Skateboard Wheel Durometer Guide Calculator
Find the ideal skateboard wheel hardness (durometer) based on your skating style, surface type, and weight.
Wheel durometer (hardness) dramatically affects ride quality, grip, slide characteristics, and speed. The durometer scale most commonly used for skateboard wheels is the A scale (Shore A), ranging from about 75A to 101A. Some manufacturers use the B scale, which is 20 points lower (e.g., 80B = 100A).
Durometer Ranges and Their Uses
| Durometer | Category | Best For | Surface Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75A–80A | Very Soft | Cruising, rough roads, longboarding | Smooth, grippy, absorbs cracks |
| 80A–87A | Soft | Filming, cruising, rough streets | Good grip, moderate speed |
| 88A–95A | Medium | All-around street, beginners | Balance of grip and slide |
| 96A–99A | Hard | Street tricks, skateparks | Fast, slides easily |
| 100A–101A | Very Hard | Smooth parks, technical street | Maximum speed, least grip |
| 83B–84B | Extra Hard | Pro-level park skating | Equivalent to 103A–104A |
Choosing by Skating Style
| Style | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Street tricks | 99A–101A | Predictable slides for grinds and kickflips |
| Skatepark | 97A–100A | Speed on smooth concrete |
| Transition/bowl | 95A–99A | Balance of speed and grip |
| Cruising | 78A–87A | Comfort over rough surfaces |
| Downhill | 75A–82A | Maximum grip at speed |
| Filmers | 85A–92A | Smooth, quiet rolling |
Surface Type Impact
Rough asphalt absorbs energy from hard wheels, making you slower. Soft wheels on rough surfaces actually roll faster because they deform around imperfections instead of bouncing off them.
- Smooth concrete (skatepark): Hard wheels (97A+) are fastest
- Average street: Medium wheels (92A–97A) balance speed and comfort
- Rough asphalt: Soft wheels (78A–87A) ride better and are faster
Weight Factor
Heavier riders compress soft wheels more, which can cause sluggish rolling. Riders over 200 lbs (90 kg) may want to go 2–4 points harder than the base recommendation.
Worked Example
Street skater, 160 lbs, skating average-quality street spots:
- Base recommendation: 99A (street tricks)
- Surface adjustment: -2 (average street, not smooth park)
- Weight adjustment: 0 (normal range)
- Recommended: 97A
Wheel Size Note
Durometer and size work together. Smaller wheels (50–53mm) are typically harder and better for technical street. Larger wheels (54–58mm) pair well with softer durometers for transition and cruising.