Your tire sidewall has a code like P225/65R17 98H. Each part means something specific. Get any one of them wrong when shopping and the tire might not fit, might not handle the load, or might be speed-rated lower than your car.
The 225 in 225/65R17 means the tire is 225mm wide from sidewall to sidewall. Most passenger cars run 195-275mm.
The 65 means sidewall height is 65% of tire width. Lower numbers (40, 45, 50) are sportier and harsher. Higher (70, 75) are softer and more SUV-like.
R = Radial. Almost every modern tire is radial. You may also see B (bias-belted, rare) or D (diagonal/bias, mostly trailers).
The 17 is the wheel diameter in inches that this tire fits. This must match your wheel exactly.
98 = load up to 1653 lbs per tire. H = max 130 mph. Never go below your car's original spec. Higher is fine.
| Code Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P | Passenger car (US tire) |
| LT | Light Truck (heavier-duty) |
| 225 | Width in mm |
| 65 | Aspect ratio (sidewall % of width) |
| R | Radial construction |
| 17 | Wheel diameter (inches) |
| 98 | Load index (1653 lbs) |
| H | Speed rating (130 mph) |
| V | Speed rating (149 mph) |
| W | Speed rating (168 mph) |
| Y | Speed rating (186 mph) |
| M+S | Mud + Snow rated |
| 3PMSF | Severe snow rated (3-peak mountain snowflake) |
Tell us your year/make/model and we'll recommend three tires across budget, mid, and premium tiers.
Get My AI Repair Report →$5.99 - precise diagnosis for your exact vehicle.
225 is the tire width in millimeters. 65 is the aspect ratio (sidewall is 65% of width = 146mm tall). R is radial construction. 17 is the rim diameter in inches. So this tire is 225mm wide, with a 146mm sidewall, fitting a 17 inch wheel.
Load index is a number (75-130 typical) that corresponds to the maximum weight the tire can carry, in pounds. A 98 load index = 1653 lbs per tire. Never go below your vehicle's OEM load index.
A letter (S to Y) indicating the max sustained speed the tire is engineered for. S = 112 mph. H = 130. V = 149. W = 168. Y = 186. Never go below OEM rating - your insurance and crash safety depend on it.
Up to about 20mm wider (one size step) is usually fine. More than that and you risk rubbing the fender or strut, throwing off speedometer, or stressing wheel bearings. Verify with a tire-size calculator first.
M+S (Mud + Snow) is a self-certified all-season rating - any tire can claim it. 3PMSF (3-Peak Mountain Snowflake) is a real winter rating earned through testing. Real winter tires have both.
Driver door jamb sticker - lower edge of the driver door when open. Shows tire size, PSI, and load info. Owner's manual also lists it.