EU tyre label explained: rolling resistance, wet grip and noise

Every new car tyre sold in the EU has a label, like a fridge or a washing machine. At a glance it shows how economical the tyre is, how well it brakes on a wet road and how much noise it makes. This article explains what each class means, which measured values sit behind it and what the label does not tell you. That way you choose a tyre on more than the price alone.

By the team at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug, RDW-approved APK (MOT) test station since 1979 · Updated 7 November 2026

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The short answer

The EU tyre label (Regulation (EU) 2020/740, compulsory since 1 May 2021) shows three things: fuel efficiency in classes A to E (A is the lowest rolling resistance), wet grip in classes A to E (A is the shortest braking distance) and external rolling noise in decibels with class A, B or C. The label can also carry a snow symbol (3PMSF) and an ice symbol, and a QR code to the European product database EPREL. The label says nothing about tyre life, dry grip or handling. For those you look at independent tyre tests.

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What is on the EU tyre label?

The EU tyre label has been compulsory in its current form since 1 May 2021, under Regulation (EU) 2020/740. It applies to tyres for cars (class C1), vans (C2) and lorries and buses (C3). It replaces the older label from 2012, which still had classes down to G. The label hangs on the tyre in the shop and is shown next to every tyre in a webshop. This is what is on it:

Element What it shows Scale
Fuel efficiency The rolling resistance of the tyre, so how much energy it takes to keep it rolling A (best) to E
Wet grip How well the tyre brakes on a wet road A (best) to E
External rolling noise The noise the tyre makes outside the car, measured at the roadside Value in dB plus class A, B or C
Snow symbol (3PMSF) The tyre has passed the snow test of UNECE regulation 117 Present or not
Ice symbol The tyre performs well on ice, car tyres (C1) only Present or not
QR code Link to the product sheet in the European database EPREL Scan with your phone
Brand, type and size Name of the supplier, tyre type, size, load index and speed rating Text

Elements of the EU tyre label according to Regulation (EU) 2020/740, Pirelli and Continental, consulted 6 November 2026.

The classes are not marks the manufacturer gives itself. Each class corresponds to a measured value from a prescribed test. Below you can read, element by element, which value sits behind it.

What does the fuel efficiency class (rolling resistance) mean?

The fuel efficiency class shows the rolling resistance of the tyre: how much force it takes to keep the tyre rolling. A tyre in class A has the lowest rolling resistance and uses the least fuel or electricity. According to Continental, tyres account for 20 to 30% of a car’s fuel consumption. So the difference between tyres is noticeable in your wallet, and in an electric car in the range.

Class Rolling resistance coefficient (RRC) in N/kN, car tyres C1
A 6.5 or lower
B 6.6 to 7.7
C 7.8 to 9.0
D 9.1 to 10.5
E 10.6 or higher

Class limits from Annex I, part A of Regulation (EU) 2020/740. The coefficient gives the rolling resistance in newtons per kilonewton of wheel load.

What that means in practice is measured by the ANWB, the Dutch motoring organisation, in its tyre tests. In the all-season tyre test of June 2026, the difference in consumption between one tyre and another ran up to 0.3 or 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres, around 5 to 7% of consumption. Classes A to C have stayed the same. The old class E is now called D, and the old classes F and G fall under E, as the ANWB explains.

What does the wet grip class mean?

The wet grip class tells you how well the tyre brakes on a wet road compared with a reference tyre. Class A stands for the highest wet grip and so the shortest braking distance. This is the safety class of the label: the braking distance on a wet road was chosen as the measure of safety, because that is where the differences between tyres are largest.

Class Wet grip index (G), car tyres C1
A 1.55 or higher
B 1.40 to 1.54
C 1.25 to 1.39
D 1.10 to 1.24
E 1.09 or lower

Class limits from Annex I, part B of Regulation (EU) 2020/740. The index compares the braking performance with a standard reference tyre.

The label does not give a braking distance in metres, and neither do we, because it depends on speed, car and road surface. That the differences can be large is shown by the ANWB winter tyre test of September 2025: on a wet road the braking distance of the worst tyre ran up to 47.1 metres, against 31.7 metres for a good tyre. That is more than 15 metres, more than three car lengths.

What do the noise value in dB and the class A, B or C mean?

The label shows the rolling noise of the tyre in decibels, for example 70 dB, with class A, B or C next to it. This is the noise the tyre makes outside the car, measured at the roadside as the car drives past. The class compares the measured value with the European limit value for that tyre size and tyre type.

Class Meaning
A At least 3 dB below the European limit value (quiet)
B Between 3 dB below the limit value and the limit value itself
C Above the limit value (loud)

Noise classes from Annex I, part C of Regulation (EU) 2020/740. A difference of 3 dB corresponds to a halving of the sound power.

Note that the label only says something about the noise outside the car. The ANWB points out that the noise inside the car can be different. A tyre with a low dB value can still drone in the cabin, depending on the car and the road surface. If you hear a humming or thumping noise after new tyres, read tyre noise: causes of humming, thumping and droning.

What do the snow symbol, the ice symbol and the QR code mean?

The snow symbol is a mountain with three peaks and a snowflake, abbreviated 3PMSF (three peak mountain snowflake). A tyre only gets it if it has passed the snow test of UNECE regulation 117. It appears on winter tyres and on all-season tyres that have been tested in snow. The M+S marking on the sidewall is something else: that is a claim by the manufacturer without a compulsory test. In Germany, since 1 October 2024 only a tyre with the snow symbol counts as a winter tyre. Which rules apply in which country is explained in winter tyre rules in the Netherlands and abroad.

The ice symbol only appears on car tyres (C1) that perform particularly well on ice. According to Pirelli, these tyres are intended for ice and packed snow in severe winters, and they can perform less well on a wet road and at higher temperatures. In the Netherlands you will rarely need a tyre like that. You mainly see the symbol on winter tyres for Scandinavia.

The QR code on the label leads to the European product database EPREL. There you find the product sheet of the tyre with the supplier, the trade name, the size, the load index, the speed rating, the three label classes, the snow and ice symbols and the period in which the tyre was produced. If you scan the QR code on a tyre in the shop, you can see whether the label belongs to that tyre.

What does the tyre label not tell you?

The label says nothing about tyre life, grip on a dry road, handling in bends, aquaplaning, comfort or the noise inside the car. Two tyres with the same classes can be far apart in a tyre test. That is why the ANWB advises consulting tyre tests as well as the label. This is what you miss if you choose on the label alone:

  • Tyre life: in the ANWB winter tyre test of September 2025, a cheap tyre lasted 34,000 kilometres and a premium tyre up to 75,000 kilometres. You do not see that difference on the label.
  • Braking on a dry road: the label only tests wet. A tyre can score a B on a wet road and perform poorly on a dry one.
  • Aquaplaning and bends: the handling in deep water and when swerving is not part of the label.
  • Performance in snow: the snow symbol says the tyre has passed a minimum test, not how good it is in snow.
  • Wear and ageing: how the tyre behaves after 20,000 kilometres or after five years is not measured by the label.
  • Cost per kilometre: in June 2026 the ANWB found that one of the most expensive tyres in the test came out with the lowest cost per kilometre. Cheap to buy is not the same as cheap to run.
A tyre with class A for rolling resistance and class A for wet grip exists, but it is rare and often a premium tyre. Low rolling resistance and high wet grip are conflicting demands on the rubber. Treat a combination such as B and A or A and B from a well-known brand as a strong result.

How do we use the label in our advice?

We use the label as a first filter and the ANWB tyre tests as a second. If you call us with your registration number (in Dutch: kenteken), we look up the approved sizes and suggest three tyres per size: a budget tyre, a mid-range tyre and a premium tyre. For all three we tell you the label classes for rolling resistance and wet grip and the noise value. For wet grip we advise against class D or E. Then we look at how you use the car: a lot of motorway, a lot of city driving, a heavy electric car, a motorhome or a van up to 3,500 kg. That way you know what the price difference is for and you choose for yourself.

We tell you the price of the tyres in advance, including fitting, balancing and disposal of the old tyres. Why prices differ per size and class and what is included is explained in what does tyre replacement cost including fitting. Everything about our tyre service is on tyre replacement in Rotterdam. If you mainly want to know what a fuel-efficient tyre saves in consumption or range, read fuel-efficient tyres: what they save in consumption and range.

Frequently asked questions

Is a tyre with class A for everything the best tyre?

No. The label only measures rolling resistance, wet grip and external noise. Tyre life, dry grip, aquaplaning and handling are not on it. A tyre with good label classes can still disappoint in an independent test. Combine the label with a tyre test by the ANWB or a similar organisation.

Is the EU tyre label compulsory?

Yes. Since 1 May 2021, under Regulation (EU) 2020/740, every new tyre for cars, vans, lorries and buses sold in the EU must have a label. You see the label next to the tyre in the shop and next to every tyre in a webshop.

How many metres of braking distance separate class A from class E?

That is not on the label and depends on speed, car and road surface. The ANWB measures it in tyre tests. In the winter tyre test of September 2025, the braking distance on a wet road ranged from 31.7 metres for a good tyre to 47.1 metres for the worst tyre in the test.

Is a fuel-efficient tyre with low rolling resistance less safe?

No, not as such. Low rolling resistance and high wet grip place opposite demands on the rubber, but premium manufacturers combine class A or B on both. Look at both classes together and give wet grip more weight than rolling resistance.

How do I see on the label whether a tyre is suitable for winter?

Look for the snow symbol: a mountain with three peaks and a snowflake (3PMSF). A tyre only gets that symbol after a snow test under UNECE regulation 117. The M+S marking on the sidewall is no proof of a test and no longer counts as a winter tyre in Germany.

Where do I find the label of the tyres that are on my car now?

Scan the QR code if it is on the sidewall or on a sticker, or look up the brand, type and size in the European database EPREL. If that does not work, call us with your registration number. We look it up for you.

Why are classes F and G no longer on the label?

Since 2021 the scale runs from A to E. Classes A to C have stayed the same, the old class E is now called D, and the old classes F and G fall under E. So an old label and a new one are not the same in the lower classes.

Need help choosing tyres?

Call +31 10 479 00 00 with your registration number. We suggest three tyres with their label classes and tell you the price in advance, including fitting, balancing and disposal of the old tyres.

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip). We work by appointment. Call us with your registration number and we tell you the price and when we can do it.

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