| Tire Load Range | Description | Maximum Load Tire Pressure |
|---|---|---|
| B | 4-ply | 35 psi | 2.4 bar | 241 kPa |
| C | 6-ply | 50 psi | 3.4 bar | 345 kPa |
| D | 8-ply | 65 psi | 4.5 bar | 448 kPa |
| E | 10-ply | 80 psi | 5.5 bar | 552 kPa |
| F | 12-ply | 95 psi | 6.6 bar | 655 kPa |
| G | 14-ply | 110 psi | 7.6 bar | 758 kPa |
| LL | Light Load | 36 psi | 2.5 bar | 248 kPa |
| RF | Reinforced | 42 psi | 2.9 bar | 290 kPa |
| SL | Standard Load | 36 psi | 2.5 bar | 248 kPa |
| XL | Extra Load | 42 psi | 2.9 bar | 290 kPa |
Tire load range or tire ply rating helps identify the maximum load the tire can carry at its specified air pressure. In other words, it defines how much air the tire can hold and how much weight it can carry. Tire load range is used to separate tires with same size, but different strength due to internal construction. The stronger the tire construction, the more air pressure it can hold and more weight it can carry.
Tires with higher load ranges can carry heavier loads, and usually are more durable. Tire load range is branded on tire sidewall. For P-Metric passenger tire sizes, load range varies from Light Load (LL), Standard Load (SL) to Extra Load (XL). For European metric tire sizes, load range can be Standard Load (SL), Reinforced (RF) or Extra Load (XL). If no load range is indicated, it is a Standard Load (SL) by default. Light truck tire sizes and ST-metric special trailer service tire sizes use load ranges that ascend in alphabetical order with stronger tires identified by letters further along in the alphabet. Ply rating is a little outdated, and today the number of plies just represents its equivalent strength. When switching to different tire sizes on your vehicle, tire load index and tire load range helps define the proper tire inflation for new tires. Make sure that tire load index on new tires is equal to or greater than on the original equipment tires to ensure that your new tires have sufficient load capacity to carry your vehicle’s weight.