Tyre Speed Rating Chart — NZ Guide
The last letter in your tyre size (e.g. 205/55R16 91H) is your speed rating — it tells you the maximum speed your tyre can safely sustain. This is the quick-reference chart — for WOF rules, lab testing standards, and myth-busting see the full speed rating guide.
📍 Where to Find Your Speed Rating
It's on your tyre sidewall — the last letter after the load index number:
🏁 Speed Rating Chart
All standard road ratings from L to (Y). For detailed explanations of what each rating means in practice and how it affects handling, see the full speed rating guide.
📋 Reference Table
| Rating | Max Speed | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| L | 120 km/h | Off-road, some light trucks |
| M | 130 km/h | Temporary spare tyres |
| N | 140 km/h | Light commercial |
| P | 150 km/h | Light commercial vehicles |
| Q | 160 km/h | Winter tyres, some SUVs |
| R | 170 km/h | Light trucks, LT tyres |
| S | 180 km/h | Family sedans |
| T | 190 km/h | Family sedans, minivans |
| H ★ | 210 km/h | Sport sedans, SUVs — most common NZ |
| V | 240 km/h | Sports cars |
| ZR | 240+ km/h | Ultra-high-performance (legacy) |
| W | 270 km/h | High-performance |
| Y | 300 km/h | Exotic sports cars |
| (Y) | 300+ km/h | Specialist supercars |
🇳🇿 What NZ Vehicles Typically Need
| Vehicle Type | Rating | NZ Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Mud terrain / off-road 4WD | Q – R | Jimny, Wrangler, Patrol off-road builds |
| Utes & light trucks | R – S | Hilux, Ranger, Navara (LT tyres) |
| Family sedans & SUVs | H – V | Corolla, RAV4, CX-5, Outlander |
| Performance & sports | W – Y | WRX, Golf R, M3, Supra |
❓ What Does ZR Mean?
You'll see ZR in tyre sizes like 225/40ZR18 92Y. It's an older code meaning "rated above 240 km/h." On modern tyres, the specific letter at the end (W or Y) gives the exact maximum. If you see ZR with no letter after the load index, it means 240+ km/h without a defined upper limit.
Why H breaks the pattern: When ratings were first developed in the 1960s, only S, H, and V existed. As technology advanced the alphabet was filled in — but H was kept at its original 210 km/h position. That's why it comes after T in the chart, not where you'd expect alphabetically.
This Is the Quick-Reference Chart
Need to understand WOF rules in detail, what happens when you exceed your rating, how lab testing works, or whether speed ratings really matter at NZ speeds? The full guide covers it all.
