What Does 116T Mean on a Tire? Load and Speed Decoded

116T means the tire can carry 2,756 lb (1,250 kg) per tire at its rated pressure, and is rated for sustained speeds up to 118 mph (190 km/h). The number is the load index, the letter is the speed rating. Both are part of the tire’s service description.

Across four tires, 116 load index means a combined maximum load of 11,024 lb (5,000 kg).

Where it sits on the sidewall

A typical sidewall reads something like:

LT265/70R17 116T

That breaks down as:

LT: Light truck construction (P or no letter = passenger)
265: Section width in mm
70: Aspect ratio (sidewall height as percent of width)
R: Radial construction
17: Wheel diameter in inches
116: Load index
T: Speed rating

The 116T pair is the service description and it’s what most replacement-tire questions come down to.

Load index table

Each load index number corresponds to a specific maximum load in pounds and kilograms.

Load Index	Pounds	Kilograms
75	853	387
80	992	450
85	1,135	515
90	1,323	600
95	1,521	690
100	1,764	800
105	2,039	925
110	2,337	1,060
115	2,679	1,215
116	2,756	1,250
117	2,833	1,285
118	2,910	1,320
119	2,998	1,360
120	3,086	1,400
121	3,197	1,450
125	3,638	1,650

A passenger car typically uses load indexes 87 to 99. Light trucks and SUVs use 105 to 121. Heavy-duty trucks (Super Duty, 2500/3500) use 121+.

Speed rating table

The letter is keyed to a maximum sustained speed.

Speed Rating	Max mph	Max km/h	Common use
L	75	120	Trailer tires
M	81	130	Spare tires
N	87	140	Temporary spares
Q	99	160	Winter tires
R	106	170	Light truck, SUV
S	112	180	Family sedans
T	118	190	Light trucks, SUVs, sedans
U	124	200	Sedans
H	130	210	Sport sedans, performance SUVs
V	149	240	Performance cars
W	168	270	High-performance
Y	186	300	Exotic sports cars
Z	149+	240+	High-performance (legacy notation)

Z is an older designation that’s been replaced in most cases by specific W or Y. You’ll see “ZR” on some performance tires followed by a separate speed rating like 95Y in the service description.

What 116T tires fit

Light trucks, larger SUVs, full-size passenger vans, and three-quarter-ton truck duty cycles. Examples of vehicles often spec’d around 116T:

Ford F-150 (some trims, depends on tire size)
Chevy Silverado 1500 (some trims)
Ram 1500 (some configurations)
Toyota Tundra
GMC Yukon
Chevrolet Suburban
Various LT-rated light truck tires

The exact OEM spec is on the door jamb placard. Replace with at least the same load index. Going lower drops your vehicle’s effective load rating.

When to size up

If you load your truck heavily, tow regularly, or carry passengers and gear together, consider stepping up the load index by one or two:

116 to 118: 154 lb more capacity per tire
116 to 121: 441 lb more capacity per tire

A 121-load tire on the same truck adds 1,764 lb of combined capacity. The trade-off is usually a stiffer ride.

When the speed rating matters

T (118 mph) is plenty for highway driving and even spirited driving on a truck or SUV. Going from T to H increases the rating to 130 mph, which costs slightly more and gives slightly better cornering grip.

The rule when replacing tires: match or exceed the OEM speed rating. Going below it (T tire on a vehicle that came with H tires) reduces handling capability and can void the manufacturer’s vehicle warranty in some cases.

Reading the rest of the sidewall

While you’re checking the load and speed rating, look for:

DOT date code: four digits, week and year. “2425” means the 24th week of 2025. Avoid tires more than 2 years old.
UTQG: treadwear / traction / temperature. Treadwear 500+ is good. Traction AA or A. Temperature A.
Max load (lbs) and max pressure (psi): the absolute limits. Your vehicle’s recommended pressure is on the door placard, not the tire sidewall.
Construction details: number of plies in tread and sidewall, internal materials.

Quick translation

116T = 2,756 lb per tire, 118 mph maximum sustained speed. Common on full-size SUVs and light trucks. Replacement tires should be 116 or higher and T or higher speed rating.