97.49 km/h-2.51 km/h

UN ECE Regulation 39, used in the UK and EU, does not allow a speedometer to show less than the true speed, so many read slightly high from the factory. A shorter tyre adds to it. Calibration varies by car; these figures are the tyre-size effect only.

What changes from 285/45 R22 to 295/40 R22

  • Wheels

    Both fit 22-inch wheels. Our rim-width starting estimate is 9 to 10 inches for 285/45 R22 and 9.5 to 10.5 inches for 295/40 R22, so a 9.5 to 10-inch wheel sits in both ranges. The exact tyre's approved rim range takes priority.

  • Sidewall and ride comfort

    295/40 R22 has 10.25 mm less sidewall (118 vs 128.25 mm). A shorter sidewall usually sharpens steering response, but rides a little firmer and leaves the rim more exposed to potholes and kerbs.

  • Contact width

    295/40 R22 is 10 mm wider in nominal section width (3.5%). A wider tyre usually puts a wider, shorter contact patch on the road, which can help dry grip, but it may follow ruts more, clear standing water less readily and add some rolling resistance.

  • Wheel well clearance

    Ride height changes by about -10.3 mm, and the top of the tyre moves the same distance away from the arch. On the same wheel width and offset, each sidewall moves about 5 mm further out towards the arch lip and further in towards the suspension. Check clearance at full steering lock and full suspension compression, especially on a lowered car.

  • Gearing

    The effective final drive changes by +2.58%: 3,000 rpm at a given road speed becomes about 3,080 rpm. Gearing gets slightly shorter, so acceleration in each gear sharpens and cruising revs rise.

  • ABS, stability control and AWD

    These systems compare wheel speeds. Fit the same size on both ends of an axle; with a 2.5% diameter gap, never mix 285/45 R22 and 295/40 R22 on an AWD car, and follow the car maker's rolling-circumference limits, which can be much tighter than 3%.

General tendencies from the nominal numbers, not a test of any tyre. Load index, speed rating, tyre construction and the car's approved sizes matter more than these rules of thumb.

Cars in our guides using these sizes

Factory trims and popular community setups from our fitment guides. A popular setup is not a factory approval; each guide explains its trims, axles and clearance limits.

More comparisons

Questions

Can I use 295/40 R22 instead of 285/45 R22?

Both fit 22-inch wheels. The diameter difference is -2.51%, inside the ±3% screening limit. That does not approve fitment: check the car maker's approved sizes, load index, speed rating, rim width and clearance first.

How much bigger is 295/40 R22 than 285/45 R22?

Overall diameter is 20.5 mm (0.81 in) smaller: 794.8 vs 815.3 mm. Section width is 10 mm wider, and the sidewall is 10.25 mm shorter. These are nominal figures; real tyres vary by model and rim width.

Will 295/40 R22 change my speedometer reading?

Yes, by 2.51%. If the speedometer was accurate on 285/45 R22, an indicated 60 mph would be about 58.5 mph on 295/40 R22, and an indicated 100 km/h about 97.5 km/h. You would be going slower than the speedometer shows.

Which is better, 285/45 R22 or 295/40 R22?

Neither in general. 285/45 R22 has the taller sidewall, which usually rides more comfortably; 295/40 R22 usually steers more sharply. 295/40 R22 is wider, which can help dry grip; the narrower size is usually better in standing water and snow. The size listed for your car's trim, on its placard or in the handbook, is the safe default.

Check the exact tyre

Size codes give nominal dimensions. Before buying, confirm the size is approved for your car and check the exact tyre's load and speed ratings and published dimensions.