The noise rating is the third measure on the tyre label, covering the external rolling noise a tyre makes. It is the least safety-critical of the three ratings, but a useful tie-breaker between otherwise similar tyres.
What it measures
The rating covers rolling noise on the outside of the car, the sound the tyre contributes to the road environment, measured in decibels (dB). Importantly, this is about noise outside the vehicle, for environmental reasons, rather than the noise a driver hears in the cabin.
The lower the figure, the quieter the tyre. Because decibels are a compressed scale, even a small reduction in the number represents a worthwhile drop in noise.
The class, old and new
How the noise figure is presented changed with the 2021 label:
- The newer label shows the decibel value alongside a class of A, B or C, where A is quietest and C is loudest
- The older label showed the decibel value with one, two or three black sound-wave bars instead, one bar being quietest and three loudest
The two systems line up: the old three-bar tyre is equivalent to the new class C, and a quieter old one-bar tyre maps to the better end of the new scale. Either way, the decibel value itself tells the fuller story for anyone comparing closely.
How much it matters
For most drivers the noise rating sits below wet grip and fuel efficiency in importance. It does not affect safety, and cabin quietness depends on the car as much as the tyre. Where it earns its place is as a deciding factor between two tyres that are otherwise close on the ratings that matter more: given a similar wet grip and fuel grade, the quieter tyre is the more comfortable choice and the kinder one to the surroundings. It is a useful tie-breaker when choosing between two otherwise-similar sets, and online sellers list the noise figure among the label values for each tyre, Tyres.co.uk included, so the quieter of the two is easy to spot.
From the workshop: noise is the grade people care about last, and that is about right. But when two tyres are neck and neck on grip and fuel, we will point to the quieter one, because on a long motorway run that difference is something the driver actually notices.
Sources and accuracy. The noise scale, the decibel measure and the relationship between the old bars and the new A to C classes reflect the published labelling standards at the time of writing. If anything here looks wrong, get in touch and we will check it and put it right.
Common questions
What does the noise rating on a tyre mean?+
It shows the external rolling noise the tyre makes, measured in decibels. On the newer label this is shown with an A, B or C class, where A is quietest and C is loudest. It measures noise outside the car, not what the driver hears.
What do the sound-wave bars on a tyre label mean?+
On the older label, external noise was shown by one, two or three black sound-wave bars rather than a letter. One bar was quietest and three was loudest. On the newer label these became the A, B and C classes, with the three-bar tyre equivalent to class C.
Is a quieter tyre better?+
A lower noise rating means less external noise, which is better for the environment around busy roads and can contribute to a quieter drive. It is usually a lower priority than wet grip or fuel efficiency, but it is a worthwhile tie-breaker between similar tyres.
Does the noise rating tell you how loud the cabin will be?+
Not directly. The label measures external noise for environmental purposes, not the noise heard inside the car. Cabin quietness depends on the car's insulation too, so the rating is only a rough guide to how refined a tyre will feel.