The load index for tires is part and parcel in ensuring safe driving and optimal performance of your vehicle. We’re always advised to choose a tire with the correct load index to avoid tire failure and accidents.

The tire load index chart provides valuable information on load capacity and can help you select the right tire for your vehicle. Let’s dive deeper and learn more details.

What Is Load Rating On Tires And Where To Find It?

The tire load index is a rating system that indicates the maximum weight a tire can carry safely. It’s an essential factor to consider when buying new tires for your vehicle because exceeding the maximum weight limit can lead to tire failure and even accidents.

The load index is usually represented by a number series, with each number corresponding to a specific weight capacity in pounds. The higher the load index number, the more weight the tire can carry.

You can find the load index of your tires by looking at the sidewall, where it’s usually listed along with the tire’s size, speed rating, and other essential information.

Is The Tire Load Index Important?

Yes. The tire load index is a must to consider when buying new tires or replacing old ones. Exceeding tires’ weight limit can lead to tire failure and accidents.

Once when my family moved to a new apartment, I tried to squeeze as much stuff as possible into my Standard Ford F150, while the load index rating was only 77, meaning that all four tires could handle more than 3,600 pounds.

The thing is: I forgot to count the driver (me) and the passengers’ weight (my family). Soon after I hit the road, I could sense the tires wobbling clearly and not following my steering wheel’s direction. Then, I knew I had to take 2 trips to transport all my stuff.

Choosing a tire with a load index lower than your vehicle’s weight can result in increased wear and tear, reduced fuel efficiency, and a shorter lifespan for the tire.

On the other hand, selecting a tire with a higher load index than necessary can lead to overpaying and a rougher ride. It’s important to consult your vehicle owner’s manual or a tire expert to determine the appropriate load index for your vehicle.

Tire Load Rating Chart

Although some are higher, the majority of passenger-car tire load indices fall between 75 and 100. The conversion of load indices to weight is depicted in the table. You can multiply the number by 4 (4 tires) to calculate your car’s payload capacity.

Load Index	Load (lbs)	Load Index	Load (lbs)
0	99	76	882
1	102	77	908
2	105	78	937
3	107	79	963
4	110	80	992
5	114	81	1019
6	117	82	1047
7	120	83	1074
8	123	84	1102
9	128	85	1135
10	132	86	1168
11	136	87	1201
12	139	88	1235
13	143	89	1279
14	148	90	1323
15	152	91	1356
16	157	92	1389
17	161	93	1433
18	165	94	1477
19	171	95	1521
20	176	96	1565
21	182	97	1609
22	187	98	1653
23	193	99	1709
24	198	100	1764
25	204	101	1819
26	209	102	1874
27	215	103	1929
28	220	104	1984
29	227	105	2039
30	234	106	2094
31	240	107	2149
32	247	108	2205
33	254	109	2271
34	260	110	2337
35	267	111	2403
36	276	112	2469
37	282	113	2535
38	291	114	2601
39	300	115	2679
40	309	116	2756
41	320	117	2833
42	331	118	2910
43	342	119	2998
44	353	120	3086
45	364	121	3197
46	375	122	3307
47	386	123	3417
48	397	124	3527
49	408	125	3638
50	419	126	3748
51	430	127	3858
52	441	128	3968
53	454	129	4079
54	467	130	4189
55	481	131	4289
56	494	132	4409
57	507	133	4541
58	520	134	4674
59	536	135	4806
60	551	136	4938
61	567	137	5071
62	584	138	5203
63	600	139	5357
64	617	140	5512
65	639	141	5677
66	639	142	5842
67	677	143	6008
68	694	144	6173
69	716	145	6393
70	739	146	6614
71	761	147	6779
72	783	148	6844
73	805	149	7165
74	827	150	7385
75	852

What Do SL And XL Mean On Tires?

If you’ve ever shopped for tires, you may have noticed the letters “SL” or “XL” on the tire sidewall. These letters indicate the tire’s load range and capacity, just like the load index rating.

What does SL mean on tires? It stands for “standard load,” indicating that the tire can carry up to its maximum load capacity at a specified tire maximum air pressure.

XL, on the other hand, denotes “extra load” or “reinforced,” which means that the tire can carry a higher weight at the same pressure as a standard tire. XL tires are typically designed for vehicles with greater performance or load bearing capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Higher Load Index Better?

Yes. A higher load index shows that a tire can carry excess weight safely. Therefore, a greater load index would be better if a tire is required for this specification. However, when a tire with a proper load index is used unnecessarily, it can result in reduced ride comfort and higher cost.

How Do You Calculate Tire Load Index?

The tire load index is a standardized rating system established by tire manufacturers. It’s not calculated but determined through testing and assigning a specific load index number based on the tire’s maximum load carrying capacity.

What Is The Difference Between 94 And 98 Load Indexes?

The difference between the two is the weight-carrying capacity of the tire. The maximum weight limitation the former can support is 1477 pounds, whereas the number of the latter is 1653 pounds. This means that a tire with a load index of 98 can support more weight than one with a load index of 94.

What Is The Highest Load Rating Tire?

The highest load rating for a tire is 110. Tires with a load index of 110 can transport a maximum weight of 5512 pounds. These tires are typically meant for heavy-duty vehicles such as commercial trucks, buses, and trailers that require high weight-carrying capacity.

The Bottom Line

The trailer tire load range chart is a handy reference for selecting the right tire for your vehicle. It provides valuable information on load capacity and helps ensure optimal performance and safe driving. And don’t ever think of exceeding that weight limit.