The date is stamped on the tire's sidewall in a four-digit code
Every tire made since 2000 has a Department of Transportation (DOT) code printed on the sidewall — the outer edge you can see when the tire is on your car. The last four digits of that code tell you when the tire was manufactured. The first two digits are the week (01 through 53), and the last two digits are the year. So a code ending in 3521 means the tire was made in week 35 of 2021.
You do not need any tools to find this information. Walk around your car, look at the sidewall of each tire, and find the long string of letters and numbers that starts with "DOT". It will be on one side of the tire only — usually the side facing outward. The code is raised or indented into the rubber, so you can feel it with your finger if you cannot see it clearly.
The reason tire manufacturers stamp this date is that rubber degrades over time, even if the tire is not being driven. This matters because a tire that looks fine on the outside may have internal damage from age. Knowing when a tire was made helps you understand how old it really is, separate from how much tread it has left.
Key Takeaways
- The DOT code on your tire's sidewall ends with four digits: the first two are the week of manufacture, the last two are the year.
- A tire made in week 15 of 2019 would end in 1519; a tire from week 03 of 2023 would end in 0323.
- Tires older than six years should be inspected by a professional, even if the tread looks good, because rubber breaks down with age.
- Most tire shops and car mechanics can tell you the age of your tires if you cannot locate or read the code yourself.
Where exactly to look on the tire
The DOT code runs along the sidewall, usually near the bottom edge where the tire meets the rim. Start at the valve stem (the small metal or rubber tube where you add air) and scan around the sidewall. The code will be a long string — typically 10 to 13 characters — and it will begin with the letters "DOT".
On some tires, the code wraps around the sidewall, so you may need to crouch down and look from different angles. If the tire is on the car, you might find it easier to check the spare tire first, since it is usually easier to see. Once you know what you are looking for, the other tires become faster to read.
If you cannot find the code on the outside of the tire, check the inside sidewall — the side facing the car's body. Some manufacturers stamp the code on both sides, and some only on one. If you still cannot locate it after checking both sides, a tire shop can read it for you in seconds.
How to decode the four-digit date
The four digits at the end of the DOT code follow a straightforward pattern. The first digit is the tens place of the week, and the second digit is the ones place. So 03 means week 3, 15 means week 15, and 52 means week 52. The third digit is the tens place of the year, and the fourth digit is the ones place. So 19 means 2019, 21 means 2021, and 24 means 2024.
Here are some real examples: a code ending in 0520 was made in week 5 of 2020. A code ending in 3223 was made in week 32 of 2023. A code ending in 4819 was made in week 48 of 2019. Once you spot the pattern, you can read any tire date in a few seconds.
One thing to watch: the code only tells you the week and year, not the exact day. If a tire was made in week 15 of 2022, you know it was made sometime during that week, but not which day. For most purposes, knowing the week and year is enough.
Why tire age matters beyond tread wear
Tread depth tells you how much rubber is left on the tire's surface, but age tells you about the rubber's condition inside. Rubber is a material that hardens and cracks over time, especially when exposed to heat, sunlight, and weather. A tire with plenty of tread but ten years of age may fail suddenly because the rubber has become brittle, even though it looks fine from the outside.
The tire industry and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommend that tires be inspected by a professional once they reach six years of age, and replaced by ten years of age, regardless of tread depth. This does not mean a six-year-old tire is unsafe — it means a professional should look at it. A ten-year-old tire should be replaced even if it has tread left, because the risk of failure becomes too high.
Age matters most if a tire has been sitting unused for a long time. A spare tire in your trunk, or a tire on a car that is parked most of the year, can degrade faster than a tire that is driven regularly. This is why checking the date on your spare tire is especially useful — you might discover it is older than you thought and needs replacement before you ever have to use it.
What to do if your tire is older than six years
If you find that one or more of your tires is six years old or older, schedule an inspection with a tire shop or your car's mechanic. Bring the tire date code with you, or just tell them the year and week. A professional can look at the tire for signs of cracking, bulging, or other damage that age can cause. They can tell you whether the tire is still safe to drive on or needs to be replaced.
You do not have to replace a six-year-old tire when ready just because of the date. The inspection is the important step. Some tires in good condition at six years can be driven safely for another year or two, while others may show damage and need to come off right away. A professional can make that call based on what they see.
If your tire is ten years old or older, most shops will recommend replacement without hesitation. At that age, the risk of sudden failure is high enough that the cost of a new tire is worth the safety gain.
Checking all four tires and your spare
Make a habit of checking the date on all four tires at once, so you know which ones are oldest. Write down the dates somewhere — your phone notes, your car's maintenance log, or a sticky note in your glove box. This way, you will know when to plan for replacement before a tire fails.
Do not forget the spare tire. Many people discover their spare is older than the tires on the car, because the spare sits unused for years. If you ever need to use that spare, you want to know it is safe. Check the spare at the same time you check the others.
If you buy a used car or used tires, checking the date code is one of the first things to do. A tire that looks new on the outside might be several years old. Knowing the real age helps you decide whether to replace it soon or whether you have time before it needs to come off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I cannot find the DOT code on my tire?
The code is on the sidewall of every tire made since 2000, but it may be on the inside or outside of the tire, and it may be harder to see on some tires than others. If you have looked carefully on both sides and still cannot find it, a tire shop can locate and read it for you in seconds. They deal with this every day and know where manufacturers tend to place the code.
Does the date code tell me how long the tire will last?
No. The date tells you when the tire was made, but how long it lasts depends on how much you drive, the road conditions, how well you maintain tire pressure, and how the tire is stored. A tire from 2020 that has been driven 50,000 miles may be safer than a tire from 2023 that has been driven 60,000 miles. Tread depth and condition matter more than age alone, but age is still important to track.
Can I drive a tire that is older than six years?
Many people do, and many tires older than six years are still safe. The six-year mark is when professionals recommend an inspection, not when the tire automatically becomes unsafe. An inspection will tell you whether your specific tire is still good or needs replacement. At ten years, replacement is recommended regardless of condition.
Is the date code the same as the expiration date?
No. The date code tells you when the tire was manufactured. Tires do not have an official expiration date, but they do degrade over time. The six- and ten-year guidelines are recommendations based on how rubber typically ages, not hard cutoffs where a tire suddenly becomes unsafe.
What if one tire is much older than the others?
If one tire is significantly older — say, three or more years older — it may be worth replacing sooner than the others, especially if it is showing signs of wear or damage. Tires on the same car do not have to be the same age, but having a very old tire mixed with newer ones can affect how your car handles. A tire shop can advise you on whether to replace just that one or wait until more need replacement.