How to Read Tire Size Information

Read metric sizes: 205/55R16 91V

Section Width : 205
The width of this tire size is 205mm wide. The first number in a metric tire size is the section width of the tire.

Aspect Ratio : 55
The aspect ratio on this tire size is 55. The sidewall height of a metric tire is 50% of the section width, which is known as the aspect ratio.

Tire Construction : R
The tire size is indicated by the letter R, which stands for radial construction. This construction method is widely used in the tire industry.

Wheel Diameter : 16
The wheel diameter of this tire size is 16 inches. The tire is designed to be mounted on an 16" wheel diameter.

Load Index : 91
The load index of this tire is 91 - 1356 lbs. It indicates the maximum weight the tire can handle. Higher numbers correspond to greater weight capacity.

Speed Rating : V
This tire size has a speed rating of V - 149 mph 240km/h. The letter 'V' indicates the maximum speed the tire can sustain.

Read inch sizes: 33X12.50R15LT C/6

Diameter : 33
The tire size has a diameter of 35 inches. The first number in a high flotation tire size represents the overall diameter.

Section Width : 12.50
The width of this tire size is 12.5 inches. The width of the tire in inches is indicated by the second number in a high flotation tire size.

Tire Construction : R
The tire construction of this tire size is R for radial. This letter is for how the tire is constructed. Radial is the standard construction method for almost all tires.

Wheel Diameter : 15
The wheel diameter of this tire size is 15 inches. This tire is specifically designed for mounting on a 15 inch wheel diameter.

Tire Class : LT
This tire size is classified as 'LT' which designates it as a Light Truck tire.

Load Range : E
Tire load range of this tire size is 'C' which means it has a 10 ply tread. Other load ranges include B: 4 ply, C: 6 ply and D: 8 ply.


Load Ratings Chart

Load
Index
Max lbs. Load
Index
Max lbs.
71 761 86 1168
72 783 87 1201
73 805 88 1235
74 827 89 1279
75 853 90 1323
76 882 91 1356
77 908 92 1389
78 937 93 1433
79 963 94 1477
80 992 95 1521
81 1019 96 1565
82 1047 97 1609
83 1074 98 1653
84 1102 99 1709
85 1135 100 1764
Load
Index
Max lbs. Load
Index
Max lbs.
101 1819 116 2756
102 1874 117 2833
103 1929 118 2910
104 1984 119 2998
105 2039 120 3086
106 2094 121 3197
107 2149 122 3307
108 2205 123 3417
109 2271 124 3527
110 2337 125 3638
111 2403 126 3748
112 2469 127 3858
113 2535 128 3968
114 2601 129 4079
115 2679 130 4189


LT Load Ranges

Load Range Ply Rating Max Load Pressure
B 4 35 psi
C 6 50 psi
D 8 65 psi
E 10 80 psi
F 12 95 psi

Passenger Load Ranges

Load Range Symbol Max Load Pressure
Light Load LL 35 psi
Standard Load SL 35/44 psi
Extra Load XL 41/50 psi

Speed Ratings

Letter Max
Speed
Vehicle Types
L 75 mph / 120 km/h Off-Road Tires
M 81 mph / 130 km/h Spares
N 87 mph / 140km/h Winter Tires
P 93 mph / 150 km/h Winter Tires
Q 99 mph / 160 km/h Light Truck
R 106 mph / 170 km/h Light Truck
S 112 mph / 180 km/h Light Truck
T 118 mph / 190 km/h Sedans
U 124 mph / 200 km/h Sedans
H 130 mph / 210 km/h Sports Cars
V 149 mph / 240 km/h Sports Cars
W 168 mph / 270 km/h High-Performance Cars
Y 186 mph / 300 km/h High-Performance Cars