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The tyre load rating is a number on your tyre sidewall that indicates how much weight each tyre can safely carry. Understanding tyre load ratings is essential when choosing the right tyres for your vehicle.
Choosing the correct load rating is essential for safety, performance, and legal compliance. It ensures your tyres can handle your vehicle’s weight, passengers, and any additional load.
In this guide, we explain what tyre load ratings mean, how to read them, and how to use a simple chart to find the correct load index for your vehicle.
Read our tyre speed rating guide to understand how speed ratings work with load ratings
The tyre load rating (also known as the load index) is a number that indicates the maximum weight a tyre can safely support.
You’ll find it on the tyre sidewall as part of the tyre code. For example, in 225/45 R17 91W, the number 91 is the load rating.
Each number corresponds to a specific weight. For example:
• 95 = 690 kg per tyre
• 102 = 850 kg per tyre
This rating works alongside the speed rating to ensure your tyres perform safely under load.
Use the chart below to see how load rating numbers relate to the weight capacity per tyre:
Why Is Tyre Load Rating Important?
Using the correct load rating ensures your tyres can safely support your vehicle’s weight.
It affects:
This tyre load rating chart shows the maximum weight each load index can safely support.
| Tyre Load Rating | Load in 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
You can choose tyres with a higher load rating to improve durability and load capacity.
However, you should never use tyres with a lower load rating than the manufacturer recommends, as this can compromise safety, handling, and legality.
What Happens If You Use the Wrong Load Rating?
Using tyres with an insufficient load rating can lead to:
• Excessive heat build-up, increasing the risk of blowouts
• Reduced handling and braking performance
• Faster tyre wear and damage
• Potential insurance or legal issues
This is particularly important for vans, SUVs, and 4x4s, which often carry heavier loads or tow.
Your vehicle manufacturer specifies the minimum load rating for safe operation.
You can find this in:
Always choose tyres that meet or exceed this rating — never choose lower, especially if you carry heavy loads, tow, or drive a van.
Tips for Choosing the Correct Load Rating
Find the Right Tyres for Your Vehicle
Choosing the correct load rating helps keep your vehicle safe, compliant, and performing as intended. It’s an important part of selecting the right tyres for your driving needs.
Use our search tool above to find tyres for your vehicle by size or registration, with fast UK delivery or professional fitting.
