What Do Tire Numbers Mean?

Close-up of a tire with markings M+S, 185/55R15, indicating size and type.

When you’re in the market for new tires, checking the series of numbers and letters printed on the sidewall of your current ones will tell you important information about your vehicle’s tire needs. But exactly what do tire numbers mean? To ensure you find the right tire replacements for your vehicle and your Regina and Saskatoon drives, the Titan Automotive service team answers below the question of the hour: What do the numbers on tires mean?

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What Do the Numbers on Tires Mean?

So, just what do tire numbers mean? Size, load index, and speed rating are just a few details your tire’s code will provide you with. In the following example, we use the code P215/65R15 95H.

“P”

The “P” represents “P-Metric tire,” which denotes that it’s used on passenger vehicles. If you drive a pickup, the tires may say “LT” instead of “P,” meaning the tires are for use on light-duty trucks. If you see no letter at the start of the code, your tire is either European style or Euro-metric, and load capacities will differ from North American tires.

“215”

“215” is the width of the tire in millimetres.

“65”

Next, you’ll see the aspect ratio code of “65” after the forward slash. This is the height of the cross-section of the tire in relation to its width. In this example, the tire height is equal to 65% of the tire width. With larger aspect ratios come larger sidewalls.

“R”

The letter after the aspect ratio is the type of tire construction. “R” represents radial construction, in which the tire cords are set perpendicular to the travelling direction and “radiate” away from the center.

“15”

“15” is the wheel size that will accommodate the tire. This tire can be mounted on a 15-inch-diameter wheel.

“95H”

“95H” indicates the tire’s load index and speed rating. The load index refers to the amount of weight the tire can support when properly inflated; a typical range for passenger vehicle tires is 75 to 105. “H” is the speed rating in miles per hour—in other words, how fast the tire can safely travel based on its load capacity. “H”-rated tires have a 130-mph maximum speed.

Shop for New Tires in Regina

Now that you know what the numbers on tires mean, find the right replacements for your vehicle at our service center. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information about what tire numbers mean and how they help simplify the process of buying replacements. You can also continue your research on our website. By choosing the best tires for your driving needs, you will improve performance, safety, and reliability on Moose Jaw roads and beyond.

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