What does the tyre marking 205/55 R16 91V mean?

It is the complete size designation: 205 is the section width in millimetres, 55 is the sidewall height as a percentage of the width, R means radial construction, 16 is the rim diameter in inches, 91 is the load index (615 kg per tyre) and V is the speed rating (up to 240 km/h). All five parts should match your car manufacturer’s specification, found in the owner’s manual or on the door-jamb sticker.

What is the load index and why does it matter?

The load index is a number showing how much weight one tyre can carry. Index 91, for example, means 615 kg per tyre, or 2460 kg across four tyres. A tyre with a lower index than the manufacturer specifies can overheat and fail under full load, and it may not satisfy insurance or roadworthiness requirements. Always choose an index at least as high as the carmaker prescribes.

What do the speed ratings T, H, V and W mean?

The speed rating is the highest speed a tyre can sustain for longer periods: T = 190 km/h, H = 210 km/h, V = 240 km/h and W = 270 km/h. As a rule, the rating should be at least as high as the car manufacturer specifies. A higher rating is always acceptable; for winter tyres many countries permit a lower rating, provided the car’s speed is limited accordingly.

Where do I find the correct tyre size for my car?

The most trustworthy places are the manufacturer’s tyre-pressure sticker, usually on the driver’s door jamb or inside the fuel flap, and the owner’s manual — both list every approved size with its load and speed indexes. Your current tyres show the fitted size, but that is not necessarily the factory one. Manufacturers often approve several sizes, for instance a smaller rim diameter for a winter set.

How to read a tyre size: what 205/55 R16 91V means

Every tyre sidewall carries a marking like 205/55 R16 91V. It describes the tyre’s dimensions and permitted load precisely, but at first glance it reads like a code. In fact each part is logical, and decoding it takes only a moment.

The marking, part by part

Take 205/55 R16 91V as the example.

205 is the section width in millimetres — the width of the tyre from sidewall to sidewall.

55 is the aspect ratio in per cent: the sidewall height is 55% of the width, so roughly 113 mm. A smaller number means a lower, sportier-looking sidewall.

R stands for radial construction, the standard for modern passenger tyres.

16 is the rim diameter in inches — this tyre mounts on a 16-inch wheel.

91 is the load index: 91 corresponds to 615 kg per tyre. A higher number means the tyre carries more weight.

V is the speed rating, the maximum sustained speed: V = 240 km/h. Other common ratings are T = 190, H = 210 and W = 270 km/h.

Where to find the right size for your car

The most reliable sources are the car’s own documentation: the owner’s manual and the tyre-pressure sticker on the driver’s door jamb or inside the fuel flap, which list the manufacturer-approved sizes. The same size can be read off your current tyres, but bear in mind a previous owner may have fitted a non-standard size.

When buying new tyres, make sure the load index and speed rating are at least as high as the manufacturer specifies. For example, tyres in the popular 205/55 R16 size are listed in our catalogue at /tires/205-55-r16.

Frequently asked questions

What does the tyre marking 205/55 R16 91V mean?: It is the complete size designation: 205 is the section width in millimetres, 55 is the sidewall height as a percentage of the width, R means radial construction, 16 is the rim diameter in inches, 91 is the load index (615 kg per tyre) and V is the speed rating (up to 240 km/h). All five parts should match your car manufacturer’s specification, found in the owner’s manual or on the door-jamb sticker.
What is the load index and why does it matter?: The load index is a number showing how much weight one tyre can carry. Index 91, for example, means 615 kg per tyre, or 2460 kg across four tyres. A tyre with a lower index than the manufacturer specifies can overheat and fail under full load, and it may not satisfy insurance or roadworthiness requirements. Always choose an index at least as high as the carmaker prescribes.
What do the speed ratings T, H, V and W mean?: The speed rating is the highest speed a tyre can sustain for longer periods: T = 190 km/h, H = 210 km/h, V = 240 km/h and W = 270 km/h. As a rule, the rating should be at least as high as the car manufacturer specifies. A higher rating is always acceptable; for winter tyres many countries permit a lower rating, provided the car’s speed is limited accordingly.
Where do I find the correct tyre size for my car?: The most trustworthy places are the manufacturer’s tyre-pressure sticker, usually on the driver’s door jamb or inside the fuel flap, and the owner’s manual — both list every approved size with its load and speed indexes. Your current tyres show the fitted size, but that is not necessarily the factory one. Manufacturers often approve several sizes, for instance a smaller rim diameter for a winter set.