What do tyre size numbers mean?
These tyre size numbers tell you many important pieces of information: tyre width, aspect ratio, construction, inside diameter of the tyre, load capacity, and speed rating. Imagine that your tyre’s sequence of numbers says: 220/53 R19 89
With a little explanation, it’s easy to understand what all of the letters and numbers mean on your tire’s sidewall. The numbers are indicators of the size, type, and performance of the tire.
The letter “P” at the beginning of the “Tire Size” tells us the tire is a P-Metric tire, referring to tires made to certain standards within the United States, intended for Passenger vehicles. If a tire size has no letters at the beginning, this indicates a Euro-metric tire. P-Metric and Euro-Metric tires may have different load capacities. The letters “LT,” either at the beginning or at the end of the tire size indicate the tire was designed for light trucks. Vehicle manufacturers equip some light trucks with “LT” type tires. These tires generally require higher inflation pressures than passenger tires. Consult your owner’s manual or tire placard for the recommended tire size and inflation pressure for your vehicle.
