Tire Size Guide: What Those Numbers on Your Tires Really Mean

Ever looked at the side of your tire and wondered what P200/50R20 is supposed to mean? You’re not alone. It looks complicated at first, but once you know how to read it, it’s actually super simple—and really helpful when you’re buying new tires or dealing with a flat.

Here’s the breakdown in everyday language, no engineering degree required.

Where to find it: Check the sidewall of any tire. You’ll see a mix of letters and numbers. You can also find your recommended tire size on the sticker inside your driver-side door.

The tire size for this tire is 245/60R18

What it means:

• The first letter tells you what type of vehicle the tire is for.

• The first number is the tire’s width.

• The second number is how tall the sidewall is.

• “R” means radial tire.

• The last number is the wheel size.

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Choosing the right size helps your car handle better, stay fuel-efficient, and avoid weird wear patterns.

Once you understand the basics, reading tire numbers becomes easy—and you’ll feel way more confident when it's time to buy new tires.