The number 107 stamped on the sidewall of a tire after the size code is the load index. It tells you the maximum weight that one tire can carry at its maximum cold inflation pressure. A load index of 107 corresponds to 2,149 pounds of carrying capacity per tire — about 974 kilograms. Four tires rated 107 together can safely support roughly 8,596 lbs, which is well above the gross vehicle weight rating of most half-ton trucks and mid-size SUVs.
How tire load index numbers actually work
Load index uses a standardized chart published by the Tire and Rim Association. Each numeric value maps to a specific weight rating in pounds and kilograms. The scale runs roughly from 0 (99 lbs) past 150 (7,385 lbs). It is not linear in the way you might expect — every step up represents a meaningful jump as you move into higher numbers.
For reference points around 107:
- Load index 105 = 2,039 lbs
- Load index 106 = 2,094 lbs
- Load index 107 = 2,149 lbs
- Load index 108 = 2,205 lbs
- Load index 109 = 2,271 lbs
- Load index 110 = 2,337 lbs
The chart is what every tire manufacturer references. Toyo, Bridgestone, Michelin, Continental — they all stamp the same 107 to mean exactly 2,149 lbs. There is no brand-specific interpretation.
What load index 107 looks like on the sidewall
You will usually see a service description like 275/55R20 117S or 265/65R18 114T. The load index is the number that comes right before the speed rating letter. So on a tire marked P265/70R17 107T, the 107 is the load index and the T is the speed rating (118 mph).
If a tire has dual ratings — for example 106/103R — the higher number applies when the tire is mounted on a single-wheel position, and the lower number applies when it is used in a dual-wheel application like the inner pair on a dually truck rear axle.
Vehicles that commonly run load index 107 tires
Load index 107 sits in the sweet spot for mid-size SUVs, crossovers, and lighter half-ton trucks. From the OEM tire fitments that come through Santa Ana Wheel acquisitions, 107-rated tires regularly ship from the factory on vehicles like:
- Toyota 4Runner (mid-trim) with 265/70R17 tires
- Honda Pilot with 245/60R18 fitments
- Ford Edge Sport with 265/40R21 tires
- Jeep Grand Cherokee with 265/60R18 originals
- Hyundai Santa Fe with 235/55R20 tires
- Subaru Ascent with 245/60R18 fitments
- Chevy Traverse with 255/55R20 originals
Higher-trim packages with optional towing or larger wheel sizes sometimes step up to 109 or 112. Smaller compact SUVs typically run 103 to 105.
Why load index matters when you replace wheels or tires
When you swap out OEM tires or move to aftermarket wheels with a different size, the load index of the new tire must equal or exceed the OEM-specified rating. The placard inside the driver door jamb lists the original load and speed ratings. Going below that number means your tires are not rated to carry the vehicle plus its expected payload at the factory inflation pressure.
This is a safety issue, not a paperwork issue. Underrated tires run hotter under load, flex more in the sidewall, and can fail catastrophically when fully loaded at highway speeds. Insurance adjusters and accident reconstructors check load ratings when investigating tire-related claims.
If you are buying replacement OEM wheels in a different size — for example moving from a 17-inch original to an 18-inch staggered fitment — match the new tire's load index to the placard, not just to the old tire.
Load index vs load range — they are not the same thing
This trips a lot of people up. Load range (the letter — SL, XL, C, D, E, F) refers to the tire's construction and the maximum inflation pressure it is rated to hold. Load index (the number — 107, 109, 112) refers to the actual weight capacity at that maximum pressure.
- SL (Standard Load) — max 35 psi for most passenger sizes
- XL (Extra Load) — max 41 psi, higher capacity at the same physical size
- C, D, E, F — light truck constructions, with E being the most common at 80 psi max
You can have two tires with the same size and the same 107 load index where one is XL and the other is LT-E. They reach 2,149 lbs through different pressure paths. The XL tire gets there at 41 psi; the LT-E tire gets there at a much higher pressure with stiffer sidewalls built for off-road or heavy use.
Can you go above 107? Should you?
Going higher on load index — say from 107 to 109 — is generally safe and sometimes preferable for towing or hauling. The tire will be slightly stiffer and may ride a touch firmer, but you gain a margin of safety.
The exception is on TPMS-equipped vehicles where the system is calibrated to a specific OEM tire pressure. A higher-rated XL tire will want more pressure to hit its full capacity, and running it at the OEM-recommended pressure means you are not actually using its full load potential. You still meet the placard rating either way, so it is more of an efficiency point than a safety one.
Going below 107 — when is it actually a problem?
Dropping to a 105 or 106 rated tire on a vehicle that originally called for 107 is almost always a bad move. The most common scenario where this happens is when shoppers chase price and pick a tire that fits the size but does not match the service description. The size code will match — 265/60R18, for example — but the 106S replacement is not the same as the OEM 107T.
What goes wrong:
- Tire dealers may refuse to install undersized-rated tires on vehicles with higher placards
- Inspections and registration renewals in states with mechanical inspections may flag the mismatch
- Warranty and insurance disputes after a blowout become much harder to navigate
- Towing or full-payload driving puts the tire above its rated capacity
If a 107-rated OEM size is hard to find or expensive, the right move is to look at a different brand or a load-range upgrade — not to drop the rating.
Quick lookup: load index 107 in the broader chart
| Load Index | Pounds (lbs) | Kilograms (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 1,764 | 800 |
| 103 | 1,929 | 875 |
| 105 | 2,039 | 925 |
| 106 | 2,094 | 950 |
| 107 | 2,149 | 974 |
| 108 | 2,205 | 1,000 |
| 110 | 2,337 | 1,060 |
| 112 | 2,469 | 1,120 |
| 115 | 2,679 | 1,215 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tire load index 107 enough for a half-ton pickup?
For most half-ton pickups configured for daily use without heavy hauling, yes. The Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Chevy Silverado 1500 typically run 110 to 121 from the factory in P-metric or LT sizes. If your placard calls for 107, that is what the vehicle was engineered to use at its rated GVWR.
Does load index 107 mean my tire can carry 2,149 lbs at any pressure?
No. 2,149 lbs is the capacity at the tire's maximum cold inflation pressure, which is printed on the sidewall. At lower pressures, the carrying capacity drops. Always inflate to the placard pressure (door jamb) for daily use, and check the load and inflation tables if you are loaded heavily.
Can I mix a 107-rated tire with a 109-rated tire on the same vehicle?
Avoid it. Tires should match in size, type, and ratings across an axle at minimum, and ideally across all four positions. Mixing load indices changes how the vehicle responds in emergency braking and cornering.
What is the difference between load index 107 and ply rating?
Ply rating is an older term. Modern passenger and light truck tires use load range letters (SL, XL, C–F) rather than literal ply counts. Load index 107 tells you the weight; the load range letter tells you the construction. Old "8-ply" or "10-ply" terminology roughly corresponds to load ranges D and E.
How do I find the load index on my tire?
It is the number between the wheel diameter and the speed rating letter on the sidewall. In 275/55R20 117S, the 117 is the load index. The full string after the size code is called the service description.
Selling OEM wheels off a vehicle that ran 107-rated tires
If you have factory wheels coming off a vehicle that ran load index 107 OEM tires — Toyota 4Runner, Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and similar models that come through our shop regularly — Santa Ana Wheel buys them. We have been in the OEM wheel business since 1958 and carry 47,000+ wheels in our Anaheim inventory.
To get an offer, text us at 949-478-2033 with your year, make, model, and your location. Photos of the wheels (face and back) help us quote faster but are not required to start the conversation. Vehicle popularity drives value the most — Camry, F-150, and Pilot wheels move faster and pay better than wheels from low-volume models, regardless of the tire rating that came mounted on them.
Payment is by check or Zelle once we confirm the condition. Pricing varies by brand, year, and condition, so we quote each set individually after seeing the photos and details.
