Read A Tire Sidwall

P: When a tire size begins with a “P”, it signifies the tire is a “P-metric” size that was designed to be fitted on vehicles that are primarily used as passenger cars. This includes cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks.

215: 215 indicates this tire is 215 millimeters across from the widest point of its outer sidewall to the widest point of its inner sidewall, when mounted and measured on a specified width wheel.

65R: The 65 indicates that this tire size’s sidewall height (from rim to tread) is 65% of its section width. The measurement is the tire’s section height, and also referred to as the tire’s series, profile or aspect ratio. A letter ”R” identifies the tire’s internal construction as “Radial construction”.

95H: At the end of the size represents the tire’s service description. A service description identifies the tire’s load index and speed rating. The first two digits, 95, represent the tire’s load index and are followed by a single letter, 95H, identifying the tire’s speed rating.

Tire Speed-Rating System

The speed-rating system in use today was developed in Europe in response to the need to control the safe performance of tires at standardized speeds. All tires are rated with a speed letter. This indicates the maximum speed that the tire can sustain for a ten minute endurance without coming to pieces and destroying itself, your car, the car next to you and anyone else within a suitable radius at the time.

Speed Symbol	Max Speed Capability		Speed Symbol	Max Speed Capability
Speed Symbol	Km/h	MPH	Speed Symbol	Km/h	MPH
L	120	75	S	180	113
M	130	81	T	190	118
N	140	87	U	200	125
P	150	95	H	210	130
Q	160	100	V	240	150
R	170	105	W	270	168
			Y	300	186
			Z	240+	150+

Tire Load Index

Load Index	Pounds	Kilograms	Load Index	Pounds	Kilograms
71	761	345	91	1356	615
72	783	355	92	1389	630
73	805	365	93	1433	650
74	827	375	94	1477	670
75	853	387	95	1521	690
76	882	400	96	1565	710
77	908	412	97	1609	730
78	937	425	98	1653	750
79	963	437	99	1709	775
80	992	450	100	1764	800
81	1019	462	101	1819	825
82	1047	475	102	1874	850
83	1074	487	103	1929	875
84	1102	500	104	1984	900
85	1135	515	105	2039	925
86	1168	530	106	2094	950
87	1201	545	107	2149	975
88	1235	560	108	2205	1000
89	1279	580	109	2271	1030
90	1323	600	110	2337	1060

Rims and Packages at Big Brand Wheels.com - Wholesale prices on our big selection of Custom Wheels and Car Rims!

Rims and Tires > Tire Tech > How to read a tire sidewell