Wheel hardness is measured in durometer: soft wheels around 78 to 87A grip and roll smoothly over rough ground for cruising, while hard wheels around 99 to 101A slide and stay fast on smooth skateparks and street spots. Diameter changes speed and clearance: 50 to 54 mm suits street, 54 to 58 mm parks and bowls, and 58 mm and up cruising. Big soft wheels may need risers to avoid wheel bite.
Wheels decide how a board rolls over cracks, how fast it goes and how it slides.
Durometer
| Hardness | Feel | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 78 to 87A | Soft, grippy, smooth | Cruising, rough pavement |
| 88 to 95A | Medium | Rough street, mixed |
| 96 to 99A | Hard | Skateparks, street |
| 100A and up (or B scale) | Very hard, slides easily | Smooth parks, technical street |
The B scale reads about 20 points lower than the A scale.
Diameter
| Size | Use |
|---|---|
| 50 to 53 mm | Street, technical |
| 53 to 56 mm | All-round, parks |
| 56 to 60 mm | Bowls, transition |
| 60 mm and up | Cruisers, longboards |
Shape
Narrow, conical shapes lock into grinds; wide contact patches grip and slide predictably.
Wheel bite
Large or soft wheels on low trucks can touch the deck in turns. Use risers or higher trucks.
Keep them spinning with good bearings. Browse skateboards.
Common questions
What durometer wheels are best for beginners?
For skateparks and street, about 99A. For cruising on rough pavement, softer wheels around 78 to 87A.
What is the B scale on skateboard wheels?
A scale for very hard wheels that reads about 20 points lower than the A scale, so 83B is roughly 103A.
What size skateboard wheels should I get?
52 to 54 mm for street and all-round, 54 to 58 mm for parks and bowls, and larger for cruising.
What is wheel bite?
When a wheel touches the deck during a turn and stops suddenly. Risers or tighter trucks prevent it.