Tire Load Index Chart

It's the number right before the speed rating letter, at the end of the full size -- for example in "265/70R17 115T", 115 is the load index (1215 kg / 2679 lbs per tire) and T is the speed rating. The lookup above reads it straight out of a size like that if you paste the whole thing.

It's a code, not the weight itself -- higher numbers mean more capacity. Index 91 carries 615 kg (1356 lbs) per tire; index 109 carries 1030 kg (2271 lbs); index 121 carries 1450 kg (3197 lbs). The chart above covers every index from 60 to 130, which spans essentially all passenger, CUV/SUV and light-truck tires.

Check your vehicle's tire placard (usually inside the driver's door jamb) or owner's manual for the specified size and load index -- it's chosen for your vehicle's weight, not something to pick independently. If you're comparing a replacement size, use the capacity-to-index lookup above with your vehicle's required per-tire capacity to find the minimum acceptable index.

Generally yes -- a higher load index means more capacity, which is not unsafe by itself. What matters is not going BELOW your vehicle's specified index. Also recheck inflation pressure: a tire's rated capacity assumes the tire is inflated to the pressure molded on ITS sidewall (the tire's max, not necessarily your vehicle's placard number), and capacity drops if under-inflated.

XL (Extra Load) or Reinforced tires are built with a stronger casing that carries a higher load index than the standard version of the same tire size, when inflated to a higher maximum pressure than a standard-load tire of that size. Check the specific tire's sidewall for its exact XL load index and max pressure, since the increase varies by tire model -- this page's chart applies to whatever load index is actually printed on the tire, XL or not.

Light truck (LT) tires add a Load Range letter after the size (e.g. LT245/75R16 load range E) instead of relying on the load index alone. It signals the tire's ply rating and maximum cold inflation pressure category -- a higher letter generally means a stronger casing built for higher pressure and heavier loads. Because the exact capacity for a given load range varies by tire model, check the specific tire's sidewall or the manufacturer's specification sheet for its exact rated capacity and pressure rather than assuming a fixed number from the letter alone.

The chart above shows both the per-tire figure and the total for 4 tires at that index -- useful for a quick sanity check against your vehicle's gross axle weight rating (GAWR), though the GAWR (not simple tire capacity times 4) is what actually limits how much your vehicle can carry.

No -- load index is about weight capacity, not tire diameter. If you're changing tire SIZE (not just load index within the same size), check the speedometer calculator for how that affects your speedometer and odometer.