Tire load index & chart
A tire’s load index is a number that can be used to look up the maximum amount of weight that a tire can bear 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 pounds on a standardized 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 pounds on a standardized chart.
How to find the load index on a tire
The load index is the second-to-last component of the tire size code molded into the sidewall of your tire. It is a two- or three-digit number that precedes the tire speed rating as indicated by a letter at the very end of the code.
In the example size code in the image, the load index is 96. You can find the load index on your tire, and then use this chart to find the maximum weight each tire can withstand:
In the example size code in the image, the load index is 96. You can find the load index on your tire, and then use this chart to find the maximum weight each tire can withstand:
Tire load index chart
Each load index number is tied to a real weight, measured in pounds, on the chart. A tire with a load index of 96, for example, is rated to hold 1565 pounds at max PSI and at its rated speed.
| Load Index | Load (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 75 | 852 |
| 76 | 882 |
| 77 | 908 |
| 78 | 937 |
| 79 | 963 |
| 80 | 992 |
| 81 | 1019 |
| 82 | 1047 |
| 83 | 1074 |
| 84 | 1102 |
| 85 | 1135 |
| 86 | 1168 |
| 87 | 1201 |
| 88 | 1235 |
| 89 | 1279 |
| 90 | 1323 |
| 91 | 1356 |
| 92 | 1389 |
| 93 | 1433 |
| 94 | 1477 |
| 95 | 1521 |
| 96 | 1565 |
| 97 | 1609 |
| 98 | 1653 |
| 99 | 1709 |
| 100 | 1764 |
| Load Index | Load (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 101 | 1819 |
| 102 | 1874 |
| 103 | 1929 |
| 104 | 1984 |
| 105 | 2039 |
| 106 | 2094 |
| 107 | 2149 |
| 108 | 2205 |
| 109 | 2271 |
| 110 | 2337 |
| 111 | 2403 |
| 112 | 2469 |
| 113 | 2535 |
| 114 | 2601 |
| 115 | 2679 |
| 116 | 2756 |
| 117 | 2833 |
| 118 | 2910 |
| 119 | 2998 |
| 120 | 3086 |
| 121 | 3197 |
| 122 | 3307 |
| 123 | 3417 |
| 124 | 3527 |
| 125 | 3638 |
| Load Index | Load (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 126 | 3748 |
| 127 | 3858 |
| 128 | 3968 |
| 129 | 4079 |
| 130 | 4189 |
| 131 | 4289 |
| 132 | 4409 |
| 133 | 4541 |
| 134 | 4674 |
| 135 | 4806 |
| 136 | 4938 |
| 137 | 5071 |
| 138 | 5203 |
| 139 | 5357 |
| 140 | 5512 |
| 141 | 5677 |
| 142 | 5842 |
| 143 | 6008 |
| 144 | 6173 |
| 145 | 6393 |
| 146 | 6614 |
| 147 | 6779 |
| 148 | 6844 |
| 149 | 7165 |
| 150 | 7385 |
Why is tire load index important?
The load index is something you should pay attention to because overloading your tires can damage them and cause them to wear out quickly. In more severe cases, excess weight on a tire could lead to life-threatening blowouts. Your car’s manufacturer states the recommended load index for your tires on the placard on the doorjamb on the driver’s side.
Difference between speed and load index
The load index and speed index appear together at the end of the tire 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 97, while the speed index is V.
Light truck tire load index
The load index on light truck tires is different from that of passenger cars: it usually has two ratings separated by a slash. This is because most light truck tires are designed to be used in a dual back wheel system with two tires side by side. The first number is the load rating when the tire is used alone, and the second is the rating when it is used as a dual tire. The dual rating is usually lower to cover situations where one tire in the pair fails and the other has to carry the full load.
How to read your tire
Aside from the load index, your tire’s sidewall contains lots of other useful information about its size, safety, and performance. Here you can find full information about your tire code.
FAQs
Using a load rating that is higher than the recommended one should not pose any problems for your vehicle. But you should never fit tires on your car that fall short of the recommended load index.
Though they may receive less attention than the height, width, and rim diameter in a tire’s size code, load index and speed rating are crucial. They affect the tire’s performance, durability, and safety. A tire that doesn’t meet load specifications could wear out quickly or lead to bad accidents.
The tire 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 tires
Now that you understand more about tire specs, you can browse Pirelli’s catalog to find tires for your size and weight requirements.
