Tire speed rating chart
A tire's speed rating is the letter at the end of its size. The common ones: S 112 mph, T 118 mph, H 130 mph, V 149 mph, W 168 mph and Y 186 mph. Z or ZR means over 149 mph.
| Speed rating | Max speed (mph) | Max speed (km/h) |
|---|---|---|
| L | 75 mph | 120 km/h |
| M | 81 mph | 130 km/h |
| N | 87 mph | 140 km/h |
| P | 93 mph | 150 km/h |
| Q | 99 mph | 160 km/h |
| R | 106 mph | 170 km/h |
| S | 112 mph | 180 km/h |
| T | 118 mph | 190 km/h |
| U | 124 mph | 200 km/h |
| H | 130 mph | 210 km/h |
| V | 149 mph | 240 km/h |
| W | 168 mph | 270 km/h |
| Y | 186 mph | 300 km/h |
| Z / ZR | over 149 mph | over 240 km/h |
| (Y) | over 186 mph | over 300 km/h |
Low-speed ratings (A1 to K)
The rest of the standard, from A1 (3 mph) up to K (68 mph).
Where to find it, and what it does not mean
The speed rating follows the load index: in 225/65R17 102H the load index is 102 and the speed rating is H. Older tires showed it inside the size instead (SR, HR, VR, ZR). The rating is the maximum speed the tire can carry its rated load under specified test conditions, not a speed to drive at. Under-inflation, overloading, wear and damage all lower what the tire can safely do.
Decode the rest of the size with the tire size calculator, or look up the load index chart.
Keep the new tires at the right pressure
The pressure to run is on the placard in the driver's door jamb, not the maximum printed on the tire. Check it cold, once a month.
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Frequently asked
What is the speed rating on a tire?
It is the letter after the load index at the end of the tire size, for example the H in 225/65R17 102H. It gives the maximum speed the tire can carry its rated load. H means 130 mph (210 km/h).
What do T, H and V speed ratings mean?
T is rated to 118 mph (190 km/h), H to 130 mph (210 km/h) and V to 149 mph (240 km/h). H sits between U and V, out of alphabetical order.
What does ZR mean in a tire size?
ZR inside the size, as in 245/40ZR18, marks a tire rated above 149 mph (240 km/h). The letter after the load index, such as W or Y, gives the exact rating; (Y) in parentheses means above 186 mph (300 km/h).
Can I use a lower speed rating than my car came with?
The lowest-rated tire on the car sets its safe top speed. Fitting tires with a lower rating than the original lowers that limit, and it can also change how the car handles, so the usual advice is to match or exceed the rating on the door placard. Winter tires are a common exception people accept knowingly.
Speeds in km/h are the standard values (ECE Regulation 30 / ETRTO), each checked against two sources: Wikipedia: Tire code (load index and speed rating tables, citing ETRTO); Tyreteam: load index and speed category tables (kg, km/h); BFGoodrich: tire speed ratings; Bridgestone: tire speed rating. Miles per hour are converted from km/h and rounded, so a few charts show P as 94 mph and Q as 100 mph.