What does the UTQG treadwear number on a tire mean?
What is the UTQG treadwear number?
UTQG stands for Uniform Tire Quality Grading. The treadwear number is printed on the tire sidewall, next to the tire size. It is one of the pieces of information TireScout decodes when you paste in a shop's quote or a tire's specs, along with warranty miles, the DOT date, and price per mile.
Where to find it
The treadwear number is on the sidewall of your tire, along with the tire size. TireScout shows you where to look so you can find both.
Why it matters when comparing tires
- It is one of the numbers TireScout uses, together with warranty miles and price, to calculate price per mile — the number that can make a higher-priced tire actually cheaper over time than a lower-priced one.
- The DOT date on the sidewall is also part of the decode. It tells you how old the tire is, separate from how much tread it has.
What we don't know or can't promise
This guide only covers what TireScout's own description tells you: that the treadwear number exists on the sidewall, and that it is one input into the price-per-mile comparison. We do not have further detail here about how the treadwear scale itself is set or tested. For that, confirm directly with the tire manufacturer or ask a certified technician.
This is not tire safety advice, legal advice, or a guarantee of tire life. Always confirm specifics with the manufacturer or a professional before buying.
What to do next
Use the free TireScout tool to read your own tire size straight from the sidewall, or paste in a shop's quote or a tire's specs. TireScout will decode the treadwear number, warranty miles, DOT date, and price per mile side by side with live marketplace listings — in English or Spanish.