Tire Speed Ratings Explained (What Do You Need To Know?)

We get a lot of questions on tire speed ratings, what they mean, and how they change what tire you need, so we figured to produce a guide on it.What Are Tire Speed Ratings?Here’s a simple explanation of the tire speed rating chart:Also known as the speed symbol, tire speed ratings are recommendations that indicate the maximum speed capability of a specific tire. Car tire’s speed ratings range from ‘A1’ to ‘(Y)’ — ‘A1’ being the slowest, and ‘(Y)’ being the fastest (see chart below). The reason for a speed rating is to have a safety standard in place for tire manufacturers.Typically the speed rating chart goes in alphabetical order in accordance with speeds from lowest to highest. However, you will notice H does not come after G. This is because the original three letters for speed ratings were H, S, and V.When the full speed rating chart was put into effect H already had a designated speed of 130 MPH. That is why you will see H much higher on the chart.You can find these different spee...