T
190 km/h
118 mph
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Tire rating guide
Tire Speed Rating Chart & Meaning
The speed symbol in a service description such as 102H is a tested speed capability under defined conditions. It is not a safe or legal driving speed. Follow road laws and the vehicle and tire requirements.
Signature example
225/65R17 102 H
H Speed rating
210 km/h km/h
130 mph mph
Laboratory service-rating value under defined conditions — not a recommended road speed.
Need the entire tire code explained? How to Read Tire Sizes → 102 = load index — Tire Load Index Chart →
Speed rating lookup
Enter a symbol from the TireReference production chart (L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, U, H, V, W, Y).
H Speed rating
210 km/h km/h
130 mph mph
Laboratory service-rating value under defined conditions.
Common speed-rating scale
Mapped speed capability for common symbols — not a quality ranking from low to high.
T 190 km/h 118 mph
H 210 km/h 130 mph
V 240 km/h 149 mph
W 270 km/h 168 mph
Y 300 km/h 186 mph
Tire speed rating chart
Symbols and speeds come from the TireReference production resolver. This chart does not add letters the resolver does not map. The full chart is present without JavaScript.
| Symbol | km/h | mph |
|---|---|---|
| L | 120 | 75 |
| M | 130 | 81 |
| N | 140 | 87 |
| P | 150 | 93 |
| Q | 160 | 99 |
| R | 170 | 106 |
| S | 180 | 112 |
| T | 190 | 118 |
| U | 200 | 124 |
| H | 210 | 130 |
| V | 240 | 149 |
| W | 270 | 168 |
| Y | 300 | 186 |
T vs H vs V speed ratings
Mapped maximum speeds — not a ranking of which tire is “better.”
H
210 km/h
130 mph
V
240 km/h
149 mph
These values describe tested speed capability under defined conditions — they are not a ranking of tire quality. Replacement requirements depend on the vehicle and the tire manufacturer, not on picking the highest letter.
Common speed ratings
- T 190 km/h · 118 mph
- H 210 km/h · 130 mph
- V 240 km/h · 149 mph
- W 270 km/h · 168 mph
- Y 300 km/h · 186 mph
ZR, W and Y
The TireReference speed resolver maps letter symbols L through Y (including H, V, W, and Y) to kilometres per hour. It does not include a separate ZR row.
When a sidewall shows ZR together with W or Y, use the letter that appears in the service description and this chart — do not treat ZR as an extra mapped speed in this table.
W 270 km/h · 168 mph
Y 300 km/h · 186 mph
Higher or lower speed ratings
Can you use a higher speed rating?
A higher mapped symbol indicates a higher tested speed capability. That still does not approve a tire that mismatches size, load index, or the vehicle specification.
A higher rating does not automatically mean
- better ride
- better traction
- better longevity
- correct fitment
- correct load capacity
Can you use a lower speed rating?
A lower symbol is a lower mapped speed. Follow vehicle manufacturer requirements and relevant regulations. This page does not issue a blanket approval to downgrade.
Load index vs speed rating
In a service description such as 102H, the two characters describe separate characteristics.
102 Load index
850 kg / 1,874 lb per tire
H Speed rating
210 km/h / 130 mph
Same tire size, different speed rating
Two tires with the same size can have different service descriptions and speed ratings. Indexed TireReference products:
Michelin CrossClimate2
91V
Goodyear Assurance MaxLife®2
94W
Goodyear Discoverer® True North®
94H
Goodyear Eagle® F1 All Season
94Y
Toyo Observe G3-Ice
91T
Same size ≠ same speed rating. Matching 225/45R17 does not guarantee identical load index, speed rating, load range, or tire construction characteristics.
FAQ
What is an H speed rating?
H maps to 210 km/h (130 mph) in the TireReference resolver. That is a tested speed capability under defined conditions, not permission to drive at that speed.
What is a T speed rating?
T maps to 190 km/h (118 mph) in the TireReference resolver.
Is V higher than H?
V maps to 240 km/h (149 mph) and H maps to 210 km/h (130 mph). A higher mapped speed is not a quality ranking. Replacement still follows the vehicle and tire manufacturer.
What does W mean?
W maps to 270 km/h (168 mph) in the TireReference resolver.
What does Y mean?
Y maps to 300 km/h (186 mph) in the TireReference resolver.
Can I use a higher speed rating?
A higher mapped symbol indicates a higher tested speed capability, but size, load index, construction, and the vehicle specification still apply. This is not a universal approval.
Can I use a lower speed rating?
Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s requirements and applicable regulations. This page does not approve stepping below the specified rating.
Does speed rating affect ride quality?
The symbol is a speed-capability code, not a comfort rating. Ride depends on construction, compound, pressure, aspect ratio, and the vehicle.
Continue learning
Kilometres per hour are the production speed-rating table; miles per hour use the same conversion as the rating resolver. See TireReference Data & Calculation Standards.