Tyre Sizes Explained

Learn to understand your tyre size

Tyre markings explained

Have you ever wondered what the markings on the sidewall of your tyre mean? Your tyre’s sidewall markings are a tyre specification guide containing important information about size, load, and much more. This indicates the nominated tyre size for your vehicle from the manufacturer. Be careful if changing away from the nominated tyre size, as this could make your vehicle un-roadworthy. Learn how to read tyre codes below.

Tyre size calculator, showing how to calculate your tyre size. Image of tyre calculator.

Understanding tyre sizes

Understanding tyre sizes is essential for ensuring optimal vehicle performance and safety. By deciphering the numbers and letters on your tyres, you can make informed choices that enhance handling, fuel efficiency, and overall driving experience.

Width:

The section width of your tyre in millimetres, from the inner sidewall to the outer sidewall. Example: 195mm

Aspect Ratio:
The height of your tyre from the base of the tread to the rim, as a percentage of the tread width. Low profile tyres have smaller aspect ratios. Example: The height of this tyre is 65% of its width.

Tyre Construction:
The method used to construct your tyre. Example: R, for radial ply construction. This is the most common method of construction for passenger tyres.

Rim:
The diameter of the wheel rim in inches. If you are buying wheels for existing tyres, this is the size you will need. Example: 15 inches.

Load Index and Speed Symbol
The maximum load capacity under which your tyre can safely operate, and at what speed. This is subject to the tyre being in sound condition, correctly fitted, and with the recommended inflation pressure. Example: 91 V

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Vehicle data is provided by DriveRight, tyre sizes are a guide only. Tyre sizes can vary, even on similar vehicles.
We recommend you inspect and check your tyre size. Learn how here.

Tyre speed symbol table


Speed Symbol Rating (Km/h)
E 70
F 80
G 90
J 100
K 110
L 120
M 130
N 140
P 150
Q 160
R 170
S 180
T 190
U 200
H 210
V 240
W 270
Y 300
Z 240+

Tyre load index table


Load
Index
Max Load
(kg)
Load
Index
Max Load
(kg)
Load
Index
Max Load
(kg)
Load
Index
Max Load
(kg)
Load
Index
Max Load
(kg)
Load
Index
Max Load
(kg)
60 250 85 515 110 1060 135 2180 160 4500 185 9250
61 257 86 530 111 1090 136 2240 161 4625 186 9500
62 265 87 545 112 1120 137 2300 162 4750 187 9750
63 272 88 560 113 1150 138 2360 163 4875 188 10000
64 280 89 580 114 1180 139 2430 164 5000 189 10300
65 290 90 600 115 1215 140 2500 165 5150 190 10600
66 300 91 615 116 1250 141 2575 166 5300 191 10900
67 307 92 630 117 1285 142 2650 167 5450 192 11200
68 315 93 650 118 1320 143 2725 168 5600 193 11500
69 325 94 670 119 1360 144 2800 169 5800 194 11800
70 335 95 690 120 1400 145 2900 170 6000 195 12150
71 345 96 710 121 1450 146 3000 171 6150 196 12500
72 355 97 730 122 1500 147 3075 172 6300 197 12850
73 365 98 750 123 1550 148 3150 173 6500 198 13200
74 375 99 775 124 1600 149 3250 174 6700 199 13600
75 387 100 800 125 1650 150 3350 175 6900 200 14000
76 400 101 825 126 1700 151 3450 176 7100 201 14500
77 412 102 850 127 1750 152 3550 177 7300 202 15000
79 437 104 900 129 1850 154 3750 179 7750 204 16000
80 450 105 925 130 1900 155 3875 180 8000 205 16500
81 462 106 950 131 1950 156 4000 181 8250 206 17000
82 475 107 975 132 2000 157 4125 182 8500 207 17500
83 487 108 1000 133 2060 158 4250 183 8750 208 18000
84 500 109 1030 134 2120 159 4375 184 9000 209 18500

OD:
The overall diameter of your unloaded tyre in mm.

Type Definitions:
An abbreviation providing information about the type of your tyre.

Examples:
RFT – Run Flat Technology
MOE – Mercedes Original Equipment
LRR – Low Rolling Resistance
RBT – Raised Black Letters Tubeless
OWT – Outline White Letters Tubeless
RWT – Raised White Letters Tubeless
LWT – Line White Tubeless
TT – Tube Type
TL – Tubeless
XL – Extra Load
LT – Light Truck construction
N* - Porsche specification
☆ – BMW spec



Our Run-Flat Technology

If your tyre is punctured while driving, you’ll experience loss of tyre pressure that can cause you to lose steering control, endangering yourself and the cars around you. You’ll also face further risk while changing the tyre on the roadside or waiting for mechanics to arrive.

When a Run Flat tyre is punctured, there is no sudden deflation. Instead, you can continue to drive safely, despite a total loss of air pressure. Run Flat tyres are built with thicker, reinforced sidewalls, along with heat resistant rubber, to keep the tyre from collapsing so you can continue to a safe location. Tyres with Run Flat Technology should only be fitted to vehicles that are equipped with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Please check with your vehicle manufacturer to see if your vehicle can be fitted with Run Flat tyres.
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