Tyre speed ratings and markings explained

Confused by the markings on your car tyres? You're not alone. We explain what they all mean.

The sidewall of a tyre is stamped with codes and markings that will tell you all you need to know about it in order to assess its suitability for your car. The letters and numbers relate not only to a tyre’s size and dimensions but also to its composition and speed capabilities.

We explain what these mean and why it's important to fully understand them.

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How to read tyre specs

Using the tyre specification '175/65 R14T 0420' as an example:

• 175 = tyre width in mm
• 65 = tyre sidewall profile – sidewall height expressed as a percentage of its width, in this case 65% of 175mm
• R = radial (the type of construction; all tyres are now radial as opposed to the older cross-ply construction)
• 14 = diameter of the wheel rim, in inches
• T = speed rating, which must match or exceed the maximum speed of your car (see below)
• 0420 - the week and year the tyre was manufactured; in this case the fourth week of 2020. This will always be expressed as a four-digit number.

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Tyre speed ratings

It’s important to fit a tyre that matches or exceeds your car’s top speed.

Your vehicle’s handbook will tell you the minimum tyre speed and load ratings you should go for, but for reference, below are the ratings and their corresponding speeds. The ratings are based on km/h, hence why the increments in mph differ between ratings. 

• S 180km/h or 112mph
• T 190km/h or 118mph
• U 200km/h or 125mph
• H 210km/h or 130mph
• V 240km/h or 149mph
• W(ZR) 270km/h or 168mph
• Y(ZR) 300km/h or 186mph
• ZR Above 240km/h or 149mph

Since the minimum rating expressed here is well above the UK speed limit, these ratings are only relevant if you plan on driving in a country that has roads with higher (or no) speed limits, such as Germany, or you're going to drive your car on a track. 

Also, keep in mind that fitting a tyre that has a speed rating (or any other specification) that doesn't meet the manufacturer's recommendations could invalidate your car insurance policy.

Understanding tyre energy labels

All car tyres, whether new or used, must be sold with an energy label. You may see two different types of labels on the tyres you're looking at (this is due to the UK not fully adopting the latest EU standard tyre label standard, but many retailers have done so anyway, and it has been adopted in Northern Ireland). Above, the new label is shown on the left, and the old label is on the right.

Depending on what label you're looking at, you will see an energy rating, a wet grip rating, a noise rating and then some additional symbols if the tyre can be driven safety in snowy or icy conditions. 

• Fuel efficiency: Rated A-G or A-E; with A being the most efficient.
• Wet grip: Rated A-G or A-E; with A proving the shortest stopping distance in wet conditions
• Noise rating: Rated A-C or (1, 2 or 3 bars on older labels). A produces the lowest amount of noise, while C produces the most. 
• Snow tyre: This symbol is only seen on the latest EU tyre labels. Illustrated with a three-peaked mountain and a snowflake symbol, this means the car can be driven in deep snow conditions, based on a braking test from 25mph. The symbol will also be imprinted onto the tyre's sidewall.
• Ice tyre: As with the snow tyre, this is only seen on the latest EU tyre labels. It's illustrated inside a triangle and shows the tyre will produce good braking performance on ice at 20mph (based on a standard test).

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