Tire Date Code Checker
The tire date code is the last four digits of the DOT code on the sidewall, and it says when the tire was made: the first two are the week, the last two are the year. Type them below to see exactly how old the tire is and whether it is time to replace it.
Quick answer: to read the date code on tires, look at the last 4 digits of the DOT code. A tire stamped 2319 was made in week 23 of 2019, early June 2019. Tire makers recommend a yearly inspection from 5 years, many carmakers recommend replacing at 6 years, and no tire should be used past 10 years.
Tire date code location: where to find it on the tire
Look on the sidewall for the letters DOT followed by a string of letters and numbers. The date is the last group: four digits, often inside a small oval.
2319 = week 23 of 2019. The characters before it are the plant, size and maker codes.
- It may be on one side only. The full code with the date is often printed on just one sidewall. If you can't find it, check the inner side, facing under the car.
- Ignore the other characters. The letters and numbers before the date identify the factory, size and maker. Only the last four digits tell you the age.
- Three digits instead of four? The tire was made before 2000 and is well past its safe life.
How to read tire date codes (with examples)
Every DOT tire date code made since 2000 follows the same format: WWYY. The first two digits are the week of production (01 to 53) and the last two are the year.
| Date code | Week | Year | Made around |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0121 | 01 | 2021 | Early January 2021 |
| 2319 | 23 | 2019 | Early June 2019 |
| 3522 | 35 | 2022 | End of August 2022 |
| 5216 | 52 | 2016 | Late December 2016 |
| 178 | 17 | 1990s | Before 2000: replace |
Firestone tire date code (and other brands)
The Firestone tire date code works exactly like every other brand's: find "DOT" on the sidewall and read the last four digits, week first and then year. The format is set by the US Department of Transportation, not by the tire maker, so it is the same on Firestone, Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear, BFGoodrich, Continental, Pirelli, Cooper, Hankook and every other tire sold in the US.
What changes from brand to brand is the rest of the code: the plant code and the maker's own size and type codes. You don't need those to know how old the tire is.
How old is too old for a tire?
Tread depth tells you how worn a tire is. The date code tells you how old the rubber is, and rubber ages even when the tire is parked or sitting in the trunk as a spare. Old rubber hardens, grips less and can crack or separate. These are the usual guidelines:
| Tire age | What to do |
|---|---|
| Under 5 years | Age is fine. Keep checking tread depth, pressure and the sidewalls. |
| 5 to 6 years | Inspect every year. This is the point where tire makers recommend a yearly professional check. |
| 6 to 10 years | Plan to replace. Many carmakers recommend replacing tires at 6 years, whatever the tread looks like. |
| 10 years or more | Replace. The maximum service life tire makers give, spare included. |
Your vehicle's owner's manual and the tire maker's own guidance come first. Heat, sun, low pressure and long periods without driving all age a tire faster, so RVs, trailers and classic cars deserve an extra look. To check how worn the tread is, use our tire tread depth chart.
For tire shops: write the DOT code on every job
Customers rarely know their tires have a birth date. Showing it to them, with the result from this page on your screen or phone, turns "you need new tires" into something they can see for themselves.
- Record the date code of every tire you mount. If a customer comes back with a problem, you know exactly what went on the car and when it was made.
- Check the stock before it goes on a car. Customers increasingly check the date on new tires, and an old tire sold as new is an awkward conversation.
- Put aged tires on the estimate. "Spare is 11 years old" on paper protects you if the customer declines and has a problem later.
OwnDesk Tire tracks DOT codes and tread depth per wheel, with history for every customer. For the rest of the daily routine, see our guide on how to manage a tire shop.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I read the date code on a tire?
How old is too old for a tire?
Is a 6-year-old tire safe?
Do tires expire if they are never used?
Can a brand-new tire already be old?
Why does my tire only have a 3-digit date code?
Is the Firestone tire date code different from other brands?
Where is the date code located on a tire?
What do the other letters and numbers in the DOT code mean?
Track DOT codes for every customer
OwnDesk Tire records DOT codes and tread depth wheel by wheel, with history. It runs on your own computer, works offline and is a one-time payment.