Quick Answer
- The dB figure on an EU tire label is outside pass-by noise, and the class (A, B, C) says how far it sits below the legal limit for that tire width.
- For 186 to 245 mm wide tires the limit is 71 dB: class A is 68 dB or less, B is 69 to 71 dB and C is 72 dB or more. Snow, extra load and reinforced tires get 1 dB more.
- The US label program covers fuel efficiency, safety and durability, not noise, so there is no noise rating on US tires to compare.
Tire Noise Rating Chart by Tire Width
EU label noise classes for car (C1) tires in dB(A). Limit values are from Regulation (EC) No 661/2009; class A is at most the limit minus 3 dB, B is up to the limit and C is above it.
| Tire width | Limit | Class A | Class B | Class C | Snow, XL or reinforced limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 185 mm or narrower | 70 dB | 67 or less dB | 68 to 70 dB | 71 or more dB | 71 dB |
| 186 to 215 mm | 71 dB | 68 or less dB | 69 to 71 dB | 72 or more dB | 72 dB |
| 216 to 245 mm | 71 dB | 68 or less dB | 69 to 71 dB | 72 or more dB | 72 dB |
| 246 to 275 mm | 72 dB | 69 or less dB | 70 to 72 dB | 73 or more dB | 73 dB |
| Wider than 275 mm | 74 dB | 71 or less dB | 72 to 74 dB | 75 or more dB | 75 dB |
Find the width in your size, the 205 in 205/55R16, with the tire size guide.
What a Few Decibels Mean
Decibels are logarithmic, so small differences are bigger than they look. Ratios are calculated as 10 to the power of dB divided by 10.
| Difference | Sound energy ratio |
|---|---|
| 1 dB | 1.3 times |
| 3 dB | 2.0 times |
| 4 dB | 2.5 times |
| 6 dB | 4.0 times |
| 10 dB | 10.0 times |
| Tire width | Label value | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 205 mm | 68 dB | A |
| 205 mm | 70 dB | B |
| 205 mm | 72 dB | C |
| 225 mm | 69 dB | B |
| 255 mm | 72 dB | B |
| 285 mm | 73 dB | B |
Examples are for summer car tires without the 1 dB allowance, calculated from the chart above.
What the Regulations and Tire Makers Say About Tire Noise
| Source | Statement (paraphrased) |
|---|---|
| Regulation (EU) 2020/740, Annex I Part C | The external rolling noise value (N, in dB(A)) is measured to Annex 3 of UNECE Regulation No 117 and shown on the label with a class A to C based on the limit values in Regulation (EC) No 661/2009. |
| Regulation (EC) No 661/2009, Annex II Part C | Sets the rolling noise limit for car tires by section width: 70 dB for 185 mm or less, 71 dB up to 245 mm, 72 dB up to 275 mm and 74 dB above, plus 1 dB for snow, extra load or reinforced tires. |
| 49 CFR 575.106 (US) | The tire fuel efficiency consumer information program is about the relative performance of replacement passenger car tires in fuel efficiency, safety and durability. Noise is not one of the three. |
| Continental, rolling noise press release (Jan 2026) | Rolling noise depends on tire type, tread design, road surface and driving behaviour. Tire noise is mostly audible from about 30 to 50 km/h up to 80 to 100 km/h, with engine noise masking it at lower speeds and wind noise dominating higher up. |
| Continental, rolling noise press release (Jan 2026) | Evenly spaced tread blocks hit the road at regular intervals and produce a hum, so Continental varies block spacing and angles to break up the rhythm. ContiSilent polyurethane foam inside the tire reduces cabin noise from air vibration inside the tire by up to 9 dB. |
Comparing Tires for Noise
- Compare the label dB value only between tires of the same width, because the limit changes with width.
- Remember the label is noise outside the car. Cabin noise also depends on the vehicle, the road surface and the air inside the tire.
- Treat wet grip and the speed and load rating as the first filters. Check them in the speed rating calculator and the load index calculator.
- Keep tires evenly worn: see the tire rotation guide and the wheel alignment guide. For comfort, see the ride comfort guide.