T speed rating
T at the end of a tire’s service description, as in 90T, is the speed rating for 190 km/h (118 mph).
Easily confused with
How to read it
On the speed rating chart used by USTMA and Bridgestone, T is 190 km/h (118 mph), between S at 180 km/h (112 mph) and U at 200 km/h (124 mph). NHTSA’s booklet lists T at 118 mph. Bridgestone’s manual gives P205/60R15 90T as an example: load index 90 and speed rating T. Pirelli’s chart lists T tires for family sedans and vans. See the full chart.
Also searched as: T rated tire.
What each marking means under the standard that defines it. This page describes markings; it doesn’t advise on choosing, fitting, inflating or replacing tires.
T at the start or the end
The same letter at the start of a size, as in T125/80R15, marks a temporary spare. The two can appear on one tire: Bridgestone’s example spare is T125/80R15 95M, with speed rating M, 130 km/h (81 mph).
What the rating certifies
BFGoodrich describes a speed rating as the maximum speed at which the tire can carry its rated load under specified conditions, not a recommendation to drive there. It gives T as 118 mph.
Read next
- Next in Tire sidewall markingsH speed ratingH at the end of a tire’s service description, as in 95H, is the speed rating for 210 km/h (130 mph).
- The same shape in Accessibility symbolsAudio description symbol (AD)AD stands for audio description: a narrator describes what is happening on screen or on stage in the pauses between the dialogue, for people who are blind or have low vision.
More tire sidewall markings
The same shape elsewhere
Browse symbols drawn with curves and waves or letters and numbers.
Sources
- Tire Care and Safety Guide, U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), Speed Symbol, p. 8
- Replacement Tire Selection Manual, Ref. No. P-06-01, August 2006, Bridgestone Americas, pp. 5, 7
- Tire Safety: Everything Rides On It, DOT HS 809 361, U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (GovInfo), Speed Rating
- Speed and Load Rating Charts Explained, Bridgestone Australia, Tyre speed symbol table
- Tire speed rating, Pirelli Tire North America, Tire speed rating chart
- Tire Speed Rating Chart & Tire Tread Life, BFGoodrich Tires (Michelin North America), FAQ
Researched, edited and approved by Rory Hansen before publishing. Last reviewed September 29, 2026. How we research
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