When it comes to skateboarding, Skateboard wheel hardness remains the single element that drastically alters how the board delivers its performance. Every skater needs the skateboard wheel hardness chart to select suitable wheels for sidewalk cruising and skating at the park. The following guide includes an explanation of the skateboard wheel hardness scale and details about popular durometers 78a skate wheels and 99a skateboard wheels while guiding to select the appropriate wheels based on personal style.
What Is Skateboard Wheel Hardness?
The measurement of skateboard wheel softness or firmness, which goes by the name of durometer, measures wheel responsiveness. The A Scale defines the standards for skateboard wheel hardness through numbers that start with 78A or extend to 99A — hardness increases with higher number values.
- Soft wheels (78A–87A): Excellent grip, great for cruising, rough roads, and longboards.
- Medium wheels (88A–95A): Balanced performance, good for skateparks and beginner tricks.
- Hard wheels (96A–101A+): Preferred by technical skaters because these wheels provide less grip but higher speed capabilities.
Skateboard Wheel Hardness Chart (Visualized)
Different durometers generate this comparison between speed and grip performance levels, which is presented visually below:
As you can see:
- 78A wheels provide excellent grip but lower speed (ideal for cruising).
- 99A wheels offer high speed but minimal grip (ideal for street skating and tricks).
Understanding the Durometer Scale (A Scale vs B Scale)
Most skateboard wheels use the A Scale, but some harder wheels are measured using the B Scale (20 points lower than the A scale).
| Durometer | Hardness Category | Best For |
| 78A | Soft | Cruising, longboards, rough terrain |
| 85A | Soft-Medium | All-around cruising, sidewalks |
| 92A | Medium | Rough parks, beginners |
| 95A | Medium-Hard | Skateparks, bowls |
| 99A | Hard | Street skating, smooth skateparks |
| 101A | Very Hard | Technical tricks, smooth indoor surfaces |
Popular Hardness Ratings Explained
Several wheel hardness ratings exist, which we will analyze in detail below.
🔹 78A Skate Wheels / 78A Wheels Skateboard
- Soft and grippy provides its users with both grip and softness.
- Excellent for longboarding, sidewalks, and city cruising
- Absorbs shocks from cracks and gravel
- Poor choice for tricks or smooth skateparks
🔸 95A Skate Wheels / 95A Roller Skate Wheels
- Balanced hardness with decent grip and speed
- Great for mixed surfaces like bowls and street
- Ideal for beginners who want some control without sacrificing momentum
🔹 99A Skateboard Wheels
- Industry-standard for street skating
- Fast and responsive on smooth concrete
- Ideal properties for performing flip tricks and riding down ledges and rails.
- Not ideal on rough terrain or uneven pavement
Choosing the Right Hardness Based on Terrain
| Terrain Type | Recommended Hardness | Best For |
| Rough streets | 78A–85A | Cruising, commuting, carving |
| Mixed surfaces | 90A–95A | Beginners, bowls, transition |
| Skateparks (smooth) | 95A–99A | Park skating, trick development |
| Indoor ramps | 99A–101A | Technical tricks, professional skaters |
Skate Wheel Hardness vs Other Attributes
- Wheel Size
- Larger wheels (55mm–60mm+) work best when used with soft durometers for cruising purposes.
- Smaller wheels (50mm–54mm) paired with harder wheels deliver the best results for flip tricks together with quick acceleration abilities.
- Contact Patch
- Softer wheels typically have a wider contact patch, improving grip and comfort.
- Harder wheels have narrower contact patches, reducing friction and increasing speed.
Subtopics You Should Know About
What Are Skateboard Wheels Made Of?
Users primarily utilize polyurethane (PU) as their material choice for modern skateboard wheel components. This substance delivers superior durability and flexibility under applied pressure. PU wheels serve as an industry standard because users can modify their specifications for grip alongside hardness and rebound features.
What Is a Good Durometer for Beginners?
The choice for beginners depends on their surface conditions between the 85A and 95A durometer wheels. Select an 85A durometer for neighbourhood cruising purposes. The durometer rating for beginners using park or trick techniques should be 95A.
Performance Trade-offs
| Feature | Soft Wheels (78A–85A) | Hard Wheels (95A–101A) |
| Grip | Excellent | Low |
| Speed | Lower (but smooth ride) | High (but more vibration) |
| Tricks | Less ideal | Best for tricks |
| Comfort | Great for rough terrain | Less shock absorption |
Commonly Questions About Skateboard Wheel Hardness
- What is the best hardness for skateboard wheels?
As for street skating, the best-suited hardness for skateboard wheels is 99A – 101A because of better slide and control during tricks. While cruising or for rougher terrain, 78A-85A is considered ideal for comfort and grip.
- Are 99A wheels considered hard or soft?
Street and park skaters use 99A wheels because they are hard skateboard wheels. In smooth concrete areas, they ensure rapid performance and crisp slides, making them perfect skateboard companions.
- Are 95A wheels considered too soft?
No, because 95A wheels are somewhere in the range of medium-hard, which gives them a balance of grip and speed. This makes them suitable for beginners and skaters who prefer medium versatility on different surfaces. They are just more forgiving.
- What is the purpose of 78A wheels?
78A wheels are soft, which makes them perfect for cruising and commuting. They can also handle rugged surfaces. Smooth-rolling, absorption of shocks and rough terrain, along with great uneven terrain grip, make them ideal.
- What does the skateboard wheel hardness chart show?
The skateboard wheel hardness chart explains how different durometer ratings such as 78A, 95A, 99A and others impact grip, speed, comfort and terrain suitability. It serves to complement the skater’s wheel hardness requirements to their skating style.
- What is meant by the skateboard wheel hardness scale?
The durometer scale, also known as the skateboard wheel hardness scale, ranges from 78A for soft wheels to 101A for the harder ones. It allows skaters to determine the wheels to pick for their preferred speed, grip, and surface.
- What should be the chosen durometer for beginner skaters?
Beginners should aim at the range of 85A – 95A for the best experience. These wheels provide sufficient control and handleable speed on most surfaces, provide reasonable control, and hold onto surfaces.
- What is the best hardness for street skating?
Where 99A to 101A, the level of softness tends to be the best level of hardness for street skating. The given pair is quicker, more responsive to touch, and easily glides, which is the required criterion for technical tricks, ledges, and smooth surfaces.
- How do I use a skateboard durometer chart to pick wheels?
A skateboard durometer chart shows side-by-side the comparison of the softness of the wheel and the performance level they provide in areas like speed and grip. Dependent on what you are aiming for, work off the chart for your desired locations and switch it up according to your level combined with the environment best suited.
- What’s the difference between hard vs soft skateboard wheels?
Wheels that are hard, ranging from 95A to 101A, tend to have the upper hand when it comes to tricks and speed and provide a smooth surface. The soft A range of 78 to 85 offers better control, provides smoother rides, grabs on and is great on rough surfaces. Depending on the type of terrain the skateboard is to be used on and the needs will decide your eventual outcome.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the correct skate wheel hardness involves more than simply personal choice—it requires fitting the wheels to the specific terrain, skill level, and skating style. Use the skate wheel hardness scale and the provided comparisons to make an informed decision as a beginner or a pro shredder.
Keep in mind: the appropriate wheel smoothens the ride.
