Understanding tyre markings

What do the tyre markings mean?

The following tyre markings are for cars.

Example: 165/65 R 14 88H

165: This value gives you the nominal width in milli meter, which is the distance between the tyre walls.

Usually, tyres are sized in 10mm increments with the last digit being a 5.

65: Is the aspect ratio, which is the height to width ration. The number is the percentage of width designating the hight of the tyre. In the above example it is 65% of 165mm.

R: Designation for a radial tyre

14: Designetes the diameter of the rim in inches.

88: Is the load rating

Load ratings:

70 = 335kg
71 = 345kg
72 = 355kg
73 = 365kg
74 = 375kg
75 = 387kg
76 = 400kg
77 = 412kg
78 = 425kg
79 = 437kg
80 = 450kg
81 = 462kg
82 = 475kg
83 = 487kg
84 = 500kg
85 = 515kg
86 = 530kg
87 = 545kg
88 = 560kg
89 = 580kg
90 = 600kg
91 = 615kg

h: Designates the maximum speed rating.

Q = up to 160kph
R = up to 170kph
S = up to 180kph
T = up to 190kph
U = up to 200kph
H = up to 210kph
v = up to 240kph

Snow tyres:

QM + S = up to 160kph
TM + S = up to 190kph
HM + S = up to 210kph