Reading Golf Cart Tires
Let's take an example golf cart tire size and break it down. In our example our golf cart will have a tire size of 18x8.50-8.
 | The first number in our golf cart tire size is 18. This number refers to the overall diameter of the tire or the tire height. In this example our tire will be roughly 18" inches tall. |
 | The second number in our golf cart tire size is 8.50. This number refers to the width of the tire. In this example our tire will be roughly 8.5" inches wide. This doesn't mean the tire mounts on a 8.5" wide wheel, normally the tire width will be wider then rim width. |
 | The third number in our golf cart tire size is 8. This number refers to the rim diameter or the size of the hole in the middle of the tire. In this example our tire will mount on a rim with a 8" diameter. |
Now that we have mastered the tire sizing, lets look at another piece of information which is on the side of your gofl cart tire. Ply rating or load range refers to the carrying capacity of the tire based on the number of plys of rubber that make up the tire. Generally speaking the higher the ply rating or load range the greater the number of plys that make up the tire and the more weight the tire can carry. Different tire manufacturers use different terms to relay the load range of the tire. Some simply use terms like 2 ply, 4 ply, 6 ply, etc. Some use load ranges or abbreviations like LRA, LRB, LRC, etc. Below is a conversion chart to help with determining the ply rating of your tire.
Load Range A, LRA, 2 Ply
Load Range B, LRB, 4 Ply
Load Range C, LRC, 6 Ply
Load Range D, LRD, 8 Ply
Load Range E, LRE, 10 Ply
Load Range F, LRF, 12 Ply
As ply ratings increase, we increase the carrying capacity of the tire.
I hope this helps make reading your golf cart tire size easier and helps you make better decisions on your golf cart tire purchases.