Tyre Load Index & Speed Rating: The Complete Table
WHEELS 'N CUSTOMS
ULTIMATE GUIDE: LOAD INDEX & SPEED RATING OF CAR TYRES
Load Index and Speed Rating of Car Tyres Explained
When choosing new tyres for your wheels you not only look at the tyre size (for example 225/40 R18), but also at the load index (carrying capacity) and the speed rating. These codes are printed on the tyre sidewall and determine how much weight and which maximum speed the tyre can safely withstand.
1. Load Index (Tyre Carrying Capacity)
The load index is a number that indicates the maximum load in kilograms per tyre. The combined tyre load of the two tyres on one axle must be at least equal to the maximum axle load of your car.
Index
Weight
Index
Weight
Index
Weight
Index
Weight
20
80 kg
55
218 kg
79
437 kg
101
825 kg
22
85 kg
58
236 kg
80
450 kg
102
850 kg
24
85 kg
59
243 kg
81
462 kg
103
875 kg
26
90 kg
60
250 kg
82
475 kg
104
900 kg
28
100 kg
61
257 kg
83
487 kg
105
925 kg
30
106 kg
62
265 kg
84
500 kg
106
950 kg
31
109 kg
63
272 kg
85
515 kg
107
975 kg
33
115 kg
64
280 kg
86
530 kg
108
1000 kg
35
121 kg
65
290 kg
87
545 kg
109
1030 kg
37
128 kg
66
300 kg
88
560 kg
110
1060 kg
40
136 kg
67
307 kg
89
580 kg
111
1090 kg
41
145 kg
68
315 kg
90
600 kg
112
1120 kg
42
150 kg
69
325 kg
91
615 kg
113
1150 kg
44
160 kg
70
335 kg
92
630 kg
114
1180 kg
46
170 kg
71
345 kg
93
650 kg
115
1215 kg
47
175 kg
72
355 kg
94
670 kg
116
1250 kg
48
180 kg
73
365 kg
95
690 kg
117
1285 kg
50
190 kg
74
375 kg
96
710 kg
118
1320 kg
51
195 kg
75
387 kg
97
730 kg
119
1360 kg
52
200 kg
76
400 kg
98
750 kg
120
1400 kg
2. Speed Rating
The speed rating is a letter on the tyre sidewall that indicates the maximum speed for which the tyre has been safely tested.
Code
Max. Speed
Code
Max. Speed
Code
Max. Speed
A1
5 km/h
D
65 km/h
Q
160 km/h
A2
10 km/h
E
70 km/h
R
170 km/h
A3
15 km/h
F
80 km/h
S
180 km/h
A4
20 km/h
G
90 km/h
T
190 km/h
A5
25 km/h
J
100 km/h
U
200 km/h
A6
30 km/h
K
110 km/h
H
210 km/h
A7
35 km/h
L
120 km/h
V
240 km/h
A8
40 km/h
M
130 km/h
ZR
> 240 km/h
B
50 km/h
N
140 km/h
W
270 km/h
C
60 km/h
P
150 km/h
Y
300 km/h
Important Rules & Exceptions:
Are you allowed to fit a lower speed rating and/or load index? It is legally prohibited to fit tyres with a lower speed rating or load capacity than originally specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Fitting a higher index is of course permitted.
Exception for Winter Tyres: For winter tyres (M+S / 3PMSF) it is allowed to fit tyres with a speed rating one letter lower than your summer tyres (for example index H instead of V).
What is a ZR tyre? The designation ZR indicates that the tyre is suitable for speeds above 240 km/h. This concerns Ultra High Performance (UHP) tyres and encompasses the W and Y classes.
Discover More in Our Tyres & Wheels Knowledge Base:
Need new tyres or wheels? Have them fitted professionally and without scratches in our workshop in Nijkerk. Our experienced fitters ensure precise fitting including razor-sharp balancing and any TPMS sensor programming.
Our tyre specialists are happy to look with you directly for the correct coding for your vehicle.
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