Tire load index chart and speed rating chart in one place
This tire load index chart lists the maximum load in kilograms and pounds for every load index from 0 to 279, next to a speed rating chart for every symbol from A1 to Y. Type the code from your sidewall — 91V, 94Y XL or a whole size such as 205/55 R16 91V — and it decodes the tire load index and speed rating for you and highlights both rows.
It also answers the reverse question: enter your vehicle’s heaviest axle load and it tells you the lowest load index that will carry it, with options for dual rear wheels and for passenger tyres fitted to a light truck.
How to use the load index and speed rating chart
- Find the service description after the size on the tyre — for example 91V in 205/55 R16 91V.
- Type it, or the whole size, into Decode a tyre’s rating to see the load per tyre, the total for four tyres and the maximum speed.
- To check a replacement, enter the heaviest axle load (GAWR) from the door-pillar sticker or handbook in kg or lb.
- Read the minimum load index, and compare it with the tyres you are considering.
Tyre Load Index & Speed Rating Chart features
Complete load index chart
Indexes 0–279 with kg and lb, scrollable and highlighted as you type.
Every speed symbol
A1 to Y in km/h and mph, plus VR, ZR and bracketed (Y) ratings.
Reads real sidewall codes
Single and dual indexes such as 121/118S, XL, LT and full sizes.
Load index you need
From the axle load, with dual wheels and the USTMA 1.10 factor for passenger tyres on LT axles.
Shared engine
Uses the same tables as the tyre size calculator.
Tire load index meaning
The load index is a code for the maximum mass one tyre can carry at the reference inflation pressure and its rated speed. It is not a mass itself: index 91 means 615 kg (1,356 lb), 94 means 670 kg and 100 means 800 kg. Multiply by four for a rough total for the car, but what matters is each axle — two tyres must carry the heaviest axle load.
An XL (extra load or reinforced) tyre has a higher index for the same size, but only reaches it at a higher pressure: European tables use 2.5 bar (250 kPa) for standard-load and 2.9 bar (290 kPa) for extra-load passenger tyres. Two numbers such as 121/118 give the load for a single tyre and for each tyre in a twin (dual) fitment.
Common load indexes and speed ratings
| Load index | kg | lb | Speed symbol | km/h | mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 475 | 1,047 | Q | 160 | 99 |
| 88 | 560 | 1,235 | S | 180 | 112 |
| 91 | 615 | 1,356 | T | 190 | 118 |
| 94 | 670 | 1,477 | H | 210 | 130 |
| 98 | 750 | 1,653 | V | 240 | 149 |
| 102 | 850 | 1,874 | W | 270 | 168 |
| 110 | 1,060 | 2,337 | Y | 300 | 186 |
Speed rating rules of thumb
- Letters run in order except H, which sits between U (200 km/h) and V (240 km/h) at 210 km/h.
- ZR in the size (225/45 ZR17) means rated above 240 km/h; the symbol after the load index (W, Y) gives the limit, and a bracketed one such as (Y) means above 300 km/h.
- Fit tyres with at least the speed rating in the handbook. Some countries allow lower-rated winter tyres if a warning label is in the driver’s view.
- The rating is tested at the full load and correct pressure; under-inflation and overloading reduce what the tyre can safely do.
Tyre Load Index & Speed Rating Chart FAQ
What does 91V mean on a tire?
Load index 91 means the tyre can carry up to 615 kg (1,356 lb); speed symbol V means it is rated up to 240 km/h (149 mph).
How do I read the tire load index chart?
Find the number after the size on your tyre in the left column and read the kilograms or pounds beside it. That is the maximum for one tyre.
Can I use a higher load index than my original tyres?
Yes. A higher load index carries more and is fine as long as the size and speed rating suit the car. A lower index than the placard is not recommended.
What does XL mean on a tyre?
Extra load, or reinforced: the tyre carries more than a standard-load tyre of the same size, at a higher pressure. Follow the vehicle or tyre maker’s pressure for the load you carry.
Is a speed rating a top speed I can drive at?
It is the speed the tyre is certified to sustain under test conditions at its rated load and pressure. Road speed limits, worn tyres, damage and heavy loads all mean driving well below it.
What load index do I need for my car?
Divide the heaviest axle load on the door-pillar sticker by two, then pick an index that carries at least that much — or enter the axle load above and let the chart do it.