Truck Tire Load Range Chart: What the Ratings Mean and How to Read Them
Truck tires carry a letter or number on the sidewall that tells you how much weight and pressure they're built to handle. That marking is the load range, and it's one of the most practical specs on any truck tire — especially for drivers hauling payloads, towing trailers, or running a work truck at or near its limits.
What Is a Tire Load Range?
Load range is a rating system that indicates how much air pressure a tire is designed to hold and, by extension, how much weight it can carry. Higher load ranges mean stronger internal construction — more plies, stiffer sidewalls, and higher maximum inflation pressure.
The rating is typically expressed as a letter (C, D, E, F, G, etc.) stamped on the sidewall. Older tires used a ply rating number, but the letter system replaced it. The letter doesn't tell you literally how many layers of material are inside — it describes the equivalent load capacity as if that many plies were used.
Truck Tire Load Range Chart
| Load Range | Ply Rating Equivalent | Max Load Pressure (PSI) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 4-ply | 35 psi | Light-duty, passenger vehicles |
| C | 6-ply | 50 psi | Light trucks, cargo vans |
| D | 8-ply | 65 psi | Light-to-medium duty trucks |
| E | 10-ply | 80 psi | Half-ton and three-quarter-ton pickups |
| F | 12-ply | 95 psi | Heavy-duty pickups, one-ton trucks |
| G | 14-ply | 110 psi | Commercial light trucks, work vehicles |
| H | 16-ply | 125 psi | Heavy commercial applications |
These are general reference values. Maximum load pressure is molded on the tire sidewall and is the authoritative figure for that specific tire.
What the Load Range Actually Affects
The load range determines the maximum load capacity per tire at a specified inflation pressure. A Load Range E tire inflated to its max pressure carries more weight than the same size tire in Load Range C.
Three things change as load range increases:
- Maximum PSI — the tire can safely hold more air
- Load capacity — it can bear more weight
- Sidewall stiffness — the ride typically becomes firmer
This is why many half-ton truck owners run Load Range E tires even when they don't haul heavy loads regularly — the stiffer sidewall reduces trailer sway and improves stability under load.
LT vs. P-Metric Tires: Why It Matters for Load Range
LT-metric tires (marked "LT" before the size, like LT265/70R17) are designed for trucks and are rated in load ranges.
P-metric tires (marked "P" before the size, like P265/70R17) are passenger-car tires that may fit trucks but carry lower load ratings. If you replace LT tires with P-metric tires of the same size, you may be significantly reducing your truck's actual load-carrying capacity, even if the tires physically fit.
Some tires are marked "C1" or "C2" — this indicates a dual-rating system where the same tire has different load capacities depending on whether it's used as a single or a dual (two tires side-by-side on the same axle).
🔢 How to Read the Load Index Alongside Load Range
The load index is a separate number on the sidewall — it's a code that maps to a specific weight capacity in pounds. For example, a load index of 121 means the tire supports up to 3,197 lbs at maximum inflation.
On a truck axle with dual rear wheels, you multiply by 4 (two axles × two tires). On a single rear wheel setup, you multiply by 2 on the rear axle and 2 on the front.
Your GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) — found on the door jamb sticker — tells you the maximum total weight your truck is rated to handle, including the truck itself, passengers, cargo, and tongue weight from a trailer.
Variables That Determine the Right Load Range for Your Situation
Load range isn't a "higher is better" situation across the board. The right load range depends on several factors:
- Your truck's GVWR and GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) — found on the door jamb or owner's manual
- How much you haul or tow — daily drivers with no payload needs have different requirements than work trucks
- Single rear wheel vs. dual rear wheel — dually setups have their own load calculations
- OEM tire recommendation — the placard on your door jamb lists the manufacturer's specified tire size and load range
- Terrain and driving conditions — off-road use, commercial routes, or highway miles each stress tires differently
- Ride quality preferences — higher load range tires ride stiffer on empty trucks
The Spectrum of Outcomes
A weekend driver with a half-ton truck who never carries more than a few hundred pounds in the bed may run Load Range C or D tires comfortably. A contractor running a one-ton flatbed near its GVWR most days needs Load Range F or G tires — and may be required by commercial regulations or fleet policy to stay within specific ratings.
🚛 Fleet operators and commercial vehicle drivers may also face state weight regulations that interact with tire ratings. Overloading tires relative to their rated capacity isn't just a safety issue — in some jurisdictions, it can mean fines or failed inspections.
The gap between what's physically on your truck and what your specific driving patterns, GVWR, and load habits actually require is where tire selection gets personal.
