Tyre load index & chart
A tyre's load index is a number that can be used to look up the maximum amount of weight that a tyre can bear at its speed rating when inflated to its maximum pressure.
This number, which is usually between 75 and 100 for passenger cars, is not stated in pounds or any other unit of measurement.
It is used to find the actual rated value in kilograms on a standardised chart.
This number, which is usually between 75 and 100 for passenger cars, is not stated in pounds or any other unit of measurement.
It is used to find the actual rated value in kilograms on a standardised chart.
How to find the load index on a tyre
The load index is the second-to-last component of the tyre size code moulded into the sidewall of your tyre. It is a two- or three-digit number that precedes the tyre speed letter at the very end of the code.
In the example size code in the image, the load index is 91. You can find the load index on your tyre and then use this chart to find the maximum weight that each tyre can withstand:
In the example size code in the image, the load index is 91. You can find the load index on your tyre and then use this chart to find the maximum weight that each tyre can withstand:
Tyre load index chart
Each load index number is tied to a real weight, measured in kilograms, on the chart. A tyre with a load index of 91, for example, can hold a maximum load of 615 kg at the correct PSI up to its rated speed.
| Load Index | Load (kg) |
|---|---|
| 75 | 387 |
| 76 | 400 |
| 77 | 412 |
| 78 | 425 |
| 79 | 437 |
| 80 | 450 |
| 81 | 462 |
| 82 | 475 |
| 83 | 487 |
| 84 | 500 |
| 85 | 515 |
| 86 | 530 |
| 87 | 545 |
| 88 | 560 |
| 89 | 580 |
| 90 | 600 |
| 91 | 615 |
| 92 | 630 |
| 93 | 650 |
| 94 | 670 |
| 95 | 690 |
| 96 | 710 |
| 97 | 730 |
| 98 | 750 |
| 99 | 775 |
| 100 | 800 |
| Load Index | Load (kg) |
|---|---|
| 101 | 825 |
| 102 | 850 |
| 103 | 875 |
| 104 | 900 |
| 105 | 925 |
| 106 | 950 |
| 107 | 975 |
| 108 | 1000 |
| 109 | 1030 |
| 110 | 1060 |
| 111 | 1090 |
| 112 | 1120 |
| 113 | 1150 |
| 114 | 1180 |
| 115 | 1215 |
| 116 | 1250 |
| 117 | 1285 |
| 118 | 1320 |
| 119 | 1360 |
| 120 | 1400 |
| 121 | 1450 |
| 122 | 1500 |
| 123 | 1550 |
| 124 | 1600 |
| 125 | 1650 |
| Load Index | Load (kg) |
|---|---|
| 126 | 1700 |
| 127 | 1750 |
| 128 | 1800 |
| 129 | 1850 |
| 130 | 1900 |
| 131 | 1950 |
| 132 | 2000 |
| 133 | 2060 |
| 134 | 2120 |
| 135 | 2190 |
| 136 | 2240 |
| 137 | 2300 |
| 138 | 2360 |
| 139 | 2430 |
| 140 | 2500 |
| 141 | 2575 |
| 142 | 2650 |
| 143 | 2725 |
| 144 | 2800 |
| 145 | 2900 |
| 146 | 3000 |
| 147 | 3075 |
| 148 | 3150 |
| 149 | 3250 |
| 150 | 3350 |
Why is tyre load index important?
The load index is something that you should pay attention to because overloading your tyres can damage them and cause them to wear out quickly. In more severe cases, excess weight on a tyre could lead to life-threatening blowouts. Your car’s manufacturer states the recommended load index for your tyres on the placard on the door jamb on the driver’s side.
Winter tyres
Difference between speed and load index
The load index and speed index appear together at the end of the tyre size code. The easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that the load index is a two- or three-digit number, while the speed index is a single letter. In the example above, the load index is 87, while the speed index is S (112MPH).
Light truck tyre load index
The load index on light truck tyres is different from that of passenger cars: it usually has two ratings separated by a slash. This is because most light truck tyres are designed to be used in a dual back wheel system with two tyres side by side. The first number is the load rating when the tyre is used alone and the second is the rating when it is used as a dual tyre. The dual rating is usually lower to cover situations where one tyre in the pair fails and the other has to carry the full load.
How to read your tyre
Aside from the load index, your tyre’s sidewall contains lots of other useful information about its size, safety and performance. Here you can find full information about your tyre code.
FAQs
Using a load rating that is higher than the recommended one should not pose any problems for your vehicle. However, you should never fit tyres on your car that fall short of the recommended load index. In the UK, using tyres with a lower rating is dangerous and, as such, the law prohibits it.
Though they may receive less attention than the height, width and rim diameter in a tyre’s size code, load index and speed rating are crucial. They affect the tyre’s performance, durability and safety. A tyre that doesn’t meet load specifications could wear out quickly or fail and lead to bad accidents.
The tyre load index is not directly correlated to ride quality. While major increases in load index will often mean taller, stiffer sidewalls and higher PSIs, and therefore a stiffer ride, there are many other factors such as suspension, tread and correct inflation that have more noticeable effects on ride quality.
Find your tyres
Now that you understand more about tyre specs, you can browse Pirelli’s catalogue to find tyres for your size and weight requirements.
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