Tire Wear Estimator
Estimate remaining tire life based on current tread depth, driving habits, and conditions.
Tire wear estimation helps you predict when your tires will need replacement, allowing you to budget and plan ahead for safety.
How tire wear is measured: New tires typically have 8–9 mm (10/32 to 11/32 inches) of tread depth. The minimum legal tread depth in most regions is 1.6 mm (2/32 inches). Most experts recommend replacing tires at 3 mm (4/32 inches) for adequate wet-weather grip.
Wear rate formula:
Remaining life (km) = (Current tread - Minimum tread) / Wear rate per km
Wear rate = (New tread - Current tread) / Distance driven so far
Or estimated by usage type:
| Driving Conditions | Average Wear Rate |
|---|---|
| Highway (gentle) | 0.06 mm per 1,000 km (0.1 mm per 1,000 mi) |
| Mixed driving | 0.10 mm per 1,000 km (0.16 mm per 1,000 mi) |
| City (stop-and-go) | 0.14 mm per 1,000 km (0.22 mm per 1,000 mi) |
| Aggressive driving | 0.20 mm per 1,000 km (0.32 mm per 1,000 mi) |
Factors that increase tire wear:
- Under- or over-inflation (check monthly)
- Aggressive acceleration and braking
- Poor wheel alignment
- Heavy vehicle loads
- Hot road surfaces
- Performance/soft compound tires
When to use this calculator:
- Checking if tires will last until your next service
- Budgeting for tire replacement
- Comparing wear rates between tire brands
- Planning for seasonal tire swaps
Practical example: A tire with 5 mm of tread remaining (started at 8 mm) on a car driven mostly in the city has approximately 21,000 km (13,000 mi) of life remaining before reaching the 2 mm replacement threshold. At the recommended 3 mm threshold, that drops to about 14,000 km (8,700 mi).
Tips:
- Use the “coin test” — insert a coin into the tread groove to check depth visually.
- Rotate tires every 8,000–12,000 km (5,000–7,500 mi) for even wear.
- Check tire pressure monthly — under-inflation is the leading cause of premature wear.
- Uneven wear patterns indicate alignment or suspension problems.