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September 10, 2020

Tire Load Index: What It Means

The tire load index is one of several very important metrics to keep in mind while you’re buying new tires along with the size and speed rating. This index can be hugely important if you’re one of the millions of Americans choosing to hitch a camper to your car or hoping to help a friend move. Knowing about load index will help prevent blowouts, damaged tires and potential accidents.

What is a tire load index?

This is a rating that indicates the load-carrying capacity of your tire at maximum air pressure. Basically, this number indicates whether your truck or vehicle can carry the weight it needs to. The higher the number, the greater the carrying capacity.

The number itself is not the weight it can carry; it’s an index, or a representative indicator, that describes the weight it can carry. You’ll want to use our handy tire load rating chart to figure it out.

Where can I find the tire load index on my tires?

This number can usually be found on the sidewall of your tire. (The tire load index number is typically the last number on the sidewall that’s followed by a letter, which is the speed rating.) If you don’t know what load index your car should normally have, check your car’s manual.

Does the tire load rating matter?

Yes, knowing your proper tire load index can help prevent potential blowouts, structural damage and quickened wear-and-tear on your tires. This tire index is especially important for people hoping to haul equipment, trailers and more people. It’s important to remember that these ratings are for a fully inflated tire, rather than a poorly inflated one.

Those shopping for new tires should not consider buying a tire with a lower carrying capacity than what was factory installed (in other words, the original equipment). Also, you don’t want to just buy for the weight of the car itself but also the weight of the passengers, objects and hauled loads that you may be carrying.

What is the most common tire load range?

Your average commuter car or light truck will range from about 70 to 124 for load index; 117 is a pretty typical load rating for a car.

Tire Load Index Chart

Here, you can find most of the more common indexes in our tire load rating chart:

Load Index

Load Capacity (lbs)

70

739 lbs

71

761 lbs

72

783 lbs

73

805 lbs

74

827 lbs

75

852 lbs

76

882 lbs

77

908 lbs

78

937 lbs

79

963 lbs

80

992 lbs

81

1019 lbs

82

1047 lbs

83

1074 lbs

84

1102 lbs

85

1135 lbs

86

1168 lbs

87

1201 lbs

88

1235 lbs

89

1279 lbs

90

1323 lbs

91

1356 lbs

92

1389 lbs

93

1433 lbs

94

1477 lbs

95

1521 lbs

96

1565 lbs

97

1609 lbs

98

1653 lbs

99

1709 lbs

100

1764 lbs

101

1819 lbs

102

1874 lbs

103

1929 lbs

104

1984 lbs

105

2039 lbs

106

2094 lbs

107

2149 lbs

108

2205 lbs

109

2271 lbs

110

2337 lbs

111

2403 lbs

112

2469 lbs

113

2535 lbs

114

2601 lbs

115

2679 lbs

116

2756 lbs

117

2833 lbs

118

2910 lbs

119

2998 lbs

120

3086 lbs

121

3197 lbs

122

3307 lbs

123

3417 lbs

124

3527 lbs

125

3638 lbs

If you have a special tire situation for a large truck, connect with TIRE OUTLET to take a load off and have your questions answered! Schedule your appointment for brand new tires today!

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