Tyre Sizes Guide
Understanding your tyre size can be confusing. Until you’re actually faced with having to replace a tyre, the codes on the sidewall of your tyre may seem like a random collection of numbers, but they actually contain vital information about the tyre size your car needs. Each tyre code is used to identify the size, manufacturer and physical features of the tyre and is displayed in this format 205/55R16. In this guide, we’re going to look at the numbers you should pay attention to on your tyre and what each one relates to when you need to buy new tyres.
How to read tyre codes
Your tyre code is a sequence of numbers and letters. With so many different tyre codes available, it’s important to know your existing tyre size to ensure you know what size to order when replacing. The most common UK tyre size is 205/55R16, let’s break down what each part of this code means.
Tyre Width
In this code, the 205 relates to the width of the tyre with the three digits displaying the width in millimetres. A tyre marked with 205 at the start will measure 205mm across the tyre tread from sidewall to sidewall.
Aspect Ratio
The next two digits on your tyre code are the aspect ratio, or profile height of the tyre sidewall expressed as a percentage of the tyre width. Using the 205/55R16 code, the 55 shows that the aspect ratio of the tyre is 55% of the width.
Radial
Almost all new tyres manufactured in the UK are radial tyres. This means that they are constructed with cord piles positioned at a 90-degree angle to the direction of travel in order to give the tyre extra strength. The letter R in the tyre code will identify that your tyre is a radial tyre.
Wheel Diameter
The next two digits on your tyre code identify the size of the wheel rim that the tyre is fitted to, it’s also the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead. In this code 205/55R16, the 16 identifies that the tyre will fit on a 16-inch wheel rim.
What do the other tyre numbers mean?
Although you typically only need the initial code to identify your tyre size, there are other markings on the tyre that you can familiarise yourself with.
Tyre load index
The load index represents the maximum load that the tyre can carry when it is inflated to it’s maximum (safe) pressure. For example, if your tyre has the number 97 following the main tyre code, this identifies that it relates to index 97 on a ‘look-up’ table, which is used to determine the load in kg.
What is the speed rating on tyres?
The speed rating is displayed in the form of a letter and represents the maximum speed that a tyre can carry a load safely. Speed ratings range from A (the lowest) to Y, with H as the exception as it is rated between U and V. As with the load index, each speed rating letter corresponds to a value in km/h. It’s important to note that the maximum speed that your tyre CAN carry does not mean that you can ignore legal speed requirements!
Need help finding the right tyre size? At Tyre Savings, you can search by the size of your tyre or by your vehicle registration. If you have any further questions, get in touch with a member of our team today.
- 205 55 16
- 225 45 17
- 225 50 17
- 205 60 16
- 225 55 17
- 225 40 18
- 215 65 16
- 225 45 18
- 245 45 18
- 205 50 17
- 195 55 16
- 195 65 15
- 215 60 16
- 185 65 15
- 235 55 19
- 205 45 17
- 235 60 18
- 235 55 18
- 215 60 17
- 235 55 17
- 255 55 18
- 215 55 16
- 255 35 19
- 235 50 18
- 205 55 17
- 245 40 18
- 245 40 19
- 215 55 17
- 215 50 17
- 245 45 19
- 255 50 19
- 225 55 16
- 235 35 19
- 235 40 18
- 235 65 17
- 255 55 19
- 245 35 20
- 235 45 18
- 185 60 15
- 235 45 17
- 235 65 16
- 175 65 14
- 215 45 17
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- 315 30 22
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- 175 65 13
- 255 30 21
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- 265 40 19
- 245 40 21
- 195 45 17
- 305 40 20
- 205 45 18
- 265 70 17
- 165 80 14
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- 305 35 20
- 305 30 21
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- 275 60 18
- 255 35 21
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- 245 75 16
- 355 25 21
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- 295 30 21
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- 275 70 16
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- 185 60 16
- 295 25 21
- 175 60 19
- 31 10 15
- 265 75 16
- 225 65 18
- 235 85 16
- 7.5 0 16
- 215 80 15
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- 255 30 22
- 285 65 16
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- 225 40 20
- 315 30 20
- 135 80 13
- 295 45 19
- 325 30 20
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- 235 70 15
- 325 25 20
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- 295 35 23
- 315 25 23
- 325 40 22
- 285 60 18
- 7.5 80 16
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- 255 65 19
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- 185 75 14
- 275 55 20
- 165 70 12
- 325 25 21
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- 325 30 23
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- 325 30 19
- 9.5 0 17
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- 235 30 22
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- 335 30 24
- 6.5 0 16
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- 205 70 16
- 245 30 21
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- 175 70 12
- 215 75 15
- 175 82 13
- 445 45 19
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- 305 25 20
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- 305 70 16
- 385 55 22
- 315 45 21