How to read the sidewall of a tyre:

The writing and symbols on the sidewall of your tyre aren’t there simply to make it look good, they all tell you something about the specification of the tyre.

That includes the speed at which the tyre can safely be used, the loads it can carry, its width, which way round to mount it on the wheel, where it’s made and what safety standards it’s passed. At first glance you might think all that information is hidden away in secret code, but if you follow our easy-to-use guide, you’ll see that there’s really no great mystery.


This is what you can find on a tyre:

  1. Nominal width of tyre
  2. Aspect ratio
  3. Wheel rim diameter
  4. Load index
  5. Speed symbol
  6. Denotes type of construction (radial)
  7. Denotes direction of tyre rotation when fitted
  8. Reinforced marking where applicable
  9. M+S (Mud and Snow) Marking where applicable indicating tyre has winter type tread pattern
  10. Country of manufacture