Quick answer: Skateboard wheels come down to two numbers: diameter in millimetres and hardness (durometer). For an all-round street and park setup, about 52–54 mm and 99A–101A is a common starting point. For cruising and rough ground, go bigger and softer, around 56–60 mm and 78A–87A. Then check your truck height so bigger wheels do not cause wheel bite.
Wheels change how a board feels more than almost any other part. The wrong pair can make a smooth path feel like gravel or turn every crack into a stop. Once you have your trucks sized to your deck, wheels are the next part of a solid setup.
The two numbers on every wheel
- Diameter (mm): how tall the wheel is. Bigger wheels roll over cracks and hold speed. Smaller wheels are lighter and sit lower.
- Durometer (hardness): how hard the urethane is, usually written on the A scale, such as 99A. Higher numbers are harder.
Shape and contact patch matter too, but get these two right first.
Skateboard wheel size guide
| Diameter | Best for | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| 50–53 mm | Technical street and flat-ground tricks | Light and low, but feels every crack |
| 54–56 mm | All-round: street, parks, some transition | A sensible middle ground if you are unsure |
| 56–60 mm | Transition, bowls, rough ground | Holds speed and rolls over small debris |
| 60 mm and up | Cruising and getting around | Smooth and fast, usually soft, less suited to tricks |
These ranges overlap and are a starting point, not a rule. Many skaters ride outside them on purpose.
Skateboard wheel hardness (durometer) explained
| Durometer | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 78A–87A | Soft | Cruising, rough ground, quiet and grippy rides |
| 88A–95A | Medium | Rough streets and mixed surfaces with some trick riding |
| 96A–101A | Hard | Smooth parks and street; most common for tricks |
| 83B–84B | Extra hard (B scale) | Very smooth parks and street |
Soft wheels grip, absorb vibration and stay quiet, but they are slower to slide and can feel heavy for flip tricks. Hard wheels roll fast on smooth concrete and slide predictably, but they are loud and chattery on rough ground, and small stones can stop them suddenly.
About the B scale: some brands use the B scale for very hard wheels. It reads about 20 points lower than the A scale, so 83B is roughly 103A. Treat it as an approximation for comparing brands. Hardness can also feel a little different from one brand's urethane to another.
Match wheels to the ground you actually skate
Choose for your surface first, then for the tricks you want to learn.
- Smooth skatepark concrete: 52–56 mm, 99A–101A.
- Rough streets and pavement: 53–56 mm, around 90A–97A, so you still have some give.
- Cruising and transport: 56–60 mm or larger, 78A–87A.
- Not sure yet: about 54 mm in a hard-but-not-hardest wheel is a forgiving all-rounder while you learn to push and stop and turn.
Wheel bite, truck height and riser pads
Wheel bite happens when a wheel touches the underside of the deck during a turn or landing. The wheel stops, the board stops, and you keep going. The risk rises with bigger wheels, lower trucks and looser or softer bushings.
| Wheel size | Usual setup |
|---|---|
| Up to about 54 mm | Fine on most standard trucks without risers |
| 55–57 mm | Mid or high trucks; a riser pad may help, especially with loose trucks |
| 58 mm and up | High trucks and/or riser pads are usually needed |
If you add a riser pad, use mounting bolts that are longer by the same thickness. Tightening your trucks slightly or using harder bushings also reduces wheel bite.
Wheel shape and contact patch
- Contact patch: the width of the wheel that touches the ground. Wider gives more grip and stability; narrower is lighter and slides more easily.
- Classic or standard shape: rounded edges; easy-going, good for most skating.
- Conical or radial shapes: flatter, wider riding surfaces that some skaters prefer for locking into grinds.
Bearings and wheel care basics
Standard skateboard wheels take standard 608 bearings, two per wheel, that fit an 8 mm axle. Keep wheels and bearings dry, wipe off grit after dusty sessions, and rotate your wheels occasionally so they wear evenly. If a wheel develops a flat spot from sliding, it will thump on every rotation and it is time to replace it.
Common wheel mistakes
- Buying the hardest wheels for rough streets and wondering why every pebble stops you.
- Putting big cruiser wheels on low trucks with no riser, then getting wheel bite.
- Choosing tiny wheels because a pro rides them, before you have the basics.
- Forgetting longer bolts when adding risers.
Before you test a new setup, warm up (here is our warm-up guide) and wear your protective gear. Then use BUTR Spots to find a smooth place to try it.
Keep Pushing
The right wheels are the ones that suit your ground and the skating you want to do. Start with a forgiving all-round pair, notice how they feel, and adjust from there.
What wheel size and hardness are you riding right now, and where do you skate them? Share your setup in the comments below.
