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Home > Tyres > Tyre Basics > Sizing

Light Truck/4x4 Tyre Sizing

Sizing for light truck tyres takes the performance requirements of the vehicle and the tyres into account. Light truck tyres have evolved along with the expanded applications of trucks and vans which have grown to be multi-purpose vehicles that we use for work, for play or as passenger vehicles. There are four different light truck tyre sizing systems: European Metric, Light Truck Metric, Light Truck High Flotation and Light Truck Numeric.

A. European Metric
185R14XCD
185 = Section width in millimetres
R = Radial construction
14 = Rim diameter in inches
XCD = Tread pattern
 

 

B. Light Truck Metric

This sizing system mirrors the European metric system for passenger tyres.

 
31X10.50R15LT
LT = Light truck designation
235 = Section width in millimeters
75 = Aspect ratio
R = Radial construction
15 = Rim diameter in inches
 

 

B. Light Truck High Floatation

Light truck high flotation tyres evolved in the mid 1970s as lower aspect ratio tyres became more popular on light trucks and vans. The combination of lower aspect ratios and high flotation yielded better traction on sand and soft soil found in off-road situations.
 
31X10.50R15LT
31 = Tyre overall diameter in inches
10.50 = Section width in inches
R = Radial construction
15 = Rim diameter in inches
LT = Light truck
 

 

C. Light Truck Numeric

This older system is still widely used, mostly on commercial vehicles.
 
7.50R16C
7.50 = Section width in inches
R = Radial construction
16 = Rim diameter in inches
C = Camionette (LT)
 
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