Load Range Vs. Load Index - What Do They Mean?

When looking for new tires, you may come across the terms load range and load index. What do they mean? What information do they tell you about the tire? Here's what you should know about load range vs. load index.

Ply Rating and Load Range

Load range describes how much weight a tire can carry and is based on an older measurement called ply rating. Tires are made from rubber and cord layers called plies. In the past, more plies gave a tire a higher load-carrying capacity, so the number of plies was listed on the tire to show how much weight it could handle.

Now, tires are made from fewer, stronger plies, so the load range has replaced the ply rating. Load range defines a tire's toughness and maximum allowable air pressure and is represented by a letter listed on the side of your tire. Tires with a higher load range can handle heavier loads.

As an example, a C load range indicates a tire that is made with one or two plies that have the equivalent strength of 6 plies. Many load ranges are separated into two categories to further explain their maximum load-carrying tire pressure. For example, C1 and C2 are both 6-ply rated. However, C1 has a maximum air pressure of 50 PSI, while C2 has a maximum air pressure of 35 PSI.

Tires on smaller vehicles like coupes, sedans, minivans, and crossovers usually aren't marked with a load rating because they have a standard 4-ply rating and don't need higher load-carrying capabilities. However, they may be marked as Extra Load (XL or Reinforced) or Standard Load (SL). While both have a 4-ply rating, the Extra Load can support an additional load at up to 42 PSI. The Standard Load is 36 PSI.

You should have one of the tire experts at Mavis Tires & Brakes Tire ensure your tires are properly rated to support the weight of your vehicle.

This chart notes load ranges with their ply ratings and max load carrying air pressure.

Load Range and Ply Rating
Load Range	Ply Rating	Max Load Carrying Air Pressure
Standard Load (SL)	4	36 PSI
Extra Load (XL)	4	42 PSI
C1	6	50 PSI
C2	6	35 PSI
D1	8	65 PSI
D2	8	50 PSI
E1	10	80 PSI
E2	10	65 PSI
F1	12	95 PSI
G	14	110 PSI

Load Carrying Capacity and Load Index

Load index is a number on the tire's sidewall that explicitly indicates the maximum load a tire can carry. Since the load range focuses mostly on a tire's construction, the load index is a more precise method of measurement.

The load index number represents a tire's carrying capacity when inflated to its maximum load sustaining pressure and further explains the tire load range measurement by adding more specifics to the rating. Most cars and light trucks have load index values ranging from 70-124.

You can use this chart to find your tire's load-bearing capacity.

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

Get New Tires in Central Florida

Need new tires? Mavis Tires & Brakes Tire has locations around you to help you get the tires you need for your vehicle. You'll find a convenient Mavis Tires & Brakes Tire location with friendly experts to help you choose the right tires for your budget, vehicle, and driving style. Contact your nearest location to schedule an appointment today!