Where to Find the Date Code on a Tire: Quick Visual Guide

You can find the tire date code on the sidewall after the DOT marking. Look for the last four digits of the Tire Identification Number: the first two show the week and the last two show the year of manufacture, such as 2416 for the 24th week of 2016. On 7- to 13-character DOT strings, the date code always sits at the end, and it tells you how old the tire is. Keep going to see how to decode it.

Key Takeaways

• Find the tire date code on the sidewall after the “DOT” marking.
• The last four digits show the manufacture date in week-and-year format.
• The first two digits are the week, and the last two digits are the year.
• Example: 2416 means the tire was made in the 24th week of 2016.
• Check tire age regularly, because tires older than six years may need replacement.

What the Tire Date Code Looks Like

You’ll usually find the tire date code on the sidewall, right after the “DOT” marking. The Tire Date Code is a four-digit number that tells you the week and year of manufacture. Read the first two digits as the week, and the last two as the year. For example, 2416 means the tire came from the 24th week of 2016. This code sits inside the larger DOT string, which may include other technical characters for tire specs. If the tire was made after April 13, 2025, you’ll see a 13-character Tire Identification Number, and the date code still appears within it. When you know this format, you can judge tire age fast and make choices with more control. Check the sidewall carefully, read the numbers in order, and trust the pattern: week first, year second. Understanding UTQG ratings can also help assess tire quality and longevity.

Where to Find the DOT Code on the Sidewall

Look on the tire sidewall near the rim for the DOT marking. Read the full sidewall character string after “DOT,” since it can include up to 13 characters that identify the tire. For tires made since 2000, check the last four digits to find the week and year code. This information is essential for ensuring tire selection criteria are met when choosing new tires.

Locate The DOT Marking

The DOT marking appears on the tire sidewall and starts with the letters “DOT” followed by a sequence of characters that identify the tire. You’ll usually find the Tire DOT Code on one sidewall of a tire, and it should appear on at least one side for proper identification. Scan the sidewall for the full string, then locate the last four digits; this date code shows the week and year of manufacture. The first two characters after DOT indicate the plant code, while the remaining characters form the Tire Identification Number (TIN). For tires made after April 13, 2025, the DOT code uses a 13-character Tire Identification Number (TIN). Use this marking to check tire age, confirm traceability, and make informed, independent safety decisions.

Read Sidewall Character String

Once you’ve located the DOT marking on the sidewall, read the full alphanumeric string that follows it to find the tire’s date code. This string is the Tire Identification Number (TIN), and you’ll see it on at least one sidewall for inspection and verification. The DOT code can run 7 to 13 characters; the last four digits matter most for a tire manufactured since 2000. Use them to gauge age and safety. The first two digits show the week of manufacture, and the last two digits show the year. Keep your focus on the sidewall character string, not the tire size or branding. Reading the DOT code yourself lets you check what the market hides and make informed, independent choices.

Find Date Code Ending

Search the tire sidewall for the DOT marking, usually molded near the rim, and read the characters that follow it. On your Tire, the complete DOT string can run up to 13 characters, but the Date code ends with the last four digits. Those digits indicate the week and year of manufacture, so you can Read age fast.

Check this code often; it can indicate wear risk and recall exposure. If the final four digits are missing, the tire likely predates 2000, and you should verify before you roll free.

How to Decode the Last Four Digits

To decode the last four digits of a tire date code, read the first two numbers as the week of manufacture and the last two as the year, so “2416” means the tire was made in the 24th week of 2016. This Tire Identification Number (TIN) format lets you check the week of the year and the year the tires were built. On tires made since 2000, these last four digits are the key to age and safety. You’ll find the code on the sidewall after DOT, where you can inspect it quickly. If the tire date code shows a build date older than six years, plan a replacement even if tread looks fine. Aging weakens rubber before wear indicators do. By checking the last four digits yourself, you keep control over your equipment, avoid hidden risk, and make informed choices on your own schedule. Additionally, being aware of tire longevity and maintenance can help you maximize the lifespan of your tires.

How to Read 7- to 12-Character TINs

Not every tire uses the same-length code, so you need to read the full Tire Identification Number, or TIN, as a sequence of parts. The Tire Identification Number (TIN) can run 7 to 12 characters, and you can read the tire by breaking it down in order. First, find the plant code; it shows where the tire was made. Next, read one to two characters for the tire size code, which tells you the dimensions. Then look for up to four optional characters that may note construction details, like reinforcement or design changes. If the TIN has 12 characters, the last four digits give the date code and manufacturing date: the first two digits are the week, and the last two are the year. For example, 2319 means the 23rd week of 2019. That date helps you judge tire age, safety, and whether you’re still rolling with freedom. Understanding the UTQG rating can also help you assess the tire’s longevity and performance characteristics.

How to Read 13-Character TINs

For 13-character TINs, you’ll read the code in three parts: the first three characters identify the plant where the tire was made, the next six give the tire size and type, and the final four digits show the manufacture date. Use the Tire Identification Number (TIN) to verify fitment and timing.

Read the last four digits as week-year format: the first two digits show the production week, and the next two show the year. A TIN ending in 2910 means week 29 of 2010.

Inspect your tires on at least one sidewall, since the date code may appear on only one side. This check helps you confirm safety compliance, spot aging inventory, and keep control over your tire choices. Understanding the recycling process can also help you make informed decisions about tire disposal and replacement.

Example of a Tire Date Code

You’ll usually read the tire date code as the last four digits after the DOT marking on the sidewall. The first two digits show the week, and the last two show the year, so a code like 2416 means the tire was made in the 24th week of 2016. Once you identify that code, you can check the tire’s age and plan replacement before performance or safety declines. Additionally, maintaining proper tire pressure is crucial for ensuring optimal performance and longevity.

Reading The Four Digits

Once you locate the DOT marking on the tire sidewall, read the last four digits to identify its manufacture date. On a Tire Identification Number (TIN), those last four numbers tell you when the tire’s built. For tires made since 2000, the first two digits indicate the week, and the last two digits indicate the year. Use that code to judge age fast and keep your vehicle under your control.

• Find DOT on the sidewall
• Check the tire’s last four numbers
• Read the first two digits
• Read the final two digits
• Compare the date to replacement needs

For example, 2416 means week 24 of 2016. Don’t guess—verify the code, protect your safety, and make informed, independent choices on the road.

Week And Year Meaning

A tire date code like 2416 breaks down into two parts: the first two digits show the week of manufacture, and the last two digits show the year. You read the tire date code to identify the week and year it was manufactured. This tells you the age of a tire, which helps you decide whether it’s still fit for service or due for replacement. Find the code on the sidewall after the DOT marking, inside the Tire Identification Number format used on newer tires. If you know the code, you can make faster, safer choices without guesswork. For tires manufactured after April 13, 2025, the 13-character Tire Identification Number also carries the date data you need.

Example: 2416 Explained

• 24 = production week
• 16 = production year
• Four digits = older style tire date code
• Check it before you buy or mount
• Replace or inspect tires over six years old

This code helps you judge age fast, not guess. If your tire’s tread looks fine but the date says 2416, it may still need inspection. Aging rubber can crack, harden, and lose grip. Knowing the code puts you in control and keeps your ride safer.

Why Tire Age Matters

Tire age matters because rubber degrades over time, even when the tread still looks usable, and that deterioration can reduce traction, lengthen stopping distances, and increase blowout risk. When you’re inspecting your tires, read the tire date code on the sidewall to verify the manufactured date and gauge tire age. That simple check protects your safety and helps you replace aging tires before problems appear. Additionally, using winter tires specifically designed for cold conditions can enhance your vehicle’s overall performance and safety.

Extreme heat and UV exposure speed up aging, so your tires can weaken faster than wear alone suggests. Knowing the date code gives you leverage: you control replacement timing, maintain performance, and stay safer on the road.

How to Check Tire Age and Tread Together

Once you know where to find the date code, check tire age and tread together so you can judge overall safety more accurately. Read the tire date code on the sidewall’s DOT code; the last four digits show the week and year made, like 2416 for the 24th week of 2016. Then verify tread depth, because tire age alone doesn’t tell you how much grip you’ve got left.

Check the DOT date code, then verify tread depth—age alone can’t tell you remaining grip.

• Note the DOT code and record the tire age.
• Measure tread depth with a gauge.
• Try the penny test for a quick check.
• Watch for uneven tread wear across the tire.
• Compare all four tires, not just one.

If tread depth reaches 2/32 inch or less, the tire’s worn out for safe service. Uneven wear can point to alignment problems, so inspect both sides and keep your wheels honest. When you check age and tread together, you make a clear, practical decision and stay free from avoidable road risk. Additionally, ensure you choose dedicated winter tires to enhance safety during winter conditions.

When to Replace an Aged Tire

Replace an aged tire when the date code shows it is 6 years old or more, even if the tread still looks usable, because rubber degrades over time. Check the tire date code on the sidewall during every inspection so you know when it was manufactured and can judge age, not just tread. If the date code shows more than 10 years, replace it immediately; that aged tire has likely lost strength and may fail without warning. Don’t trust appearance alone. Heat, UV light, and harsh weather speed aging, so older tires need more frequent inspection. Replace any tire with tread at or below 2/32 inch right away, since traction is no longer adequate. You stay in control when you use facts, not guesswork. Read the code, measure the tread, and replace tired rubber before it compromises your freedom on the road. Additionally, consider the UTQG ratings when assessing your tire’s condition and longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to Find Date Code on Tire?

You’ll find the date code on the tire sidewall, right after the letters DOT. Check the last four digits; they show the week and year it was made. Use this for Tire maintenance tips, Tire safety inspections, Choosing replacement tires, Understanding tire lifespan, and Seasonal tire considerations. If the code reads 2416, the tire was built in the 24th week of 2016. Inspect it regularly for safer, freer driving.

What if My Tire Doesn’t Have a Date Code?

If your tire doesn’t have a date code, you should assume it may be very old or damaged. Check every sidewall, inspect for other markings, and run tire safety checks right away. Use tire replacement tips to judge risk, and review tire longevity factors like wear, storage, and heat exposure. Keep up tire maintenance practices, follow seasonal tire recommendations, and ask a tire pro if you can’t verify its age.

What Does the Date Code on a Car Tire Look Like?

The date code looks like a small four-digit stamp, a town crier in the tire manufacturing process. You’ll see it after “DOT” on the sidewall, like 2416: 24 means the week, 16 the year. This mark helps you track tire safety standards, follow tire storage tips, spot tire aging effects, and judge tire replacement signs. If you find only three digits, your tire may be old and unsafe.

How to Read if a Tire Is Expired?

You read a tire’s expiration by checking the DOT code’s last four digits: the first two show the week, the last two show the year. If it’s over six years old, you should plan replacement; over ten years, it’s expired. Watch tire lifespan factors, signs of aging, and follow safety guidelines. Use these tire replacement tips to avoid expiration impacts and keep your ride reliable and free.

Conclusion

You can find the tire date code on the sidewall, usually at the end of the DOT string. It looks like a small stamp beside tread depth and rubber texture—age on one side, wear on the other. Read the last four digits to see the week and year. If the tire’s date is old but the tread still looks sharp, don’t assume it’s safe. Check both together, and replace aged tires before time turns into risk.