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Tire Size Explained: What Do

The Numbers On The Side Of A
Tire Mean?
Whether you’re switching out your tires for a di�erent look or added performance, a good place to start your search for that new tread
is the sidewall on one of your existing tires. The numbers and letters on that sidewall represent everything from the tire type and width
to the aspect ratio, construction type, diameter, load index, and speed rating. Here’s how to read the sidewall on your tires.

Tire Size Meanings

The numbers and letters on the sidewall can be confusing. Here’s what each one means.

A: TIRE TYPE

The �rst letter in the code tells you what class of tire it is.

P stands for passenger vehicle tire. P-class tires include cars, SUVs, crossovers, minivans and smaller pickup trucks, as well as
EVs (electric vehicles). While the right load capacity can be achieved for electric vehicles with a standard passenger vehicle tire,
special EV tires may be available for some vehicles. Look for the letters EV on the sidewall.
LT means light truck tire, designed for vehicles capable of carrying heavy loads, towing trailers, or for those looking for an extra
heavy-duty option. These are often equipped on three-quarter or 1-ton trucks and SUVs.
ST stands for Special Trailer. These tire sizes are meant for trailers, including �fth wheels and other travel trailers, as well as boat
and utility trailers.

If there’s no letter before the �rst number, you have a metric tire most commonly referred to as European size. It’s also measured in
millimeters but may have a di�erent load capacity than a P or LT tire. Confused by all the numbers and letters? The pros at Les
Schwab can help.

B: TIRE WIDTH
The three-digit number following the letter is the tire’s width (from side to side, looking at the tire head-on) in millimeters. This may also
be referred to as the section width.

C: ASPECT RATIO

The forward slash separates the tire width number from the two-digit aspect ratio. The bigger the aspect ratio, the higher/taller the
tire’s sidewall, or “pro�le” as it’s sometimes called.

The aspect ratio is indicated on the tire sidewall as a percentage. It’s the height of the sidewall measured from wheel rim to top of the
tread, expressed as a percentage of tire width.

In this example, the aspect ratio is 65, meaning the sidewall is 65 percent as high as the tire is wide. To get the sidewall height, take
the tire width of 215 mm and convert it to inches (8.46). Then multiply this by 65% (.65). This gives you an answer of 5.5, the sidewall
height in inches.

D: CONSTRUCTION TYPE

This single letter tells you about the internal construction of the tire. These include radial and bias.

R: Radial Tires

R is for radial tires, the industry standard for most tires today. They have better road grip, lower rolling resistance for better gas
mileage or electric range, ride comfort and durability than previous generations of tires. In a radial tire, the plies — layers of strong
cords made of a blend of polyester, steel and fabric and coated with rubber — are laid perpendicular to the direction of travel.

D: Diagonal Plies or Bias-Constructed Tires

D is for tires built with diagonal (crisscrossed) plies, called bias-constructed tires. They are also called conventional, x-ply, or cross-
ply tires. Some motorcycle and trailer tires still use this internal construction.
E: WHEEL DIAMETER

This two-digit number speci�es wheel diameter in inches. It’s the distance between the two bead seat areas (where a tire gets tightly
sealed onto the wheel).

F: LOAD INDEX

The two-digit or three-digit number that follows the gap speci�es tire load index.

The load index symbol indicates how much weight a tire can support, based on the following standard chart (see below). In our
example, the load index is 89. This means the tire has a load capacity of 1,279 pounds, when in�ated to the tire’s maximum air
pressure rating.

Please note: Some run-�at tires are identi�ed with an F followed by the type of internal construction.

G: SPEED RATING

The last letter is the tire speed rating.

This indicates the top speed it’s safe to travel for a sustained amount of time. A tire with a higher speed rating can handle heat better
and provide more control at faster speeds. The maximum operating speed of a vehicle is no more than the lowest speed rating of all
tires mounted on the vehicle. (Of course, you should always abide by speed limits for safer driving.) Speed rating is usually, but not
always, a single letter (see the chart below).

Tire Size Charts

Below you will �nd several charts that will help you understand tire sizing numbers, including a load index chart and speed rating
chart.

LOAD INDEX
LOAD INDEX LOAD (lbs) LOAD INDEX LOAD (lbs) LOAD INDEX LOAD (lbs)
65 639 94 1477 123 3417
66 661 95 1521 124 3527
67 677 96 1565 125 3638
68 694 97 1609 126 3748
69 716 98 1653 127 3858
70 739 99 1709 128 3968
71 761 100 1764 129 4079
72 783 101 1819 130 4189
73 805 102 1874 131 4299
74 827 103 1929 132 4409
75 853 104 1984 133 4541
76 882 105 2039 134 4674
77 908 106 2094 135 4806
78 937 107 2149 136 4938
79 963 108 2205 137 5071
80 992 109 2271 138 5203
81 1019 110 2337 139 5357
82 1047 111 2403 140 5512
 LOAD INDEX LOAD (lbs) LOAD INDEX LOAD (lbs) LOAD INDEX LOAD (lbs)
83 1074 112 2469 141 5677
84 1102 113 2535 142 5842
85 1135 114 2601 143 6008
86 1168 115 2679 144 6173
87 1201 116 2756 145 6393
88 1235 117 2833 146 6614
89 1279 118 2910 147 6779
90 1323 119 2998 148 6944
91 1356 120 3086 149 7165
92 1389 121 3197 150 7385
93 1433 122 3307

SPEED RATING
SPEED SYMBOL SPEED (mph)
A1 3
A2 6
A3 9
A4 12
A5 16
A6 19
A7 22
A8 25
B 31
C 37
D 40
E 43
F 50
G 56
J 62
K 68
L 75
M 81
N 87
P 93
Q 99
R 106
S 112
T 118
U 124
H 130
V 149
W 168
ZR* Y 186
(Y) Above 186

*For tires having a maximum speed capability above 149 mph, a ZR may appear in the size designation... above 186 mph, a ZR must appear in the size
designation, including a Y speed symbol in brackets.

Buying New Wheels or Changing Your Tire

Size?
A tire size calculator is a quick way to ensure a new set of tires will �t your car, SUV, sports car, light truck or crossover. But remember,
this calculator is only an estimate. It’s important to stay within the sizing tolerances of your vehicle. Tires that are the wrong size could
cause some pull in the steering wheel, rub against the suspension or body of your vehicle, reduce clearance on hills, or result in a
sti�er or noisier ride.

If you’re considering mounting a di�erent tire size on your vehicle, stop by Les Schwab. We’ll help you make the right choice about the
tires and wheels for your vehicle’s suspension, gearing, and bodywork. See how new tires and rims will look on your car or truck. Start
shopping now.