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 55 17
- 205 60 16
- 215 65 16
- 195 65 15
- 225 50 17
- 225 45 18
- 235 55 19
- 195 55 16
- 215 60 16
- 225 40 18
- 245 45 18
- 235 60 18
- 185 65 15
- 215 60 17
- 235 55 18
- 245 45 19
- 245 40 19
- 215 55 17
- 205 55 17
- 235 50 18
- 245 40 18
- 235 65 16
- 255 45 20
- 255 50 19
- 205 45 17
- 205 50 17
- 255 35 19
- 235 55 17
- 185 60 15
- 225 55 18
- 175 65 14
- 225 60 17
- 215 55 16
- 235 50 19
- 235 65 17
- 215 55 18
- 235 45 18
- 255 55 18
- 235 35 19
- 205 65 16
- 225 40 19
- 255 55 19
- 275 40 20
- 245 35 20
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- 245 45 20
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- 195 60 16
- 215 50 17
- 255 40 20
- 195 75 16
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- 295 35 21
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- 225 70 15
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- 265 40 21
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- 165 65 15
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- 285 30 21
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- 265 65 18
- 275 70 16
- 295 30 21
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- 245 75 16
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- 31 10 15
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- 385 65 22
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- 295 35 23
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- 175 75 16
- 275 60 20
- 295 35 19
- 225 40 20
- 265 45 19
- 145 70 13
- 215 35 19
- 185 80 15
- 235 65 19
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- 295 30 18
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- 325 40 22
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- 155 70 14
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- 7.5 0 16
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- 30 9. 15
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- 5.5 80 13
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- 225 45 21
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- 275 25 24
- 33 12 15
- 225 70 19
- 315 45 21
- 275 70 22
- 195 40 16
- 265 45 22
- 9.5 80 17
- 235 70 15
- 225 30 22
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- 6.0 80 16
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- 245 45 16
- 9.5 0 17
- 205 75 15
- 305 25 22