What Are Tyre Speed Ratings?
Tyre speed ratings give the maximum speed a tyre is legally approved for. To find the speed rating of your tyres, check the side of your tyre. It will be at the end of where the tyre’s size is shown and will start with a letter and follow with a number.
Knowing what your tyre speed rating is will enable you to be more aware of the maximum speed your tyres can maintain safely. The tyre speed rating should be applied to the top speed of your car. Lower speed tyres can affect the quality of your car and also your insurance.
The rating system is made up of letters; this on average can be a difference of 10km/h or 6mph per speed rating. The speed ratings are tested by engineers who run the tyre at 10km/h or 6.2 mph steps, in 10-minute increases, until they meet the necessary speed.
Higher performance cars tend to have larger tyres which give a higher speed rating, as they tend to be able to meet higher speeds more comfortably and therefore could have Y-rated tyres fitted. See the full list below for all of the tyre speed ratings.
Tyre fitting garages should know the correct tyre speed rating for your car, however, there are online tyre speed rating services available for you to check yourself, you just need to provide your vehicle registration number to be given it.
Tyre Speed Rating By Letters:
- N: 87mph
- P: 93mph
- Q: 99mph
- R: 106mph
- S: 112mph
- T: 118mph
- U: 124mph
- H: 130mph
- V: 149mph
- Z: 150+ mph
- W: 168mph
- Y: 186mph
If you need advice on which tyres you should be replaced on your car, contact us and book a free tyre health check where we can advise how long you have until you need to change and the best possible options for your vehicle.