How Much Tread Do I Need?
State laws govern tread depth requirements. Therefore, be sure to check what tread depth is needed if you are traveling. However, to simplify things, we have created this photo representation below.
Six states have no laws governing tread depth needed on the tires. The highest requirement is set by Texas at 3/32”, while California and Idaho laws demand only 1/32”. The rest of the states have set their laws at 2/32”.

What Do Your Tire Tread Wear Patterns Tell You?
The tire tread wear patterns will tell you everything you need to know about your tires. If they are over- or underinflated, it will show. Is the vehicle’s alignment faulty? The tread wear will show it.
Learn more about what tread wear patterns mean here.
Why Should I Measure the Tread Depth on My Tires?
Measuring the tread depth on tires gives us an estimate of how long the current tire set will last. Additionally, it is important to ensure your driving safety as well as the vehicle’s performance.
When the tires are worn-out, they do not provide the necessary traction and performance needed for a secure drive. For this reason, following the tread wear of the tires will make sure worn-out tires are not used on the vehicle.
If you are returning a leased vehicle, the tread depth is also crucial. Did you know that your lease contract may require a minimum tread on the tires when you return the vehicle? If that tread amount is not met, you might be charged extra. Sometimes it is cheaper to purchase a new tire set than to pay their fees.
How Much Tread Do Brand New Tires Have?
Most brand new P-metric tires will have at least 10/32” of tread on them. However, there are exceptions. Some performance models may start as low as 8/32”, while larger SUV tires can have deeper starting treads. This rule does not apply to most LT tires.