Understanding Tire Treadwear Ratings (UTQG)
What treadwear numbers actually mean — and what they don't tell you
What Is the UTQG Treadwear Rating?
Every tire sold in the US carries a UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) rating on the sidewall — for example, 500 A A. Here's what each number and letter means.
The Three UTQG Grades
Treadwear (the number)
Treadwear is a relative comparison number. A tire rated 400 should last twice as long as a tire rated 200, under standardized test conditions.
| Treadwear Rating | Typical Tire Type | Expected Life |
|---|---|---|
| 100 – 200 | High-performance summer | 20,000 – 35,000 mi |
| 300 – 400 | Standard all-season | 40,000 – 55,000 mi |
| 500 – 600 | Touring all-season | 60,000 – 80,000 mi |
| 700+ | Long-life touring | 80,000+ mi |
Traction (A, B, C or AA)
Traction measures wet stopping ability in a straight line. AA is best, then A, B, C. Most quality tires are rated A or AA. Avoid anything below A for daily driving.
Temperature (A, B, C)
Temperature measures heat resistance at speed. A is required for tires speed-rated above 115 mph. Most passenger tires are rated A or B.
The Catch
Treadwear ratings are self-reported by manufacturers using their own test track conditions. There's no independent verification. A tire from one brand rated 500 may not outlast a tire from another brand rated 400. Use treadwear as a rough guide, not a guarantee — real-world owner reviews are more reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a higher treadwear number always better?
Not necessarily. Higher treadwear tires (600+) use harder compounds that last longer, but they often sacrifice grip — especially in wet conditions. A touring tire rated 600 may have significantly less wet grip than a performance tire rated 300. It's always a trade-off between longevity and grip.
Where do I find the UTQG rating on my tire?
On the tire sidewall, usually molded into the rubber near the DOT code. It appears as three entries: e.g., TREADWEAR 500 TRACTION A TEMPERATURE A.
Do winter tires have UTQG ratings?
No — winter tires are exempt from UTQG rating requirements. This is because the standardized test conditions are not relevant to winter tire performance, which is evaluated separately by the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification.