What are tire ratings?
The sidewall of your tire has various alphanumeric markings that allow you to understand a number of things about it. (Learn how to read tire markings)
Part of this coding is the tire load rating and the tire speed rating, which are indicated by a number and a letter respectively.
There may be tire ratings written in your car owners manual or on the sticker in the driver's door. This information describes the tires recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.
Tire load rating
What is the tire load rating?
The tire load rating is a numerical code which corresponds to a maximum load (in kg) that can be carried by a single tire. The load rating and corresponding maximum tire loads are listed in a standard table.
To identify the maximum load your tire can carry, or the load index recommended by your vehicle manufacturer, simply do the following:
1 - Find the tire load rating
On the sidewall of your tire, you will find a string of numbers and letters that look like this:

You may also find them on the sticker on your driver's door or your vehicle owner’s manual.
These numbers and letters vary between tires. They indicate the tire dimensions, load and speed ratings.
Let's see what this coding means:
Tire width | Tire height | Internal tire diameter | Tire load rating | Tire speed rating |
205mm | 55% of the height/section ratio | 17” | 91 | V |
Note that tires of the same dimension can have different tire load and speed ratings. This is why it is important to understand the dimension, tire speed and tire load rating before replacing tires.
In this example, the tire load rating is 91.
2 - Tire load rating chart
Once you have noted the tire load rating, you can find the maximum single tire load that it refers to by consulting this table:
Load Index | Maximum Load (kg) | Maximum Load (Lbs) |
71 | 345 kg | 761 lbs |
72 | 355 kg | 783 lbs |
73 | 365 kg | 805 lbs |
74 | 375 kg | 827 lbs |
75 | 387 kg | 853 lbs |
76 | 400 kg | 882 lbs |
77 | 412 kg | 908 lbs |
78 | 425 kg | 937 lbs |
79 | 437 kg | 963 lbs |
80 | 450 kg | 992 lbs |
81 | 462 kg | 1019 lbs |
82 | 475 kg | 1047 lbs |
83 | 487 kg | 1074 lbs |
84 | 500 kg | 1102 lbs |
85 | 515 kg | 1135 lbs |
86 | 530 kg | 1168 lbs |
87 | 545 kg | 1201 lbs |
88 | 560 kg | 1235 lbs |
89 | 580 kg | 1279 lbs |
90 | 600 kg | 1323 lbs |
91 | 615 kg | 1356 lbs |
92 | 630 kg | 1389 lbs |
93 | 650 kg | 1433 lbs |
94 | 670 kg | 1477 lbs |
95 | 690 kg | 1521 lbs |
96 | 710 kg | 1565 lbs |
97 | 730 kg | 1609 lbs |
98 | 750 kg | 1653 lbs |
99 | 775 kg | 1709 lbs |
100 | 800 kg | 1764 lbs |
101 | 825 kg | 1819 lbs |
102 | 850 kg | 1874 lbs |
103 | 875 kg | 1929 lbs |
104 | 900 kg | 1984 lbs |
Load Index | Load per tire in kg | Load Index | Load per tire in kg | Load Index | Load per tire in kg |
70 | 335 | 87 | 545 | 104 | 900 |
71 | 345 | 88 | 560 | 105 | 925 |
72 | 355 | 89 | 580 | 106 | 950 |
73 | 365 | 90 | 600 | 107 | 975 |
74 | 375 | 91 | 615 | 108 | 1000 |
75 | 387 | 92 | 630 | 109 | 1030 |
76 | 400 | 93 | 650 | 110 | 1060 |
77 | 412 | 94 | 670 | 111 | 1090 |
78 | 425 | 95 | 690 | 112 | 1120 |
79 | 437 | 96 | 710 | 113 | 1150 |
80 | 450 | 97 | 730 | 114 | 1180 |
81 | 462 | 98 | 750 | 115 | 1215 |
82 | 475 | 99 | 775 | 116 | 1250 |
83 | 487 | 100 | 800 | 117 | 1285 |
84 | 500 | 101 | 825 | 118 | 1320 |
85 | 515 | 102 | 850 | 119 | 1360 |
86 | 530 | 103 | 875 | 120 | 1400 |
In our example, we see that the tire load rating of 91 corresponds to a maximum tire load of 615 kg with the right pressure.
What does XL mean on tires?
Some tires are also marked XL. This stands for "Extra Load".
It simply means that the tire has been reinforced to be able to carry heavier loads than standard tires of the same dimension. Let’s use the same tire size : 205/55R16 94V XL. In this case the load capacity of this tire with the same dimension as in our previous example is now 650 kg instead of 615kg.
Can I switch to a tire with a higher load rating ?
As mentioned above, the tire load rating corresponds to a maximum load (in kg) that can be carried by a single tire.
However “who can do more can do less” and it is of course possible to fit your car with tires that have a higher load rating than the manufacturer’s specification.
Tire speed rating
What is the tire speed rating?
The tire speed rating indicates the maximum speed at which a tire can carry its maximum load.
On the sidewall of your tire (or the sticker in the driver's door, or the owner’s manual), the speed rating is defined by a letter right next to the load rating

Here, the tire speed rating is V.
Tire speed rating chart
To find out what speed this index corresponds to, simply refer to the tire speed rating chart below:
Speed Index | Maximum speed (km/h) | Maximum speed (mph) | Tire types / Vehicle type |
L | 120 km/h | 75 mph | Off-Road & Light Truck tires |
M | 130 km/h | 81 mph | Temporary spare tire |
N | 140 km/h | 87 mph | Temporary spare tires |
Q | 160 km/h | 99 mph | Winter 4x4 |
R | 170 km/h | 106 mph | Heavy Duty Light Truck |
S | 180 km/h | 112 mph | Family Sedans & Vans |
T | 190 km/h | 118 mph | Family Sedans & Vans |
U | 200 km/h | 124 mph | Sedans & Coupes |
H | 210 km/h | 130 mph | Sport Sedans & Coupes |
V | 240 km/h | 149 mph | Sport Cars |
W | 270 km/h | 168 mph | Exotic Sport Cars |
Y | 300 km/h | 186 mph | Exotic Sport Cars |
Speed Index | Maximum Speed (Km/h) | Maximum Speed (Mph) |
L | 120 km/h | 75 mph |
M | 130 km/h | 81 mph |
N | 140 km/h | 87 mph |
Q | 160 km/h | 99 mph |
R | 170 km/h | 106 mph |
S | 180 km/h | 112 mph |
T | 190 km/h | 118 mph |
U | 200 km/h | 124 mph |
H | 210 km/h | 130 mph |
V | 240 km/h | 149 mph |
W | 270 km/h | 168 mph |
Y | 300 km/h | 186 mph |
ZR (Y) | > 300 km/h |
|
ZR | > 240 km/h | > 149 mph |
For example, if the tire has a speed rating of V, then the maximum speed it can sustain is 149 mph (240 km/h).
Can I switch to a tire with a higher speed index?
When your tires are worn out, it is perfectly possible to replace them with tires with a higher speed index than the one indicated on the old ones. However, you should never mount tires with a lower speed index unless fitting tires with winter capacities such as winter tires or All Season Tires, as discussed below.
There are specific cases for W, Y and (Y) speed ratings, which are specific to high-speed vehicles (> 270km/h). If you are concerned, please ask your dealer for advice.
Simplified sport ranges
As we said earlier, "who can do more can do less". With this in mind, we've simplified our Sport ranges, such as the MICHELIN Pilot Sport4, MICHELIN Pilot Sport4S and MICHELIN Pilot Sport 5, to make it easier for consumers to find their way around.
Most of the sizes in these ranges now have HIGHER possible load ratings than the original ones in order to meet all requirements.
Here's a concrete example:
If your original tire size is 225/45 R17 91 V, you can opt for size 225/45 R17 94 Y.
The 94 load index means that the tire is capable of carrying a higher load (up to 670 kg) than your original tire (up to 615 kg). A tire of the same size with a higher load index is therefore perfectly compatible.
The speed rating is also compatible if it is higher.
Choosing a lower speed index for winter tires
If you use tires with winter capacities (marked 3PMSF : either winter tires or All Season Tires), the speed rating may be lower than that of your summer tires or the original tire fitted to your vehicle.
Why is this possible? Tires with winter capacities are designed differently for driving in difficult climatic conditions (snowy, icy roads, etc.) and may not have the same speed rating.
However, generally you drive at a lower speed in winter than you would on dry roads with summer tires. In the UK the speed rating of tires with winter capacities will still be in excess of the national speed limit. In any case, the driver must limit the speed of the car so not to exceed the maximum speed of the tire.

Changing the tire size
What about the size? Is it possible to change it?
You can find the answer to this question in our article on changing the size of a tire.