Speed Rating
The speed rating is a single letter that indicates the maximum sustained speed a tire can safely handle under optimal conditions. These letters appear at the end of the tire size designation on the sidewall, for example, in 205/55R16 91H, the “H” means the tire is rated for up to 130 mph.
Speed ratings are determined through laboratory testing where the tire is pressed against a large metal drum and run at progressively higher speeds until it reaches its rated speed. The tire must maintain structural integrity and not show signs of failure. Higher speed ratings generally indicate better high-speed handling and heat dissipation, but often come with shorter tread life.
Speed Rating Chart
Select a speed rating code to see its maximum speed and typical applications.
P
93 mph
150 km/h
0 mph
90
+186
P-rated tires are suitable for light trucks, SUVs, and some winter tires. They can sustain speeds up to 93 mph and are appropriate for vehicles that occasionally travel at highway speeds but aren’t designed for sustained high-speed driving.
Speed ratings are tested under controlled laboratory conditions with proper inflation and load. Real-world factors like heat, road conditions, tire age, and vehicle load reduce actual safe speed below the rated maximum. Always follow posted speed limits regardless of your tire’s speed rating.
Max Speed
75 mph
120 km/h
L-rated tires are designed for off-road vehicles, light trucks, and some trailer applications. These tires can sustain speeds up to 75 mph and are typically found on vehicles not designed for highway cruising, focusing more on durability and load capacity than high-speed performance.
Max Speed
81 mph
130 km/h
These ratings are commonly found on temporary spare tires and some light truck applications. They can sustain speeds up to 81 mph and are typical for compact spare tires and older light truck designs where speed capability is intentionally limited.
Max Speed
93 mph
150 km/h
P-rated tires are suitable for light trucks, SUVs, and some winter tires. They can sustain speeds up to 93 mph and are appropriate for vehicles that occasionally travel at highway speeds but aren’t designed for sustained high-speed driving.
Max Speed
99 mph
160 km/h
Q-rated tires are common on economy cars, winter tires, and some all terrain tires. With a sustained speed of up to 99 mph, these are frequently seen on studded winter tires and budget-friendly vehicles, providing adequate capability for normal highway driving with some safety margin.
Max Speed
106 mph
170 km/h
R-rated tires are found on light trucks, heavy-duty SUVs, and some all terrain tire applications. They can sustain speeds up to 106 mph and are designed for vehicles that need load-carrying capacity but still require a reasonable highway speed rating.
Max Speed
112 mph
180 km/h
S-rated tires are standard for family sedans, minivans, economy cars, and some crossovers. With a sustained speed capability of up to 112 mph, this rating is common in mainstream passenger vehicles and provides adequate speed for everyday driving with a comfortable safety margin.
Max Speed
118 mph
190 km/h
T-rated tires are designed for family sedans, minivans, crossovers, and passenger cars. They can sustain speeds up to 118 mph and are very common on modern passenger vehicles, offering a good balance of speed capability and tire longevity for typical daily driving.
Max Speed
130 mph
210 km/h
H-rated tires are found on sport sedans, coupes, and performance-oriented family cars. With a sustained speed capacity of up to 130 mph, this rating is widespread on modern vehicles with sportier intentions and is suitable for spirited driving and occasional track use while maintaining all-season capability.
Max Speed
149 mph
240 km/h
V-rated tires are standard for sports cars, performance sedans, and performance SUVs. They sustain speeds up to 149 mph and are designed for performance-oriented vehicles, handling aggressive driving, high speed highway cruising, and track days effectively.
Max Speed
168 mph
270 km/h
W-rated tires are designed for high performance sports cars, exotic vehicles, and performance SUVs. With a sustained speed capability of up to 168 mph, these tires are found on vehicles with serious performance credentials and are built for high speed driving on superhighways or racetracks.
Max Speed
186 mph
300 km/h
Y-rated tires are reserved for supercars, exotic sports cars, and ultra-high-performance vehicles. They can sustain speeds up to 186 mph and are found only on the fastest production vehicles, featuring specialized compounds and construction for extreme speed stability.
Max Speed
186+ mph
300+ km/h
Tires with (Y) rating are designed for hypercars, limited-production supercars, and specialized racing vehicles. These tires can sustain speeds exceeding 186 mph, with the specific maximum speed noted by the manufacturer. They are engineered for vehicles capable of speeds over 186 mph. You’ll find them on vehicles like the Bugatti Chiron.
Understanding the ZR Designation
ZR is a special designation that appears within the tire size itself, rather than at the end. For example, 225/45ZR17.
The ZR designation indicates any tire rated above 149 mph. As tire performance advanced, W and Y ratings were created to distinguish between higher speed tiers, and ZR became less specific on its own.
Today, ZR in the size simply signals a high performance tire. The actual speed capability is still defined by the letter at the end of the full size:
- 225/45ZR17 94Wrated for 168 mph
- 255/40ZR18 95Yrated for 186 mph
ZR without a trailing letter is rare on modern tires but still appears on some older or specialized fitments. When in doubt, look for the letter after the load index; it is always the definitive speed rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Speed rating indicates the maximum speed a tire can safely sustain based on the vehicle’s recommended specifications and your driving habits. It's represented by a series of letters, running from A (lowest) up to Y (highest), though letters do not follow a strict alphabetical order. Each letter corresponds to a specific speed threshold tested under controlled conditions. This helps match tires to the vehicle’s performance requirements and driving conditions.
V-rated tires can safely sustain speeds up to 149 mph (240 km/h). This rating is designed for performance sedans, sports cars, and high performance vehicles that require responsive handling and stability at elevated speeds. V-rated tires typically feature construction designed for enhanced grip and heat dissipation during spirited driving.
H-rated tires support speeds up to 130 mph (210 km/h). This is a common rating that fits most passenger vehicles, crossovers, and SUVs. It balances performance capability with everyday driving comfort, providing adequate speed capacity for highway travel while maintaining durability and tread life for typical driving conditions.
T-rated tires handle speeds up to 118 mph (190 km/h). This rating is often seen on family sedans, minivans, and economy cars, where moderate speed capability is enough for daily commuting. T-rated tires prioritize comfort, fuel efficiency, and longevity over high-speed performance characteristics.
The speed rating can be found on the tire’s sidewall as part of the performance code, located immediately after the tire size and load index. For example, in the 225/65/R17 102H, the letter “H” is the speed rating. This code is usually the last part of the main character string before you see the brand name or model.
S-rated tires sustain speeds up to 112 mph (180 km/h). This rating is commonly found on family vehicles, vans, and light-duty applications where moderate speed capability suits typical driving conditions. S-rated tires emphasize ride comfort and tread longevity over performance, making them appropriate for drivers who rarely approach highway speed limits.