The markings on your tyre sidewall can be a little confusing. The combination of numbers and letters all define different elements of your tyres such as the width, load rating, rim diameter and speed rating. With our help, you will easily be able to understand your vehicle’s tyre markings.

To start off, the below image shows a tyre with a mixture of numbers and letters: 205 55 R16 91W

To clearly understand each element of the tyre size, please see the below table:

Sidewall Marking	Explanation
The first 3 numbers e.g. 205	The width of the tyre in millimetres
The fourth and fifth numbers e.g. 55	A percentage of the tyre width, or otherwise known as the profile height.
The first letter e.g. R	The tyre is of Radial construction
The two numbers following the first letter e.g. 16	The tyre’s inner rim diameter in inches
The last two numbers e.g. 91	The Load Rating of the tyre
The second and final letter e.g. W	The Speed Rating which indicates the tyre’s maximum speed at full load

As well as these numbers and letters, you will notice a smaller combination of numbers and letters next to them. These represent the date of manufacture, whether the tyres have been reinforced, whether they are run flat and which car manufacturer the tyres are most suited for.

You can read more about these tyre elements, as well as others, by clicking the text below.

Tyre Size
What is Tyre Speed Rating?
What is Tyre Load Rating?
Where can i gind the Tyre Date of Manufacture?
What does Reinforced mean on tyres?
Are my tyres Run Flat Tyres?
What is Homologation

Tyre Size

Your tyre size is the sequence of numbers and one letter that is 8 digits long. This looks like this: 205 55 R16, but each element can differ depending on your car and your wheels. It is crucial to check your current tyre sizes or your vehicle handbook before changing your tyres, as not all tyres will fit or be well-suited for your vehicle.

As discussed within the table above, these numbers include the tyre width, aspect ratio, radial and wheel diameter of your tyres.

What is Tyre Speed Rating?

Speed rating of a tyre is presented after the tyre size combination in the form of a letter. Each letter relates to a maximum speed that the tyres can perform. Although on the British roads these speed limits should never be reached, it is important to understand the absolute limit that your tyres can physically perform.

See the table below for more information on Speed Rating:

Speed Rating	Maximum Speed
Q	99mph
R	106mph
S	112mph
T	118mph
H	131mph
V	149mph
W	168mph
Y	186mph

What is Tyre Load Rating?

The tyre load rating shows the maximum weight each tyre is able to carry. It is important to take note of this information; carrying an incorrect load capacity in your vehicle can cause driving issues, invalidate your insurance or damage your car.

See the below table for the weight capacity in kg of each possible load rating:

Load Index	Load in kg
62	265
63	272
64	280
65	290
66	300
67	307
68	315
69	325
70	335
71	345
72	355
73	365
74	375
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
100	710
101	825
102	850
103	875
104	900
105	925

Where can I find the Tyre Date of Manufacture?

Your tyres will always be handily printed with information that informs you of when and where your tyres were manufactured. Following the tyre size, speed and load rating is the date of manufacture.

This information begins with the letters DOT, meaning the tyre exceeds Department of Transport safety standards.

After DOT, there are characters that are only applicable to individual manufacturers. These are displayed to identify which production facility it was made in and which exact tyre it is.

The last four numbers present the week and then the year of which the tyre was manufactured. For example, 1417 means that the tyre was created in the 14th week of 2017.

What does Reinforced mean on tyres?

Sometimes your tyres may have the word ‘Reinforced’ printed on the sidewall; or perhaps it is a two to five long combination of letters. In the table below, we explain what these letters mean.

If your tyres have an increased load rating they have an indication on the sidewall to show that they have been reinforced to handle the weight. It can often vary depending on your manufacturer.

‘Reinforced’ Combination	Definition
XL	Extra Load
EXL	Extra Load
RF	Reinforced
REINF	Reinforced
RFD	Reinforced

Are my tyres Run Flat Tyres?

If your tyres are Run Flat Tyres you will see a small combination of letters displayed after the date of manufacture.

Run Flat’s are specially manufactured tyres that boast strengthened sidewalls. This helps to avoid losing pressure in the case of a puncture, ultimately holding the weight of the vehicle until it is possible to be replaced.

Below is a table that represents the different kinds of Run Flat Tyre combinations you may see on your tyres:

Letter Combination	Definition	Manufacturer
RFT	Run Flat Technology	Pirelli, Firestone, Bridgestone
EMT	Extended Mobility Technology	Goodyear
ROF	RunOnFlat	Goodyear
DSST	Dunlop Self Supporting Technology	Dunlop
SSR	Self-Supporting Run Flat	Continental
MOE	Michelin Run Flat	Michelin
ZP	Zero Pressure	Michelin

What is Homologation?

Depending on the tyres that you buy, you may see another combination of letters after the Run Flat digits.

These letters are the homologation of the tyre; this means the Homologated tyres were designed to be specifically used for certain vehicle manufacturers.

Most well-known and prestigious brands have their own designated symbol to show that they have met the tyre manufacturer’s safety standards and have been given an OE status.

Refer to the table below for more information regarding particular manufacturer’s homologation symbols:

Homologation Symbol	Manufacturer
A0	Audi
R0	Audi Quattro and S variants
A	Toyota Auris
G	Volkswagen Golf
VO	Volkswagen Touareg
LRO	Land Rover
FO	Ford
MO	Mercedes
MO1	Mercedes AMG
J	Jaguar
N0, N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6	Porsche
AR, AZ	Alfa Romeo
MOE	Mercedes Run Flat
★	BMW and Mini