19-inch rim · tyre size comparison

295/35 R19 vs 305/30 R19

305/30 R19 is 23.5 mm (0.93 in) shorter than 295/35 R19, a -3.41% difference in overall diameter. That is just outside the ±3% limit commonly used to screen a tire size change, so expect a noticeable speedometer error; it is a nominal calculation, not a fitment approval.

Diameter difference
-23.5 mm
-0.93 in · -3.41%
Indicated 70 mph
67.6 mph
Actual speed on 305/30 R19, if the speedometer was accurate on 295/35 R19.
Sidewall height
-11.75 mm
103.25 mm to 91.5 mm.
Compare in the calculator295/35 R19 size guide305/30 R19 size guideSpeedometerWhat changes

Dimensions side by side

295/35 R19 and 305/30 R19 dimensions
Measurement295/35 R19305/30 R19Difference
Overall diameter689.1 mm27.13 in665.6 mm26.2 in-23.5 mm (-3.41%)-0.93 in
Section width295 mm11.61 in305 mm12.01 in+10 mm+0.39 in
Sidewall height103.25 mm4.06 in91.5 mm3.6 in-11.75 mm-0.46 in
Circumference2,164.87 mm85.23 in2,091.04 mm82.32 in-73.83 mm-2.91 in
Rim diameter482.6 mm19 in482.6 mm19 in0 mm0 in
Revolutions per mile743.39769.64+26.25
Revolutions per km461.92478.23+16.31
295/35 R19305/30 R19
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 305/30 R19

If the speedometer was accurate on 295/35 R19, fitting 305/30 R19 means the car is travelling 3.41% slower than it shows, and the odometer over-records distance by about the same amount.

Indicated speed versus calculated road speed on 305/30 R19
Speedometer showsActual on 305/30 R19Difference
30 mph28.98 mph-1.02 mph
50 mph48.29 mph-1.71 mph
60 mph57.95 mph-2.05 mph
70 mph67.61 mph-2.39 mph
50 km/h48.29 km/h-1.71 km/h
100 km/h96.59 km/h-3.41 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 295/35 R19 to 305/30 R19

  • Wheels

    Both fit 19-inch wheels. Our rim-width starting estimate is 9.5 to 10.5 inches for 295/35 R19 and 9.5 to 10.5 inches for 305/30 R19, so a 9.5 to 10.5-inch wheel sits in both ranges. The exact tyre's approved rim range takes priority.

  • Sidewall and ride comfort

    305/30 R19 has 11.75 mm less sidewall (91.5 vs 103.25 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

    305/30 R19 is 10 mm wider in nominal section width (3.4%). 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 -11.8 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 +3.53%: 3,000 rpm at a given road speed becomes about 3,110 rpm. Gearing gets noticeably 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 3.4% diameter gap, never mix 295/35 R19 and 305/30 R19 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 305/30 R19 instead of 295/35 R19?

Both fit 19-inch wheels. The diameter difference is -3.41%, just outside the ±3% screening limit, so most fitters would treat it as a different size class rather than a direct replacement. 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 305/30 R19 than 295/35 R19?

Overall diameter is 23.5 mm (0.93 in) smaller: 665.6 vs 689.1 mm. Section width is 10 mm wider, and the sidewall is 11.75 mm shorter. These are nominal figures; real tyres vary by model and rim width.

Will 305/30 R19 change my speedometer reading?

Yes, by 3.41%. If the speedometer was accurate on 295/35 R19, an indicated 60 mph would be about 58 mph on 305/30 R19, and an indicated 100 km/h about 96.6 km/h. You would be going slower than the speedometer shows.

Which is better, 295/35 R19 or 305/30 R19?

Neither in general. 295/35 R19 has the taller sidewall, which usually rides more comfortably; 305/30 R19 usually steers more sharply. 305/30 R19 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.