Tire Codes and Ratings - The Basics

"255" Section Width: The width of the tire in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall. This measurement varies depending on the width of the rim to which the tire is fitted: larger on a wider rim, smaller on a narrow rim. The number on the side of tire indicates the width measured with the tire fitted to the tire manufacturers recommended rim width.


"60" Aspect Ratio: The ratio of height to width (this tire's height is 60 percent of its width).


"R" Construction: How the plies are constructed in the tire carcass. "R" means radial. "B" in place of the "R" means the tire is belted bias construction. "D" in place of the "R" means diagonal bias construction. The vast majority of modern cars, SUVs, and trucks use radial tires.


"15" Rim Diameter: The diameter of the steel or aluminum wheel in inches the tire will fit.


"102" Load Index: This tire has an industry-standard maximum load of 1,874 lbs. Different numbers correspond to different maximum loads. The maximum load is shown in lbs. (pounds) and in kg (kilograms), and maximum pressure in PSI (pounds per square inch) and in kPa (kilopascals).