Key takeaways
- The EU tyre label rates three things: fuel economy, wet grip and external noise, so you can compare tyres on the same scale.
- Fuel and wet grip are letter grades with A the best; Great Britain uses the older A to G label, the EU the newer A to E version.
- Wet grip is the safety grade to prioritise, as it reflects how quickly a tyre stops on a wet road.
- Noise is shown in decibels, and a lower number means a quieter tyre.
- The label is one tool, not the whole story, so read independent tests too before you buy.
Every new car tyre sold in the UK comes with a standard label, and it packs a lot into a small space. It scores the tyre on fuel economy, wet braking and how much noise it makes, all on a clear scale you can compare across brands. Learn to read it and you can weigh up grip, running cost and refinement before you spend a penny. Here is what each part means.
What is the EU tyre label?
The EU tyre label is a standardised rating that appears on new tyres, scoring three things: fuel economy, wet grip and external rolling noise. It lets you compare tyres on the same yardstick rather than trusting marketing claims.
There are now two versions. Great Britain kept the original label from the 2009 regulation when it left the EU, and that is still the legal label in England, Scotland and Wales. The EU replaced it with an updated design in May 2021, and that newer label is the one that applies in Northern Ireland. Both put A at the top, so the way you use them is the same.
The label looks a little like the energy label on a fridge or washing machine. Two of the ratings use letter grades, and the third shows a noise figure in decibels. Together they give a quick, honest snapshot of how a tyre performs on the measures that matter most to everyday drivers.
What does the fuel economy grade mean?
The fuel economy grade rates a tyre's rolling resistance, graded by letter with A the most efficient. The older GB label runs to G, while the updated EU label stops at E. Lower rolling resistance means the engine works less to keep the car moving, so you burn less fuel or use less battery range. The difference between the top and bottom grades adds up noticeably over thousands of miles.
Rolling resistance is the energy a tyre loses as it flexes and grips the road. An efficient tyre wastes less of it, which is why an A-rated set can trim your fuel bills over a year. The Energy Saving Trust highlights tyre choice and pressure as simple ways to cut fuel use. On an electric car the same grade affects real-world range.
Why is the wet grip grade the one to watch?
The wet grip grade is the safety rating, and arguably the most important figure on the label. Also graded with A the best, it reflects how quickly the tyre stops on a wet road. The gap between grades is measured in real braking distance, so a better grade can mean stopping several car lengths sooner in the rain.
On a wet UK road that distance can be the difference between stopping in time and not. Because we get so much rain, wet grip deserves priority over a slightly better fuel grade for most drivers. If you do a lot of motorway or winter mileage, paying for an A or B wet-grip tyre is money well spent.
How does the noise rating work?
The noise rating shows the tyre's external rolling noise in decibels (dB). The older GB label adds a symbol with one to three sound waves, and the updated EU label adds a class from A to C. It measures the noise the tyre makes for people outside the car, not the noise inside the cabin, though the two are often related. A lower decibel figure means a quieter tyre.
The decibel scale is logarithmic, so a small number change is a bigger real difference than it looks. For drivers who cover long motorway distances, a quieter tyre makes journeys more relaxing. It is usually the lowest priority of the three ratings, but worth a glance if refinement matters to you or you are sensitive to road roar.
| Label section | What it measures | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | Rolling resistance and fuel or range use | A (best) to G on the GB label, A to E on the EU label |
| Wet grip | Braking distance on a wet road | A (best) to G on the GB label, A to E on the EU label |
| External noise | Rolling noise heard outside the car | Decibels (dB), lower is quieter |
Are there extra symbols on newer labels?
Yes. The updated EU label can carry extra pictograms for snow and ice performance. A snowflake symbol (3PMSF) shows the tyre meets a set standard for severe snow, useful for winter and all-season tyres. A separate ice grip symbol marks tyres designed for icy roads, more relevant in colder countries than most of the UK.
The EU version also includes a QR code that links to the official product database, where you can confirm a tyre's full details. These additions help you tell a genuine winter or all-season tyre from one that only carries a basic M+S marking, which is not held to the same test. For UK drivers the snowflake is the one worth looking for.
How should you use the label when buying?
Use the label to shortlist, then read independent tests before deciding. The label is reliable for fuel, wet braking and noise, but it does not cover dry handling, grip in the wet beyond straight-line braking, tread life or how the tyre behaves at the limit. Two tyres with identical labels can feel very different on the road.
For most UK drivers, prioritise wet grip first, then fuel economy, then noise. Match the rating sensibly to your car and mileage rather than always chasing straight As. To get the most from any tyre, keep it at the right pressure: see our guides on checking your tyre pressure and decoding the numbers on your tyre. When you are ready, Fast Tyre can supply and fit labelled tyres at your home or roadside through our mobile tyre fitting service across London and central England.
Frequently asked questions
The label shows two letter grades, one for fuel economy and one for wet grip, each with A the best. The GB label runs from A to G and the updated EU label from A to E. A separate figure gives external noise in decibels. The letters let you compare tyres on running cost and wet braking on the same scale.
Wet grip is the rating to prioritise for safety, because it reflects how quickly a tyre stops on a wet road. On rainy UK roads the difference between grades can be several car lengths of braking distance, so it matters more than a small fuel saving.
Yes, over time. The fuel grade rates rolling resistance, and a more efficient tyre means the engine uses less fuel or the battery covers more range. The saving is modest per mile but adds up over thousands of miles, especially for high-mileage drivers.
It shows the tyre's external rolling noise in decibels. It measures noise heard outside the car, not inside the cabin. A lower decibel number means a quieter tyre, which makes long motorway journeys more relaxing.
A label still applies, but Great Britain kept the original 2009 version when it left the EU, graded A to G for fuel and wet grip. Northern Ireland follows the updated EU label introduced in 2021, graded A to E, which can also show snow and ice symbols and a QR code.
No. It covers fuel economy, wet braking and noise reliably, but not dry handling, cornering grip, tread life or behaviour at the limit. Two tyres with the same label can feel very different, so read independent tyre tests as well before buying.