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what does load index mean on tires

The load index on a tire is a code number that tells you the maximum weight that one tire can safely carry at its rated max air pressure.

Quick Scoop

  • The load index is the two- or three-digit number near the end of the tire size (for example: 205/55R16 91V → “91” is the load index).
  • It does not show the weight directly; you look it up in a chart to see the actual pounds or kilograms it can carry.
  • The higher the load index number, the more weight that tire can support.

Simple example

  • A tire with a load index of 87 can carry about 1,201 lb when inflated to its specified maximum pressure.
  • A tire with a load index of 92 can carry about 1,389 lb under the same conditions.
  • If your car has four tires with a load index of 92, the combined tire load capacity is roughly 5,556 lb (1,389 × 4), which must be enough for the vehicle weight plus passengers and cargo.

Why it matters

  • You should never use replacement tires with a lower load index than what came from the factory, because they may not safely carry your vehicle’s weight.
  • Using the correct or higher load index helps with safety, braking, and handling when the vehicle is fully loaded.

Load index vs. load range

  • Load index: numeric code that translates to a specific weight capacity per tire.
  • Load range: a letter (like C, D, E) that relates to tire construction and allowable pressure, indirectly tied to how robust the tire is.

Small HTML load index snippet

Here is a short HTML table showing a few common load index values and their capacities:

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Load Index</th>
      <th>Max Load (lbs)</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr><td>87</td><td>1201</td></tr>
    <tr><td>90</td><td>1323</td></tr>
    <tr><td>92</td><td>1389</td></tr>
    <tr><td>95</td><td>1521</td></tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

These values are typical figures taken from standard tire load index charts.

TL;DR: “What does load index mean on tires?” → It’s the number that tells you how much weight each tire can safely carry at the proper max pressure, and you should always match or exceed your vehicle’s original rating.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.