Tire size can be confusing. Some numbers on the sidewall are listed in millimeters while others are inches. Plus, the right size for your car, truck, or trailer can differ depending on where and how you drive.
You can see your original equipment tire size in your owner’s manual or on the placard generally located on the driver’s side door jam. This is the sizing recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
If you’re interested in switching out your tires for a different look or performance, a good place to start is the numbers and other indicators on your existing tires’ sidewall. Next, have a tire professional help you determine a tire size range that will fit your vehicle and driving needs.
Here’s what those numbers and indicators on the sidewall indicate and how to understand them:
A: TIRE TYPE The first 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.
LT means light truck tire, designed for vehicles that are 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 fifth wheels and other travel trailers, as well as boat and utility trailers.
If there’s no letter before the first number, you have a metric tire most commonly referred to as European size. It’s also measured in millimeters but may have a different load capacity than a P or LT tire.
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 “profile” 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.
R is for radial tires, the industry standard for most tires today. They have better road grip, lower rolling resistance for better gas mileage, 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 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.
Some run-flat tires are identified with an F followed by the type of internal construction.
E: WHEEL DIAMETER This two-digit number specifies 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 specifies tire load index. The load index symbol indicates how much weight a tire can support, based on the following standard chart. In our example, the load index is 89, which indicates the tire has a load capacity of 1,279 pounds, when inflated to the tire’s maximum air pressure rating.
G: SPEED RATING The last letter is the tire speed rating. This indicates the top speed it’s safe to travel at 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 you will find several charts that will help you understand tire sizing numbers, including a load index chart and speed rating chart.
A tire size calculator is a quick way to see whether the tire size you’re considering will likely fit your car, SUV, sports car, light truck or crossover.
But remember that 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 stiffer or noisier ride.
If you’re considering mounting a different tire size on your vehicle, check with a tire expert. Find out whether the tires and wheels you have your eye on are the right fit for your vehicle’s suspension, gearing, and bodywork. And ask how any differences in revolutions per mile, tire speed, load index, and speed rating will affect your ride quality and vehicle performance.
See how new tires and rims will look on your car or truck using our Virtual Wheels simulator, available at any Les Schwab.
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When shopping for tires online, you’ll notice the terms load index, load range, and speed rating included within the technical specifications. (You can find these numbers and letters on your existing tires, located after the size of the tire.
) Understanding the meaning of load index and load range can help you find the right tire for your vehicle and your needs. As always, the experts at Les Schwab can answer all of your questions about what tires are right for you, but in this quick article, we’ll cover some of the basics of these indicators.
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The load index of a tire is a number that correlates to the maximum safe carrying capacity of the tire when it’s inflated to its maximum pressure. Higher load index ratings mean your tires will be able to handle a heavier load. In this example, there are two numbers. The higher number (load index) is for single rear-wheel applications. The lower number is for dual-wheel applications. This indicates its load-carrying capacity when inflated to its maximum pressure. Remember, air pressure is what carries the load in a tire. You can find each tire’s carrying capacity with the chart below.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| LOAD INDEX | LOAD (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 65 | 639 |
| 66 | 661 |
| 67 | 677 |
| 68 | 694 |
| 69 | 716 |
| 70 | 739 |
| 71 | 761 |
| 72 | 783 |
| 73 | 805 |
| 74 | 827 |
| 75 | 853 |
| 76 | 882 |
| 77 | 908 |
| 78 | 937 |
| 79 | 963 |
| 80 | 992 |
| 81 | 1019 |
| 82 | 1047 |
| 83 | 1074 |
| 84 | 1102 |
| 85 | 1135 |
| 86 | 1168 |
| 87 | 1201 |
| 88 | 1235 |
| 89 | 1279 |
| 90 | 1323 |
| 91 | 1356 |
| 92 | 1389 |
| 93 | 1433 |
| 94 | 1477 |
| 95 | 1521 |
| 96 | 1565 |
| 97 | 1609 |
| 98 | 1653 |
| 99 | 1709 |
| 100 | 1764 |
| 101 | 1819 |
| 102 | 1874 |
| 103 | 1929 |
| 104 | 1984 |
| 105 | 2039 |
| 106 | 2094 |
| 107 | 2149 |
| 108 | 2205 |
| 109 | 2271 |
| 110 | 2337 |
| 111 | 2403 |
| 112 | 2469 |
| 113 | 2535 |
| 114 | 2601 |
| 115 | 2679 |
| 116 | 2756 |
| 117 | 2833 |
| 118 | 2910 |
| 119 | 2998 |
| 120 | 3086 |
| 121 | 3197 |
| 122 | 3307 |
| 123 | 3417 |
| 124 | 3527 |
| 125 | 3638 |
| 126 | 3748 |
| 127 | 3858 |
| 128 | 3968 |
| 129 | 4079 |
| 130 | 4189 |
| 131 | 4299 |
| 132 | 4409 |
| 133 | 4541 |
| 134 | 4674 |
| 135 | 4806 |
| 136 | 4938 |
| 137 | 5071 |
| 138 | 5203 |
| 139 | 5357 |
| 140 | 5512 |
| 141 | 5677 |
| 142 | 5842 |
| 143 | 6008 |
| 144 | 6173 |
| 145 | 6393 |
| 146 | 6614 |
| 147 | 6779 |
| 148 | 6944 |
| 149 | 7165 |
| 150 | 7385 |
On some tires, you’ll see a load range indicator on the sidewall, as shown here.
Load Range is an older measure of tire carrying capacity equivalent to
ply rating. The ply rating isn’t directly tied to the number of plies used in construction, so we recommend using Load Index when
appropriate. Load ranges are arranged in alphabetical order starting with the letter “A”. The ply ratings (load range) combined with the tire size tell you the tire load capacity.
The load range on replacement tires must meet or exceed the recommendation on your vehicle’s door placard or owner’s manual. It can be higher than recommended but never lower.
| LOAD RANGE | PLY RATING |
|---|---|
| A | 2 |
| B | 4 |
| C | 6 |
| D | 8 |
| E | 10 |
| F | 12 |
Les Schwab Tip: Some cars, including electric vehicles, may require tires with a higher load range due to weight with and without passengers.
If this seems confusing. Don’t worry. The pros at Les Schwab will show you all of your options, including the size, load range, and load index you need for work, weekends, or your daily commute.
Tire and wheel size matching is an important step towards safety and driving comfort for any driver. A frivolous attitude to this issue is fraught with serious consequences, both for the technical condition of the vehicle, and for the health and life of drivers and passengers. Consider this problem on SUVs, crossovers or pickup trucks of various classes. Of course, here the size range is not so large, which makes it easier to select discs for tires. To begin with, it is worth recalling what indicators are important when deciding whether tires and wheels match:
Wheel marking with dimensions R13 4x98 ET35 J5 D58.6
The table below lists almost all off-road vehicle wheel sizes.
We remind you that on our website there is also an option for selecting discs by car brand . Also on our website there is similar information regarding passenger cars .
Tire and wheel matching table
| Wheel diameter | Tire size | Wheel rim width (inches) | ||
| Minimum | Recommended | Maximum | ||
| 16" | 7.50R16 | 5.50 | 6.00 | 6.50 |
| 235/85R16 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 7.5 | |
| 15" | 195/80R15 | 5. 0 | 5.5 | 6.5 |
| 215/80R15 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 7.0 | |
| 16" | 205/80R16 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 7.0 |
| 215/80R16 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 7.0 | |
| 15" | 215/75R15 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 7.0 |
| 225/75R15 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 7.5 | |
| 235/75R15 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 8.0 | |
| 255/75R15 | 6. 5 | 7.0 | 8.5 | |
| 16" | 225/75R16 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 7.5 |
| 15" | 195/70R15 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| 205/70R15 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | |
| 265/70R15 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | |
| 16" | 215/70R16 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
| 225/70R16 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 7.5 | |
| 235/70R16 | nine0033 6.7.0 | 8.0 | ||
| 245/70R16 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 8.0 | |
| 265/70R16 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | |
| 275/70R16 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | |
| 17" | 225/70R17 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 7.5 |
| 265/70R17 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | |
| 15" | 185/65R15 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 6.5 |
| 16" | 215/65R16 | 6. 0 | nine0033 6.5 7.5 | |
| 255/65R16 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 9.0 | |
| 17" | 235/65R17 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 8.5 |
| 245/65R17 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.5 | |
| 265/65R17 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 9.5 | |
| 275/65R17 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 9.5 | |
| 16" | 215/60R16 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 7.5 |
| 236/60R16 | 6. 5 | 7.0 | 8.5 | |
| 18" | 235/60R18 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 8.5 |
| 275/60R18 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 9.5 | |
| 285/60R18 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 10.0 | |
| 17" | 225/55R17 | nine0033 6.07.0 | 8.0 | |
| 235/55R17 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 8.5 | |
| 275/55R17 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 9.5 | |
| 18" | 255/55R18 | 7. 0 | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| 19" | 255/55R19 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| 275/55R19 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 9.5 | |
| 285/55R19 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 10.0 | |
| 17" | 255/50R17 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| 18" | 235/50R18 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 8.5 |
| 285/50R18 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 10.0 | |
| 19" | 255/50R19 | 7. 0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | nine0031
| 20" | 255/50R20 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| 275/50R20 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 9.5 | |
| 18" | 255/45R18 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 9.5 |
| 19" | nine0033 235/45R197.5 | 8.0 | 9.0 | |
| 275/45R19 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 10.5 | |
| 285/45R19 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 10.5 | |
| 20" | 265/45R20 | 8. 5 | 9.0 | nine0033 10.0|
| 19" | 255/40R19 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 10.0 |
| 20" | 275/40R20 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 11.0 |
| 20" | 315/35R20 | 10.5 | 11.0 | 12.5 |
| 21" | 285/35R21 | 9.5 | 10.0 | 11.0 |
| 22" | 285/35R22 | 9.5 | 10.0 | 11.0 |
| 21" | 325/30R21 | 11. 5 | 11.5 | 13.0 | nine0031
| 22" | 295/30R22 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 11.5 |
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| R12 | R13 | R14 | R15 | R16 | R17 | R18 | R19 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 R12 135/80 R12 155 R12 155/70 R12 | 135/70 R13 135/80 R13 145/70 R13 145/80 R13 155 R13 155/65 R13 155/70 R13 155/80 R13 165 R13 165/65 R13 165/70 RAR 175/65 R13 175/70 R13 185/60 R13 185/70 R13 185/75 R13 | 155/65 R14 155/70 R14 165/55 R14 165/60 R14 165/65 R14 165/70 R14 175 R14 175/60 R14 | 175/67 24 9 175/70 R14 175/80 R14 185 R14 185/55 R14 185/60 R14 185/65 R14 185/70 R14 185/80 R14 195 R14 195/60 R14 195/65 RA 195/70 R14 195/75 R14 195/80 R14 205 R14 205/70 R140872 31/10.  5 R15 31/11.5 R15 32/10 R15 32/11.5 R15 32/12.5 R15 33/10.5 R15 33/12.5 R15 35/12 145/65 R15 155/60 R15 165/60 R15 165/65 R15 175/50 R15 175/55 R15 175/60 R15 175/65 R15 175/80 R15 185 RA /55 R15 185/60 R15 185/65 R15 195 R15 195/45 R15 195/50 R15 195/55 R15 195/60 R15 R2 195/605/70 R15 195/75 R15 195/80 R15 205/50 R15 205/55 R15 205/60 R15 205/65 R15 205/70 R15 205/75 R15 215/65 R1 215/70 R15 215/75 R15 215/80 R15 215/90 R15 225/45 R15 225/60 R15 225/70 R15 225/75 R15 225/80 R15 225/85/85 RA 235/70 R15 235/75 R15 245/40 R15 245/75 R15 255/70 R15 265/70 R15 265/75 R15 | 7 R16 7.5 R16 35/12.5/120872 35/13.5 R16 37/12.5 R16 175 R16 175/60 R16 175/75 R16 175/80 R16 185/50 R16 185/55 R16 185/60 R16 185/72 18 /85 R16 195/40 R16 195/45 R16 195/50 R16 195/55 R16 195/60 R16 195/65 R16 195/70 R16 195/75 R16 205 R16 9 RAP R16 205/45 R16 205/50 R16 205/55 R16 205/60 R16 205/65 R16 205/70 R16 205/75 R16 205/80 R16 215/45 R16 215/55 R16 215/60 R16 215/65 R16 215/70 R16 215/75 R16 215/80 R16 215/85 R16 225/45 R16 225/50 RALS 225/60 R16 225/65 R16 225/70 R16 225/75 R16 235/60 R16 235/65 R16 235/70 R16 235/75 R16 235/85 R16 24/A 245/75 R16 255/65 R16 255/70 R16 255/85 R16 265/70 R16 265/75 R16 275/60 R16 | /70 R16 | RAB nine0872 315/75 R16 | 33/12. 5 R17 35/12.5 R17 37/12.5 R17 39/13.5 R17 40/13.5 R17 185/45 R17 195/40 R17 195/4 R1 R17 205/45 R17 205/50 R17 205/55 R17 205/60 R17 205/65 R17 205/70 R17 215/35 R17 215/40 R17 215/45 R17 21 R17 215/55 R17 215/60 R17 215/65 R17 215/70 R17 225/45 R17 225/50 R17 225/55 R17 225/60 R17 225/65 R17 225/75 R17 235/40 R17 235/45 R17 235/50 R17 235/55 R17 235/60 R17 235/65 R17 235/70 R17 235/75 R17 2333/33 245/40 R17 245/45 R17 245/50 R17 245/55 R17 245/65 R17 245/70 R17 245/75 R17 255/40 R17 255/45 R17 255/AS 255/65 R17 255/70 R17 255/75 R17 265/60 R17 265/65 R17 265/70 R17 275/55 R17 | /65 R17 9085 R17 285/ nine0872 295/70 R17 305/65 R17 305/70 R17 315/70 R17 | 33/12. 5 R18 195/60 R18 205/40 R18 215/35 R18 215/40 R18/45/45/ R18 215/50 R18 215/55 R18 215/60 R18 225/35 R18 225/40 R18 225/45 R18 225/50 R18 225/55 R18 225/60 R18 225/ R18 235/40 R18 235/45 R18 235/50 R18 235/55 R18 235/60 R18 235/65 R18 245/35 R18 245/40 R18 245/45 RAB0872 245/50 R18 245/60 R18 255/35 R18 255/40 R18 255/45 R18 255/50 R18 255/55 R18 255/60 R18 255/65 R18 255/ 255/AMI 265/ 275/65 R18 275/70 R18 285/35 R18 285/50 R18 285/55 R18 285/60 R18 285/65 R18 285/75 R18 295/30 RA nine0026 | 155/70 R19 205/55 R19 215/35 R19 215/50 R19 225/35 R19 225/40 R19 225/45 R19 225/50 RAP R19 235/35 R19 235/40 R19 235/45 R19 235/50 R19 235/55 R19 235/60 R19 235/65 R19 245/30 R19 245/35 R19 24L R19 245/45 R19 245/50 R19 245/55 R19 255/30 R19 255/35 R19 255/40 R19 255/45 R19 255/50 R19 255/55 R19 255/ R19 265/30 R19 265/35 R19 265/40 R19 265/45 R19 265/50 R19 265/55 R19 275/30 R19 275/35 R19 275/4/4/44 RA 275/50 R19 275/55 R19 285/30 R19 285/35 R19 285/40 R19 285/45 R19 295/30 R19 295/35 R19 295/4/44 RA 305/30 R19 325/30 R19 |
| R20 | R21 | R23 | R24 |
|---|---|---|
33/12. 5 R20 35/12.5 R20 37/13.5 R20 40/13.5 R20 155/60 R20 195/55 R20/5 R20/20 R20/20/20 225/35 R20 225/40 R20 235/30 R20 235/35 R20 235/40 R20 235/45 R20 235/50 R20 235/55 R20 235/60 R20 245/30 R20 245/35R20 245/40R20 245/45R20 245/50R20 245/55R20 245/60R20 255/30R20 255/35 R20 255/40 R20 255/45 R20 255/50 R20 255/55 R20 255/60 R20 265/30 R20 265/35 R20 265/40 R20 265/45 R20 265/50 R20 265/55 R20 265/60 R20 265/65 R20 275/30 R20 275/35 R20 275/40 R20 275/45 R20 275/50 R20 | 275 275/5 R20 R20 R20 R20 R20 R20 275/60 R20 275/65 R20 285/25 R20 285/30 R20 285/35 R20 285/40 R20 285/45 R20 285/50 R20 295/25 R20 295/30 R20 R20 R20 R20 r20 nine0872 295/35 R20 295/40 R20 295/45 R20 305/25 R20 305/30 R20 305/35 R20 305/40 R20 305/50 R20 315/35 R20 325/25 R20 325/ R21 255/30 R21 255/35 R21 255/40 R21 255/45 R21 255/50 R21 265/35 R21 265/40 R21 265/45 R21 275/25 R21 275/ R21 275/35 R21 275/40 R21 275/45 R21 275/50 R21 285/30 R21 285/35 R21 285/40 R21 285/45 R21 295/25 R21 295/30 R21 295/ 325/30 r21 325/40 R21 355/25 R21 | 37/12.  |
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