Load index (95 in 95H)

How to read it

USTMA and Bridgestone describe the load index as a numerical code for the maximum load a tire can carry; Bridgestone adds that it applies at the speed of the tire’s speed symbol, under specified service conditions. It follows the size and comes before the Speed rating (H in 95H); together they are the service description. The number is not a weight: Pirelli says it is not stated in pounds or any other unit, and it is looked up on a standard chart. Ireland’s vehicle testing service says its chart is taken from UN Regulation 54. NHTSA and Ford note that US federal law doesn’t require the load index, so not every tire has one. The tire also states the weight itself as its maximum load.

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Load index chart, 76 to 125

Kilograms from the tables published by Bridgestone and Ireland’s CVRT; pounds from Pirelli’s chart.

The rest of the scale

The scale starts at 60 (250 kg); 70 is 335 kg and 75 is 387 kg. Bridgestone’s table runs up to 209 (18,500 kg), and CVRT’s to 200 (14,000 kg). Pirelli says the index is usually between 75 and 100 on passenger cars, and BFGoodrich puts typical passenger car and light truck tires between 70 and 110.

Two numbers, such as 120/116

On light truck tires the index is often two numbers separated by a slash. Pirelli says the first is the rating for the tire used singly and the second for the tire used as a dual, side by side on a rear axle; USTMA’s example is LT245/75R16 120/116Q.

The same index, a different load

Bridgestone’s manual says tires with the same load index may or may not carry the same load, and may need substantially different pressures. Its example: a P205/65R15 and a 205/65R15, both 92, carry 1,334 lb and 1,257 lb at 220 kPa (32 psi). An extra load tire has a higher index than the standard load version of the same size.