Speed index
At a glance
Speed index = last letter of the service description on the tire sidewall. Example: the H in 205/55 R16 91H means 210 km/h maximum speed.
Common values for passenger cars: T = 190, H = 210, V = 240, W = 270, Y = 300 km/h.
The fitted tire must have at least the prescribed speed index by the vehicle manufacturer (VTS Art. 58 Para. 1).
Complete table by vehicle category
Click a category to filter, or enter a code:
| Code | km/h | Vehicle Category | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | 5 km/h | Industry | Industrial vehicles, forklifts |
| A2 | 10 km/h | Industry | Industrial vehicles, forklifts |
| A3 | 15 km/h | Industry | Industrial vehicles, construction equipment |
| A4 | 20 km/h | Industry | Industrial vehicles, construction equipment |
| A5 | 25 km/h | Industry | Tractors, construction equipment |
| A6 | 30 km/h | Industry | Tractors, construction equipment |
| A7 | 35 km/h | Industry | Tractors, construction equipment |
| A8 | 40 km/h | Industry | Tractors |
| B | 50 km/h | Trailer / Truck | Trailers, slow vehicles |
| C | 60 km/h | Trailer / Truck | Trailers, industrial trucks |
| D | 65 km/h | Trailer / Truck | Trailers, special vehicles |
| E | 70 km/h | Trailer / Truck | Trailers, special vehicles |
| F | 80 km/h | Trailer / Truck | Trailers, trucks |
| G | 90 km/h | Trailer / Truck | Trucks, trailers |
| J | 100 km/h | Trailer / Truck | Motorhomes, vans |
| K | 110 km/h | Trailer / Truck | Motorhomes, vans |
| L | 120 km/h | Trailer / Truck | Vans, trailers |
| M | 130 km/h | Winter tires Passenger car | Winter tire minimum |
| N | 140 km/h | Winter tires Passenger car | Winter tires standard |
| P | 150 km/h | Winter tires Passenger car | Fast winter tires |
| Q | 160 km/h | Winter tires Passenger car | Spike and heavy winter tires |
| R | 170 km/h | Passenger car Standard | Compact cars, campers |
| S | 180 km/h | Passenger car Standard | Compact/mid-range |
| T | 190 km/h | Passenger car Standard | Station wagon, SUV-Eco |
| U | 200 km/h | Passenger car Standard | Mid-range |
| H | 210 km/h | Passenger car Sport | Mid-range and luxury cars |
| V | 240 km/h | Passenger car Sport | Sports cars, luxury cars |
| W | 270 km/h | Sports car | Sports car high-end |
| Y | 300 km/h | Sports car | Super sports cars |
| ZR | >240 km/h | Sports car | In the tire size itself (e.g., 225/45 ZR17). The exact maximum speed is determined by the additional speed index after the load index. |
| (Y) | >300 km/h | Sports Car | Signified with parentheses: approved for over 300 km/h. Typical for supercar tires. |
Note: Speed index, Geschwindigkeitsindex (German for speed index), and speed symbol all refer to the same letter code on the tire sidewall — a speed index H corresponds to 210 km/h, a speed index V to 240 km/h.
How to read the tire sidewall
A designation 205/55 R16 91H means:
- 205 — tire width in mm
- 55 — aspect ratio (height-to-width)
- R — radial construction
- 16 — rim diameter in inches
- 91 — load index (= 615 kg per tire)
- H — speed index (= 210 km/h)
The combination 91H is called the Service Description.
Where can I find the required speed index?
- Vehicle registration document (Switzerland): Code 22 "Tires" with tire size including Service Description
- Tire pressure sticker on the driver's door pillar or in the fuel filler cap
- Owner's manual — Chapter "Tires and Rims"
- Tire sidewall itself — after the tire size, e.g., "91H"
- Rim certificate — for tuning or interchangeable sets, the permissible index is documented there
Special case winter tires (Switzerland)
For winter tires, according to VTS Art. 58 Para. 4, a lower index than specified in the vehicle registration document is permitted — under the following conditions:
- The index is at least Q (160 km/h)
- A warning sticker in the driver's field of vision shows the permissible maximum speed
- This maximum speed is not exceeded during operation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between speed index and Geschwindigkeitsindex?
None. Speed index is the internationally common term, Geschwindigkeitsindex is the official German term. Both refer to the same letter code on the tire sidewall (e.g., H, V, W, Y).
What does H mean for tires?
H = 210 km/h. The most common speed index in mid-range cars.
What does V mean for tires?
V = 240 km/h. Typical for sports sedans.
What does W mean for tires?
W = 270 km/h. Sports cars, high-performance sedans.
What does Y mean for tires?
Y = 300 km/h. With parentheses (Y) also over 300 km/h.
What is the difference between T and H?
T = 190, H = 210 km/h. T-rated tires are often cheaper and suitable for station wagons and SUV-Eco; H is standard for most mid-range cars.
Can I mount tires with a lower index?
In summer operation: no. In winter: yes, with a sticker in the driver's field of vision and a minimum index of Q (160 km/h) according to VTS Art. 58 Para. 4.
What does ZR on a tire mean?
ZR is part of the tire size (e.g., 225/45 ZR17) and indicates tires for over 240 km/h. The exact maximum speed is determined by the additional index after the load index.
Where can I find the required index?
Open section on this page: Vehicle registration document Code 22, tire pressure sticker on the door pillar or in the fuel filler cap, owner's manual, tire sidewall.
Related terms
Sources: ETRTO Standards Manual; ECE Regulation No. 30 (Tires for passenger cars); Ordinance on the Technical Requirements for Road Vehicles (VTS) Art. 58 (Switzerland); Road Traffic Act (SVG). Values without guarantee — the information in the vehicle registration document is always binding.
Further assistance
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