What Do Tire Numbers Mean?

There is a series of numbers and letters printed on the sidewall of every tire. But what do tire numbers mean? They are an indicator of the size, type, and performance capabilities of your specific tires. In this guide, our service team at Land Rover Kansas City takes you on an in-depth tour of tire number meanings and how they can help you care for your vehicle and ensure its reliability on the roads of Wichita and St. Louis, MO.

What Do the Numbers on Tires Mean?

Don’t dismiss the string of numbers and letters on your tire sidewalls as nonsensical or as some sort of code only decipherable to the manufacturer. What do tire numbers mean? They reveal crucial information about your tires, including the size, load index, speed rating, and maximum performance capacities. Let’s use this example to “crack the code” of tire number meanings:

P215/65R15 95H.

Understanding P

The P in the code denotes that the tire is designed for passenger vehicles. Tires with an LT rather than a P are made for lightweight pickup trucks. Tires without an opening letter are usually European-made or intended for European vehicles.

Understanding 215

215 indicates the width in millimeters between each tire sidewall.

Understanding 65

On the other side of the forward slash, you’ll see the aspect ratio. This is the term for the height of the cross-section of the tire in relation to its width. The larger your aspect ratio, the bigger your tire sidewalls. In this example, the height is equal to 65% of the tire width.

Understanding R

This tells you about the construction of the tire. R means that it’s a radial tire.

Understanding 15

When you need to know the wheel size, check the number after the construction code. In our example, 15 informs you that the tire is designed to fit 15-inch wheels.

Understanding 95H

The tire number meaning code ends with the load index and speed ratings. With a 95H tire, the 95 is a rating of how much weight the tire can support; most passenger vehicles are rated between 75 to 105. The H is the speed rating, which tells you how fast the tire can safely travel considering its load capacity. Tires with an H can travel up to 130 miles per hour.

Find New Tires at Land Rover Kansas City

What do tire numbers mean? Now you can answer that question and shop with confidence at Land Rover Kansas City for your next set of tires. We are here for all your vehicle service and parts needs and are conveniently located in Merriam, just a short drive from Omaha, NE. Trust our technicians to deliver the superior care and service that will give you the longest, most dependable life out of your tires.