Tyre Speed Ratings

Tyre Speed Symbols & Categories

Most car and van tyres used in the UK have both a load and speed rating after the tyre size, e.g. 195/65R15 is usually followed by 91V. This means the tyres can carry their rated load upto a maximum non-stop speed of 240 kph. When replacing tyres it is important to ensure the new tyres, even if a different size, have the same or a higher speed rating. However, in the UK, with a national speed limit of 70 mph, it is quite safe and not illegal to fit a tyre with a lower speed rating. The table below shows the maximum speeds applicable to each speed letter.

KPH
300
290
280
270
260
250
240
230
220
210
200
190
180
170
160
Q
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
R
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
     
S
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
     
     
T
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
     
     
     
U
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
     
     
     
     
H
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
     
     
     
     
     
     
V
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
W
_
_
_
_
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
Y
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
Z
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
MPH
190
_
_
170
_
_
150
_
_
130
125
119
113
106
100

Marking Characteristics

Speed Symbol “N” For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 140 Km/h (88 Mph)
Speed Symbol “P” For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 150 Km/h (94 Mph)
Speed Symbol “Q” For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 160 Km/h (100 Mph)
Speed Symbol “R” For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 170 Km/h (106 Mph)
Speed Symbol “S” For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 180 Km/h (113 Mph)
Speed Symbol “T” For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 190 Km/h (119 Mph)
Speed Symbol “U” For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 200 Km/h (125 Mph)
Speed Symbol “H” For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 210 Km/h (130 Mph)
Speed Symbol “V” For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 240 Km/h (e.g. 225/55 R 15 91V)
Speed Symbol “W” For vehicles having speed capability not exceeding 270 Km/h (e.g. 225/60 R 15 96W)
Speed Symbol “Y” For vehicles having speed capability not exceeding 300 Km/h (e.g. 275/40 R 18 94Y)
Speed Category “VR” For vehicles having speed capability over 210 Km/h (e.g. 195/50 VR 15)
Speed Category “ZR” For vehicles with a speed capability over 240 Km/h (e.g. 205/40 ZR 17)
ZR+ Speed Symbol “W” Tyres marked with both designations for vehicles with speed capability over 240 Km/h but not exceeding 270 Km/h
ZR+ Speed Symbol “Y” Tyres marked with both designations for vehicles with speed capability over 240 Km/h but not exceeding 300 Km/h