Picking the right skateboard wheels comes down to two numbers: size in millimeters and durometer (hardness). Smaller, harder wheels (50–54mm, 99A–101A) slide, flip, and accelerate quickly,  which is why almost every street skater rides them. Larger, softer wheels (54mm+, 78A–87A) grip, absorb cracks, and cruise over rough pavement without buzzing your feet. Here's how to match wheels to how and where you actually skate.

Reading a Skateboard Wheel: The Two Numbers That Matter

Every wheel has two specs printed on it: diameter in millimeters and a durometer rating (the number followed by an "A" or sometimes a "B"). Together they tell you almost everything about how that wheel will ride. Shape and contact-patch width matter too, but size and hardness drive the feel.

Durometer: how hard is the wheel?

Skateboard wheel hardness is measured on the durometer scale. Most skate wheels run the A scale, from about 75A (softest) up to 101A (hardest). A small group of performance wheels uses the B scale, which effectively extends the hardness another 20 points — so an 83B wheel is roughly equivalent to a 103A wheel.

The softer the wheel, the more grip and the more shock it absorbs. The harder the wheel, the faster it slides, the better it controls on smooth concrete, and the quicker it accelerates. Nothing in the middle is a magic bullet,  each extreme exists because it solves a specific problem.

Diameter: how big is the wheel?

Diameter controls top speed, acceleration, and how easily the wheel rolls over cracks. Smaller wheels accelerate faster from a standstill and give a lower center of gravity for flips. Larger wheels maintain speed longer, roll over gaps and pebbles more smoothly, and ride over rough surfaces without stalling out.

Pick Your Wheel by How You Actually Skate

Street and technical flip tricks

Go small and hard. 50–54mm wheels in 99A to 101A are the standard for street skating. The smaller diameter keeps your board close to the ground (more pop on flip tricks), the harder compound slides consistently on ledges and manuals, and the lower weight makes the board feel livelier underfoot. Bones STF (Street Tech Formula) and Spitfire Formula Four at 99–101A are both long-running shop favorites for this style.

Park and transition

Bump up slightly: 52–56mm, still 99A to 101A. The extra diameter carries speed through mellow sections and rolls over coping cleanly. You still want the hard compound so you can slide and grind without flat-spotting. Skaters who split time between street and park can stay at 54mm 99A without really compromising anything.

Cruising, commuting, and filming

Go soft. 54–60mm wheels in 78A to 87A transform a skateboard into a legitimate transport tool. Soft wheels grip rough pavement, roll over cracks that would stop a hard wheel, and cut almost all of the road buzz that tires your feet on long pushes. Many cruiser wheels (like Bones ATF, OJ Plain Jane, and Slime Balls softies) ride at 78A to 80A and use a taller profile so they clear most truck setups without needing riser pads.

Rough pavement, bad sidewalks, and filming dollies

Stay soft, step a little bigger. 58–60mm wheels at 78A–80A are the go-to for skaters in cities with beat-up sidewalks, filmers pushing for shots, and anyone whose local spots have more cracks than smooth concrete. You lose some flip-trick performance but gain the ability to skate anywhere without your setup fighting you.

Longboarding and downhill

Big and soft. 60–75mm+ wheels from 75A to 85A prioritize speed, traction, and comfort over everything else. These are purpose-built for carving, cruising long distances, and controlled sliding at speed. They won't do flip tricks — that's not the job.

A Quick Size Chart

Use this as a starting point — your personal feel and local terrain will tune it from here:

Wheel Shape and Contact Patch: The Third Variable

Shape is the secondary thing to think about once size and hardness are locked. There are three profiles you'll see on most wheels:

• Conical, angled side for slightly narrower contact patch. Easier to slide, faster to break loose. Good all-around street choice.

• Square / Classic, full edge on the outside. More grip and more traction on coping and ledges. A common park and transition shape.

• Radial / Round, rounded outer edge. Middle ground, predictable slides with decent grip. Common in the "all-around" category.

Contact patch width is the amount of rubber actually touching the ground. Wider contact patches grip more; narrower patches slide easier. You don't need to memorize every spec, if you know you want grip, go wider and more square; if you want release, go narrower and more conical.

A Few Wheels We Ride and Recommend

Every wheel below comes in multiple size and hardness options, so match to your style using the chart above.

• Bones STF (Street Tech Formula) 83B hardness, doesn't flat-spot, minimal shrinkage. A workhorse street wheel that lasts far longer than budget options.

• Spitfire Formula Four  99A and 101A versions, fast, consistent slides, and long life. Runs deep in pro setups.

• OJ Plain Jane and Super Juice (softies) 78A cruiser wheels that roll over almost anything. Big diameter (55–60mm) makes them ideal for transport.

• Bones ATF Rough Riders and Slime Balls similar soft cruiser compounds with bigger contact patches for even more grip on bad pavement.

• Snot Wheel Co Swirl Wide Boys wider shape with classic 99A street hardness for skaters who want grip-first street wheels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What wheel size is best for beginners?

For most beginners learning on a standard street board, 52–54mm wheels at 99A are the safest middle-ground pick. They're small and hard enough to learn flip tricks on, but big enough to roll comfortably across average pavement. If the beginner is mostly cruising to school or the park, a soft 56–58mm 78A wheel will feel smoother and much more forgiving.

What does the "A" mean on skateboard wheels?

The A is the durometer scale, a standardized measurement of how hard the wheel's urethane is. It runs from about 75A (very soft) to 101A (very hard) for most skate wheels. A few performance wheels use the B scale, which represents even harder compounds (a 100A wheel and an 80B wheel are roughly the same hardness).

Do harder wheels really last longer?

Generally yes. Harder compounds resist flat-spotting from powerslides and wear more slowly on rough concrete. Softer wheels wear faster but also grip and absorb shock better. Neither is "better", they're optimized for different things. Match the wheel to the terrain and you'll get good life out of either.

A Note on Skating Safely

Skateboarding carries inherent risk of injury. Always wear appropriate protective gear (helmet, pads), skate within your skill level, and respect local rules and other skaters. Product recommendations in this article are based on general skater preferences and manufacturer specifications; individual fit and ride feel vary.

Find Your Wheel

The right wheel makes an average board feel great, and the wrong wheel can make a good board feel broken. Check out the full wheel and bearing selection at Amateur Athlete to find a size and hardness that matches how you skate. If you're not sure, we've been helping skaters pick wheels for over 40 years, just ask.