How to read your tyre?
Tyre service type ratings
Most tyre sizes begin with one or more letters — for example, P or LT. The letter tells us what type of vehicle or service the tyre was designed for.
P = P-Metric (Example: P215/65R17 98T)
P-Metric tyres are the most common type of tyre. The P stands for passenger vehicle, meaning that these tyres are designed for use on passenger vehicles like cars, minivans, light-duty pickup trucks (¼ ton or ½ ton capacity), and SUVs.
Metric / Euro-Metric (Example: 185/65R15 88T)
Metric tyres, also known as Euro-Metric tyres because the sizing originated in Europe, don’t have a letter designation. Euro-Metric sizes are equivalent to P-Metric sizes in dimensions, but Euro-Metric sizes have subtle differences in their load-carrying ratings and capabilities. Euro-Metric tyres are usually found on European cars, but they’re also used frequently used on SUVs and vans.
LT - Light Truck (prefix) (Example: LT235/75R15 104/101S/C)
Light Truck Metric tyres sizes begin with the letters LT. These tyres are designed for use on vehicles used to tow trailers or carry heavy loads. This includes SUVs, full-size vans, and medium-duty and heavy-duty pickup trucks with ¾ ton to 1-ton capacity.


LT - Light Truck (suffix) (Example: 9.5-16.5 LT121/117R)
These tyres are made for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty pickup trucks (typically ½ ton, ¾ ton or 1-ton load capacity), sport utility vehicles, and vans.
When a tyre’s descriptor ends in LT, it falls into one of three light truck categories:
Numeric:
Earlier numeric sizes are designed to carry heavy cargo loads and/or tow trailers.
Wide base:
Wide base tyres are also designed to carry heavy cargo loads and/or tow trailers on a wheel rim with a diameter of 16.5 inches.
Flotation:
Flotation tyres are wider, oversized tyres designed to carry heavy cargo loads and/or tow trailers on loose surfaces such as sand, gravel, or dirt.

When a tyre’s descriptor ends in LT, it falls into one of three light truck categories:
Numeric:
Earlier numeric sizes are designed to carry heavy cargo loads and/or tow trailers.
Wide base:
Wide base tyres are also designed to carry heavy cargo loads and/or tow trailers on a wheel rim with a diameter of 16.5 inches.
Flotation:
Flotation tyres are wider, oversized tyres designed to carry heavy cargo loads and/or tow trailers on loose surfaces such as sand, gravel, or dirt.

T = Temporary Spare (Example: T145/70R17 106M)
If the tyre size begins with a T, it means that the tyre is a temporary spare. Also known as mini spares or space savers, temporary spares are designed for short-term use until the regular tyre is repaired or replaced.
ST - Special Trailer (Example: ST175/80R13)
Tyres beginning with ST are special trailer tyres and should only be used on car, boat, or utility trailers.
C = Commercial (Example: 31x10.50R15/ C109R)
Euro-Metric tyre sizes ending with a C are commercial tyres, for use on delivery trucks and vans capable of carrying heavy loads. In addition to the C designation, these sizes are also branded with a load range and service description rating (load range B, C, or D).
OTR Tyre Classifications
4 main categories for Off the Road (OTR) Tyres
C = compactor (compactor rollers)
G = grader (grader)
E = earthmoving (transportation equipment)
L = loader and bulldozer (loader and bulldozer)
C = compactor (compactor rollers)
G = grader (grader)
E = earthmoving (transportation equipment)
L = loader and bulldozer (loader and bulldozer)
Within these four categories, they are further catergozied according to the depth of thread.
1 = smooth/treadless
2 = traction (normal tread depth)
3 = normal (normal tread depth)
4 = deep (deep tread)
5 = very deep (very deep tread)
6 = lotation (normal tread depth)
Metric Conversions
|
Speed Symbols
Speed Symbol |
Speed (km/h) |
Speed (mph) |
A1 | 5 | 3 |
A2 | 10 | 6 |
A3 | 15 | 9 |
A4 | 20 | 12 |
A5 | 25 | 16 |
A6 | 30 | 19 |
A8 | 40 | 25 |
B | 50 | 31 |
C | 60 | 37 |
D | 65 | 40 |
E | 70 | 43 |
F | 80 | 50 |
G | 90 | 56 |
J | 100 | 62 |
K | 110 | 68 |
L | 120 | 75 |
M | 130 | 81 |
N | 140 | 87 |
P | 150 | 94 |
Q | 160 | 100 |
R | 170 | 106 |
S | 180 | 112 |
T | 190 | 118 |
U | 200 | 124 |
H | 210 | 130 |
V | 240 | 149 |
W | 270 | 168 |
Y | 300 | 186 |
Load Index
The load index is a numerical code associated with the maximum load a tyre can carry at the speed indicated by its Speed Symbol under specified service conditions up to 210 kph. For speeds in excess of 210 kph consult with tyre retailer.
Load Index | Pounds (lbs) | Kilograms | Load Index | Pounds (lbs) | Kilograms | |
71 | 761 | 345 | 91 | 1356 | 615 | |
72 | 783 | 355 | 92 | 1389 | 630 | |
73 | 805 | 265 | 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 | 420 | 98 | 1653 | 750 | |
79 | 963 | 437 | 99 | 1709 | 775 | |
80 | 992 | 450 | 100 | 1764 | 800 | |
81 | 1019 | 462 | 101 | 1819 | 820 | |
82 | 1047 | 475 | 102 | 1874 | 850 | |
83 | 1074 | 487 | 103 | 1929 | 875 | |
84 | 1102 | 500 | 104 | 1984 | 900 | |
85 | 1135 | 515 | 105 | 2039 | 920 | |
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 |