Can I compare treadwear ratings between different tire brands?

No, you should not rely on cross-brand comparisons. Because the government allows manufacturers to test their own tires against a baseline control, a 500 rating from Michelin may not wear at the exact same rate as a 500 rating from Goodyear. It is only mathematically accurate when comparing two tires from the same brand.

How many miles should a 500 treadwear tire last?

As a general rule of thumb, you can multiply the treadwear rating by 100. A 500 treadwear tire will typically last around 50,000 miles under normal driving conditions with proper alignment and rotations.

Does a higher treadwear rating mean the tire has less grip?

Yes. To make a tire last longer (high treadwear), manufacturers must use harder rubber compounds. Hard rubber does not grip the road as aggressively as the soft rubber found in low treadwear performance tires.

What is considered a good treadwear rating?

For a daily commuting vehicle, a rating between 400 and 600 is considered very good, offering a great balance of longevity and wet weather safety. Ratings of 700+ are excellent for longevity but sacrifice some stopping distance.

What does a 200 treadwear mean?

A 200 treadwear rating is typically given to ultra-high-performance summer tires or track day tires. The rubber is extremely soft and sticky, providing incredible handling but usually wearing out in under 20,000 miles.

Tire Treadwear Rating Comparison

Compare two different UTQG treadwear ratings to estimate which tire will last longer and by what percentage.

Quick Answer

If you compare a standard touring tire with a 600 treadwear rating to a performance tire with a 400 treadwear rating, the 600-rated tire is expected to last roughly 50% longer. While the 400-rated tire might last 40,000 miles, the 600-rated tire should theoretically reach 60,000 miles under identical driving conditions.

Enter UTQG string (e.g. 500 AA A)

Found on the tire sidewall as three values: treadwear number, traction grade, temperature grade

Treadwear Comparison Estimator

Tire A (Treadwear)	Tire B (Treadwear)	Difference (%)	Estimated Life Factor
200	400	+100%	Tire B lasts twice as long
400	500	+25%	Tire B lasts 1/4 longer
500	600	+20%	Tire B lasts 1/5 longer
400	800	+100%	Tire B lasts twice as long
600	700	+16%	Tire B lasts slightly longer
300	600	+100%	Tire B lasts twice as long

Formula

Difference % = ((Higher Treadwear − Lower Treadwear) ÷ Lower Treadwear) × 100

Example: ((600 − 400) ÷ 400) × 100 = 50% longer life
Rule of thumb: Treadwear rating × 100 ≈ expected miles under normal conditions
Cross-brand comparisons are unreliable — manufacturers self-test against their own baseline
Higher treadwear = harder rubber = less grip, especially in wet conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

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