How are skateboard wheels measured? [Quick Facts 2023]

Skateboard wheels come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It can be hard to know which wheel is the right one for you.

Knowing how skateboard wheels are measured is an important step in getting the best wheel for your style of skateboarding. The size, shape, and durometer of a wheel all factor into which wheel is most suitable for you.

Knowing these measurements will make it easier to decide which wheel will give you the best performance on your skateboard.

So, read on for a breakdown of how skateboard wheels are measured.

Quick Guide: Skateboard wheel size is typically measured in millimeters (mm). The most common sizes range from around 50 mm to 80mm. As you get further away from the center, wheels become larger and have more grip. Bigger wheels roll faster over rough surfaces and can help with tricks that require a lot of speed. Smaller wheels are better for technical tricks and sharp turns, as they provide more control.

How skateboard wheels measured?

Skateboard wheels are measured in terms of both size and durometer.

The size of the wheel is measured by a standard called diameter, which is expressed in millimeters. Durometer is defined as the wheel’s hardness, which is expressed on a scale from 1 to 100, with 1 being the softest and 100 the hardest.

Generally speaking, larger wheels will provide more speed and control while smaller ones can offer better maneuverability.

As far as durometer goes, softer wheels (lower numbers) provide more grip on surfaces while harder wheels (higher numbers) are better suited for tricks and jumps.

In addition to these two measurements, skateboard wheels also feature a bearing rating which indicates how much weight they can support without compromising their performance or breaking down prematurely.

What size skateboard wheels do I need?

Skateboard wheels come in different varieties, so it’s important to know what size wheel is right for you.

To make sure you have a pleasant and safe ride, it’s essential to make the correct purchase. The most important factor to consider when choosing your skateboard wheels is the width of the wheel, measured in millimeters.

Wheel length is secondary; usually all that matters is that the wheel fits on your truck. In general, wide wheels are more appropriate for streets and sidewalks while smaller ones are better suited to tricks and ramp riding.

If in doubt, start with a medium-sized wheel (around 50-53 mm) as these can be used for a variety of terrains.

Best way to measure skateboard wheels

Measuring skateboard wheels is an essential part of choosing the right skateboard setup.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, selecting the right wheel size and shape can mean the difference between a sick ride and a not-so-fun experience.

The key to getting it right is understanding how to measure your skateboard wheels correctly.

Size Matters

The size of your skateboard wheel is determined by its diameter, which is usually measured in millimeters (mm). Generally speaking, larger wheels are more stable and provide more speed, while smaller wheels have more maneuverability and better acceleration. Choosing the wrong size can leave you with less control over your board, so it’s important to get this measurement right. 

When measuring your wheel diameter, start by measuring from one side of the wheel to the other at its widest point. Make sure that you’re taking into account any flatspots or irregularities – these will affect the size of your wheel, so make sure to measure accurately. To double check that you got it right, compare your measurements with those listed on the manufacturer’s website or packaging.

Shape Matters Too

In addition to size, shape also plays a big role in determining how well your skateboard performs.

Wheels come in different shapes depending on their intended use street skating requires sharper edges for better grip on rough terrain, while cruiser boards require softer edges for smoother rides on flat surfaces like concrete sidewalks.

When measuring shape, look at how rounded or sharp each edge is; if they appear too rounded or too sharp compared to other wheels of similar sizes, then those might not be suitable for your chosen activity.

How do I know if my skateboard wheels are the right size?

Choosing the right skateboard wheels is an important decision. Not only do they need to be the right size, but they also need to be the right hardness and shape. The wrong wheels can cause you to lose control and even lead to injury, so it’s essential that you make sure you get it right. Here are several tips that will help you pick the perfect skateboard wheels for your needs.

Know Your Style:

The type of skateboarding you do will determine what kind of wheel you need. If you frequently ride ramps and bowls, then a larger wheel is best as it will allow for more speed when grinding or doing tricks. On the other hand, if you are mostly street skating, smaller wheels are better as they offer more control when turning and performing tricks on flat surfaces.

Measure Your Deck:

Once you’ve determined what type of wheel will work best for your style of skating, measure your deck size in inches (length x width). This information is important because it tells you which size wheel is appropriate for your board. Most decks measure between 7-10 inches wide with a length between 28-32 inches long. A good rule of thumb is to look for wheels that are within 1/4 inch of your deck size in order to ensure a good fit.

Wheel Diameter Matters:

Wheel diameter is measured in millimeters (mm). Wheel diameters range from 50mm up to 103mm with most modern street skaters opting for sizes between 50-60mm and bowl riders usually choosing sizes between 60-80mm for maximum speed and control when grinding rails or coping at high speeds. It’s essential that your chosen wheels have a diameter within 1/4 inch of your deck size in order to achieve optimum performance and prevent any potential damage to both the board and yourself.

Hardness Matters Too:

Wheel hardness affects performance as well as durability; harder wheels last longer while softer ones provide better grip on rough terrain but wear down faster than harder ones would typically do so over time due to their increased contact with irregularities such as cracks or stones etcetera on the surface beneath them whilst riding around town or cruising around parks etcetera.. Soft wheels tend to be 85A – 100A whereas hard ones come in at about 101A – 105A – so choose wisely based on where & how often you plan on riding.

Know Your Bearings:

Finally, don’t forget about bearings! Bearings determine how fast or slow your board moves – so choose one that suits your needs best depending on whether speed or control is more important for the kind of riding that you do most often! Bearings come in different sizes (ABEC 1-9) with higher numbers indicating greater speeds but less control over turns & tricks etcetera…so find out what fits best before making any purchases.

Should I get harder or softer skateboard wheels?

If you’ve ever gone skateboarding, you know that the right wheels can make a huge difference in how your board rides. But what type of wheels should you get? Harder or softer? Let’s explore the pros and cons of each to help you decide which is right for you.

Harder Skateboard Wheels

Harder skateboard wheels are typically made from urethane and measure between 75A-101A on the durometer scale (which measures wheel hardness). Harder wheels offer greater speed and better performance on smoother surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. They allow you to perform tricks with more ease, and are ideal for street skating. However, they don’t offer as much grip on rougher surfaces like dirt or grass, which can make them less desirable for off-road riding. 

Softer Skateboard Wheels

Softer skateboard wheels are usually made from polyurethane and measure between 78A-80A on the durometer scale. These types of wheels provide more grip than harder ones, making them ideal for off-road riding. The softness also offers a smoother ride over bumps and cracks in the pavement, providing greater comfort when cruising around town. However, these types of wheels tend to wear out faster than harder ones since they don’t have as much rebound energy when pushed against an obstacle.  

If you’re into street skating and tricks, then harder skateboard wheels may be best for you; however, if off-road riding is more your thing then softer skateboard wheels may be a better option. By understanding the pros and cons of both kinds of skateboard wheels, hopefully it will help guide your decision when choosing yours.

Final Verdict

Skateboard wheels are an important part of the skateboarding experience and should not be taken for granted. Wheels come in many shapes and sizes and can affect your performance dramatically.

Learning how to measure them correctly is the first step towards choosing a wheel that’s perfect for you. With a little bit of knowledge, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions when it comes to buying skateboard wheels.

From picking which diameter works best for you and understanding hardness ratings, to finding out which materials will last the longest, skateboard wheels play an integral role in skating. So roll with confidence knowing what your setup says about you.