Two tires can wear the same 255/60R19 109H stamp and still differ in weight, tread depth, and maximum pressure — so size alone never decides whether a swap is safe.
Every 255/60R19 follows one standard: 255 mm across the widest tread section, sidewall height at 60 percent of that width, radial construction, and a 19-inch wheel. Most fit mid-size SUVs and light trucks, standing about 31 inches tall.
What Does 255/60R19 Mean?
The sidewall carries four size figures plus an optional service code: 255 is section width, 60 the aspect ratio, R radial construction, 19 the rim diameter, and 109H the load index and speed rating.
The 255 figure is nominal — the widest cross-section in millimeters, about 10.2 inches. The 60 aspect ratio makes sidewall height 60 percent of that width, roughly 153 mm or 6 inches. Together they set total height on a 19-inch rim.
| Sidewall Code | What It Sets | Typical Value |
|---|---|---|
| 255 | Nominal section width | 10.2 in |
| 60 | Aspect ratio (sidewall height) | About 6.0 in |
| R | Radial construction | Standard passenger build |
| 19 | Rim diameter | 19 in |
| 109 | Load index | 2,271 lb per tire |
| H | Speed rating | 130 mph |
Load index 109 equals 2,271 lb maximum single-tire load, and H is listed as a 130 mph ceiling. Pirelli’s 255/60R19 size page confirms this: 109 as load index, H as speed rating. The R is worth confirming — it stands for radial, and a different letter means a different build.
Dimensions And Load Rating: What The Specs Show
Expect about 31.0 to 31.1 inches tall, roughly 10.2 inches section width, rims from 7.0 to 9.0 inches wide, and 2,271 lb per tire in 109H Standard Load form.
Overall diameter drives speedometer accuracy, odometer readings, and wheel-well clearance. Section width decides fender fit and suspension clearance at full steering lock.
Inflate to the vehicle placard, not the sidewall. That 51 psi is the tire’s maximum — running there wears the tread center and shrinks the contact patch. Most 255/60R19 109H tires are Standard Load (SL), suiting crossovers and SUVs, while a heavier truck may need a higher load range in the same nominal size.
Will 255/60R19 Fit Your Vehicle?
Only when the manufacturer lists it as an approved size. The same 255/60R19 can fit one trim and not another in the same model year, so the door placard or owner’s manual is final.
The placard — usually in the driver’s door jamb — lists approved front and rear sizes, recommended cold inflation pressure, and axle weight ratings. Photograph it before shopping.
- Match the load index or beat it. If the placard calls for 109, anything lower drops capacity below requirement.
- Stay inside the rim width range. 7.0 to 9.0 inches is the common window.
- Expect brand-to-brand variation. Mounted width and diameter shift slightly; a tight wheel well may clear one tire and rub another.
Two 255/60R19 109H tires aren’t interchangeable on paper either: tread depth, UTQG ratings, maximum inflation, weight, and sidewall construction change by model. Matching size and service code starts the check, not ends it.
Once your placard confirms the size, the deciding factors are treadwear, wet grip, and price. A tested roundup of the best 255/60R19 tires lines those numbers up side by side.
FAQs
What Does Load Index 109 Actually Support?
Load index 109 rates one tire for up to 2,271 lb at maximum inflation, per current listings. Across four tires that’s roughly 9,084 lb. Real-world limits are lower — axle ratings and recommended pressure govern what you can carry.
Can I Swap In A Different Load Index?
Only a higher one. If your placard specifies 109, stepping up to 111 or 113 adds capacity, while anything lower drops below the manufacturer’s requirement. Keep the speed rating at H or above unless the placard says otherwise.
Does Speed Rating H Mean The Tire Handles 130 mph?
It means the tire is tested to hold together at sustained speeds up to 130 mph under load — not that you should drive that fast, and not a legal limit. A higher rating also generally signals stiffer construction and better heat resistance than a lower-rated tire in the same size.
References & Sources
- Pirelli. “255/60 R19 109H” Confirms the size coding, load index 109, and speed rating H.
- Goodyear Assurance MaxLife 2 (255/60R19 109H). “Assurance MaxLife 2 — 255/60R19” Lists the 31.0-inch diameter, 10.2-inch width, 2,271 lb load, and 51 psi maximum.
- Cooper Evolution HT (255/60R19 109H). “Evolution HT — 255/60R19” Lists matching dimensions and load figures for the same size.