Tyre load index and speed rating: how to read and check them

91 V, 94 V XL, 99 Y: markings to check before comparing tyres

At Pneus Online, a tyre size does not end at 205/55 R16. The characters that follow matter too.
Take 205/55 R16 91 V:

• 91 is the load index;
• V is the speed rating.

Here, load index 91 corresponds to a maximum load of 615 kg per tyre. The letter V corresponds to a speed category of up to 240 km/h under the conditions specified for the tyre. These values help you check whether the tyre meets the requirements intended for your vehicle.

Since 2001, our role has been to help drivers look beyond price or brand. Before ordering, check the full tyre description, not just its width, aspect ratio and diameter.

The Pneus Online method for checking your ratings

1. Start with your vehicle's specifications

The correct ratings are determined by the vehicle's characteristics, permitted loads and performance.
You can find them:

• in the vehicle handbook;
• on the label or placard by the driver's door;
• in the vehicle manufacturer's information;
• on your current tyres, provided that the fitted set is already compliant.

Simply copying the markings from a tyre already fitted is not always enough. When in doubt, the vehicle manufacturer's specifications remain the reference.

2. Read the tyre size to the final character

Our search results and product pages show the tyre's full description.
For the same 205/55 R16 size, Pneus Online may offer 91 H versions and 91 V versions. The width, aspect ratio and diameter are identical, but the speed rating is not.

Load index: what the number really means

The load index is a numerical code that corresponds to the maximum weight a tyre can support.
A tyre's load multiplied by 2 must cover the gross single axle load of your vehicle.
To determine your load index, locate the number on the sidewall of one of your tyres and compare it with the load index table.The load index is the number shown after the rim diameter.
In 205/55 R16 91 V, it is the number 91.
This number is not the vehicle's weight. It refers to the maximum load that one tyre can carry under its specified operating conditions.
A practical example :Load index 91 corresponds to a maximum of 615 kg per tyre
This does not mean that the vehicle can automatically carry four times 615 kg. The limits set by the manufacturer, including the maximum vehicle mass and axle loads, still apply.

Complete load index table

The Pneus Online advice

Can I choose a higher load index?

Yes, provided the size and all other characteristics remain compatible with the vehicle.
For example, a tyre with load index 94 can carry more than one with index 91. This does not allow you to exceed the maximum vehicle load specified by the manufacturer.

Can I choose a higher load index?

You must not go below the minimum index specified for your vehicle.
If the tyres currently fitted have a higher index than the original specification, a lower index may sometimes still comply. Check the vehicle manufacturer's requirements rather than relying only on the tyres already fitted.
The Pneus Online approach is simple: first compare the index with the approved fitments for your vehicle, then compare prices and models.

Does XL automatically mean that the tyre is compatible?

No. XL means Extra Load and identifies a reinforced tyre. However, the numeric index — for example 91, 94 or 98 — is what indicates its actual load capacity.
An XL tyre is not automatically suitable for every vehicle or every size.

Speed rating: what the letter tells you

The speed rating is the letter immediately after the load index.
In 205/55 R16 91 V, it is the letter V.
It indicates the maximum speed category for which the tyre has been designed while carrying its load under the specified conditions.
It is not:

• a recommended driving speed;
• an invitation to drive faster;
• permission to exceed the legal speed limit.

The Pneus Online advice

Can I fit a higher speed rating?

Yes, provided that the tyre size and its other characteristics are compatible with your vehicle.
A vehicle designed for class V can, for example, be fitted with class W tyres. A higher index does not automatically mean that the tyre is better suited to your driving style.
For standard fitment, choose a speed symbol compatible with the characteristics specified for your vehicle.
Before ordering on Pneus Online:

1. Check the manufacturer's recommendations;
2. Check the full tyre designation;
3. Respect the maximum speed corresponding to the selected tyre.

Can I fit a lower rating?

For standard fitment, you must at least respect the speed symbol specified by the manufacturer.
With certain winter equipment, a lower category may be permitted depending on the vehicle's homologation and the applicable regulations in Ireland. So do not automatically choose a lower index simply because it is a winter tyre.
An exemption exists for certain snow tyres. In this case, the maximum speed corresponding to the tyres must be displayed visibly in the vehicle and respected by the driver. The rule therefore cannot be summed up as “going down by just one letter”.

Frequently asked questions about load indexes and speed ratings

Why does Pneus Online show several ratings for the same size?

Because tyre size alone does not fully identify a tyre.
On our 205/55 R16 page, for example, you may find:

• 205/55 R16 91 H ;
• 205/55 R16 91 V ;
• 205/55 R16 91 W ;
• 205/55 R16 94 V XL ;
• 205/55 R16 94 W XL.

They may share the same width, aspect ratio and diameter, but differ in load capacity, speed rating or construction.
That is why Pneus Online always displays the full description in its results: the characters after R16 are an essential part of the choice.

What really changes from 91 V to 94 V XL?

In both cases, the letter V represents the same speed rating.
The main difference is load capacity:

• 91 corresponds to a maximum of 615 kg per tyre;
• 94 corresponds to a maximum of 670 kg per tyre;
• XL identifies a reinforced construction designed to carry a higher load at the specified pressures.

That is an additional 55 kg per tyre, but it does not automatically make 94 V XL “better”.
Your vehicle must be approved for this specification. A higher index also does not allow you to exceed the maximum load permitted by the vehicle manufacturer.

How can I check the ratings on Pneus Online before adding a tyre to my basket?

In our results, the full description appears directly below the tyre name.
For example:
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
205/55 R16 91 V

You can therefore compare the load index and speed rating without opening every product page.
The same results line also shows the season, the EU tyre label information, availability and, where available, reviews from our customers. The product page then lets you view the description, available tests and ratings, and leave your own tyre review.
The Pneus Online habit: before comparing prices, make sure the tyres you are comparing have the correct size and ratings for your vehicle.

Can I replace just one tyre with a model that has a different rating?

Do not choose a replacement tyre simply because it has the same size.
Start by comparing:

• the full tyre size;
• the load index;
• the speed rating;
• the construction;
• the season;
• the model fitted on the other wheel of the same axle.

In Ireland, follow the applicable requirements and the vehicle manufacturer's guidance. For consistent handling, fit tyres of the same type and construction, with comparable wear, on the same axle.
If the model already fitted is no longer available, replacing both tyres on the same axle will generally provide more consistent handling. If in doubt, have the combination checked by a tyre professional before fitting.

Does a repaired tyre keep its speed rating?

The marking on the sidewall remains visible after a repair, but it no longer guarantees the tyre's actual condition on its own.
After a puncture, the following must be checked:

• the location and size of the damage;
• the internal condition of the tyre;
• any damage caused by driving flat or underinflated;
• whether a suitable repair is possible.

A proper assessment requires the tyre to be removed and inspected internally. An externally fitted plug or puncture sealant should be treated as a temporary solution until the tyre has been checked by a professional.

Our advice at Pneus Online is simple: after a puncture, do not rely only on the rating printed on the sidewall. Have the tyre's actual condition checked first.