Full tire speed rating chart
| Letter | Max speed (mph) | Max speed (km/h) |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 3 | 5 |
| A2 | 6 | 10 |
| A3 | 9 | 15 |
| A4 | 12 | 20 |
| A5 | 16 | 25 |
| A6 | 19 | 30 |
| A7 | 22 | 35 |
| A8 | 25 | 40 |
| B | 31 | 50 |
| C | 37 | 60 |
| D | 40 | 65 |
| E | 43 | 70 |
| F | 50 | 80 |
| G | 56 | 90 |
| J | 62 | 100 |
| K | 68 | 110 |
| L | 75 | 120 |
| M | 81 | 130 |
| N | 87 | 140 |
| P | 93 | 150 |
| Q | 99 | 160 |
| R | 106 | 170 |
| S | 112 | 180 |
| T | 118 | 190 |
| U | 124 | 200 |
| H | 130 | 210 |
| V | 149 | 240 |
| W | 168 | 270 |
| Y | 186 | 300 |
| (Y) | over 186 | over 300 |
How to read the speed rating in a size
The speed rating is the letter at the very end of the service description, right after the load index. In 265/70R17, the service description is 115T: 115 is the load index, and T is the speed rating -- max 118 mph (190 km/h).
H vs V (and the letters around them)
H (130 mph / 210 km/h) and V (149 mph / 240 km/h) sit right next to each other in the middle of the chart and are two of the most common ratings on everyday passenger cars and crossovers. V-rated tires are generally built for more sustained heat at higher speed and firmer high-speed handling, often at a small cost to ride comfort; H-rated tires are more common on family sedans and crossovers built more for comfort and efficiency. Match whichever your vehicle manufacturer specifies unless you have a specific reason (and understand the tradeoffs) to go higher.
Can I mix speed ratings on one vehicle?
The safest approach is the same rating on all four corners, matching the vehicle manufacturer's specification. If you must temporarily run a lower-rated tire (e.g. a mismatched spare or a single replacement), common guidance is to put the lower-rated tire on the rear axle only and keep your speed under that tire's rating -- check your specific vehicle, since some vehicles are sensitive to any tire mismatch across an axle or between axles at all.
Related tire tools
- Tire load index chart: the number right before the speed rating in a size, and what it means for weight capacity.
- Tire size calculator: full dimensions of a tire size, plus equivalent sizes.
- Tire date code decoder: decode the DOT manufacture date and check tire age.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the speed rating in a tire size?
It's the letter right after the load index, at the end of the full size -- for example in "265/70R17 115T", 115 is the load index and T is the speed rating (max 118 mph / 190 km/h). The lookup above reads it straight out of a size like that if you paste the whole thing.
What is the difference between H and V speed ratings?
H is rated to 130 mph (210 km/h) and V to 149 mph (240 km/h) -- V is the higher rating, typically found on sportier trims and performance-oriented tires, and often built with a stiffer, more heat-resistant construction to sustain higher sustained speeds. Neither rating is a speed you're expected to actually drive; it reflects the tire's tested capability, including how well it manages heat at sustained high speed.
Can I mix tires with different speed ratings?
Tire manufacturers and most tire shops recommend fitting the SAME speed rating on all four tires, matching what the vehicle manufacturer specifies. If that is not possible, guidance generally allows a lower-rated tire only on the rear axle (never the front) of most vehicles, and the vehicle should then not be driven above that lower rating's max speed -- check your specific vehicle's owner manual, since some vehicles (e.g. certain AWD systems) are sensitive to any difference between axles at all, including tire diameter and rating.
Do I need a tire rated for speeds I never actually drive?
It's still worth matching the original equipment rating (or higher). The speed rating also correlates with how the tire's compound and construction handle heat, cornering loads and load-carrying performance at a given size -- it isn't purely about top speed. Going to a noticeably lower rating than what the vehicle was designed for can affect handling and heat tolerance even well under that speed.
What does "(Y)" mean, in parentheses?
A speed rating in parentheses, like (Y), means the tire is rated for over that speed (over 186 mph / 300 km/h for (Y)) -- used on some ultra-high-performance tires. Y without parentheses means capable up to 186 mph, but not necessarily beyond it.
What is "ZR" in a tire size, like 225/45ZR17?
ZR marked a tire capable of over 149 mph (240 km/h), from before speed ratings extended past Z with the more specific V, W and Y letters. Today ZR often appears alongside a V, W or Y speed rating in the service description (e.g. "91Y" after "ZR17"), with that trailing letter giving the tire's actual specific maximum speed.
Does a higher speed rating mean a better tire?
Not necessarily overall -- it's one property among many (tread life, wet/snow traction, ride comfort, noise). A higher speed rating usually trades off some ride comfort and tread life for higher-speed heat resistance and cornering grip, which is why manufacturers pick a rating to match the vehicle's intended use, not simply the highest available.
Where do I find my vehicle's required speed rating?
On the tire placard, usually inside the driver's door jamb, or in the owner's manual -- alongside the recommended tire size and load index.