Tyre load index – what does this mean?

The tyre load index (also known as the load capacity index, tyre load rating or tyre hire load index) identifies the maximum load capacity of a tyre, i.e. the absolute carrying capacity. You will find this information on your tyres. But how is this number calculated?

Tyre load capacity: Calculator for the maximum load

If you would like to go on holiday with a packed car or help someone move, it is important to know how much weight your tyres can carry. A tyre is not designed for loads of any size. That's why it is important that you know and do not exceed the load capacity of your tyres. The tyre load capacity is not so well known. The figure indicates the maximum possible load of a tyre. To calculate the load your rims and car can carry, in theory you can just take a look at your vehicle registration or the tyre sidewall. You will find the tyre labelling there.

The two- to three-digit number in the penultimate position stands for the tyre load capacity of your tyres. However, these indicators do not reveal anything about the permissible load in kilograms. So this is a useless indicator in everyday life. It is easier to calculate the tyre load rating using our load index table for tyres. There you can find the maximum load in kilograms for the respective rating. For a tyre code with the digits 195/55 R16 87 V, the 87 in the penultimate position is relevant: This represents a tyre load rating of 87, i.e. a load capacity of 545 kilograms.

Uniroyal. A brand of Continental.*