What is a tyre speed rating?
Understanding tyre speed ratings
The speed rating is a letter code on your tyre's sidewall that indicates the maximum speed the tyre is designed to handle safely when correctly inflated and under its rated load.
Where to find it
The speed rating is the last letter in the tyre size designation. For example, in 205/55 R16 91V, the speed rating is V.
Common speed ratings
| Rating | Maximum speed | Typical vehicle type |
|---|
| T |
118 mph (190 km/h) |
Family cars and saloons |
| H |
130 mph (210 km/h) |
Saloons and larger cars |
| V |
149 mph (240 km/h) |
Sports saloons and GTIs |
| W |
168 mph (270 km/h) |
Performance cars |
| Y |
186 mph (300 km/h) |
High-performance and supercars |
Why it matters
Always fit tyres with a speed rating that meets or exceeds your vehicle manufacturer's recommendation. A tyre with too low a rating may overheat at sustained speeds, leading to poor handling or tyre failure. It can also invalidate your car insurance and cause an MOT failure. Our registration search on Tyres.co.uk handles this automatically.
