Skateboard Wheels Buying Guide
Sizes, Hardness & Which Wheels to Choose.
Choosing skateboard wheels can be confusing at first, but once you understand size, hardness and where you’ll be skating, it becomes much easier to pick the right set.
At Push Society, we stock skateboard wheels for street skating, skateparks, cruising, ramps, bowls, surfskates and rough UK ground. This guide breaks down what the numbers mean and helps you choose the right wheels for your setup.
What do skateboard wheel sizes mean?
Skateboard wheel size is measured in millimetres, usually shown as 52mm, 54mm, 56mm and so on.
The smaller the wheel, the lighter and more responsive it tends to feel. The bigger the wheel, the faster it rolls and the better it handles rougher ground.
As a simple guide:
| Wheel Size | Best For |
|---|---|
| 49–52mm | Technical street skating, flip tricks, lighter setups |
| 53–54mm | All-round street and park skating |
| 55–56mm | Park, ramps, bowls and mixed terrain |
| 58–60mm | Cruising, rougher ground, transition and filming setups |
| 60mm+ | Cruisers, surfskates and longboards |
If you are unsure, a 53mm or 54mm wheel is usually a safe all-round choice for a standard skateboard.
52mm Skateboard Wheels
52mm wheels are popular for technical street skating. They are small, light and responsive, which makes them good for flip tricks, ledges and flatground.
They sit lower to the ground, which can make your setup feel more stable and snappy, but they will not roll over rough ground as easily as larger wheels.
Best for:
- Street skating
- Flip tricks
- Smooth skateparks
- Smaller, lighter setups
53mm Skateboard Wheels
53mm wheels are a great middle ground for skaters who want a responsive setup without going too small. They still feel good for tricks but roll a little better than 50–52mm wheels. Best for:
- Street
- Park
- Beginners who want a standard setup
- All-round skating
54mm skateboard wheels
54mm wheels are one of the best all-round skateboard wheel sizes. They work well for street, park, ramps and everyday skating.
If you are building your first proper skateboard and do not know what size to choose, 54mm is usually one of the safest options. Best for:
- Beginners
- Street and park
- Mixed skating
- Skaters who want one setup for everything
56mm skateboard wheels
56mm wheels give you more speed and a smoother ride than smaller street wheels. They are popular for skateparks, ramps, bowls and transition skating.
They can still work on a standard skateboard, but depending on your trucks and deck, you may need riser pads to reduce the chance of wheel bite. Best for:
- Skateparks
- Mini ramps
- Bowls
- Rougher ground
- Faster rolling setups
58mm+ skateboard wheels
Once you get into 58mm+ wheels, you are moving into cruiser, filmer, surfskate and rough-ground territory.
These wheels roll faster and handle cracks, stones and rough paths better than small hard wheels. They are a good choice if you want to use your board for transport or cruising as well as skating. Best for:
- Cruising
- Rough UK pavements
- Surfskates
- Filming
- Bowls and transition
- Older skaters getting back into skating
What does skateboard wheel hardness mean?
Wheel hardness is measured using a durometer rating, usually shown as 78A, 85A, 93A, 99A or 101A.
The lower the number, the softer the wheel.
The higher the number, the harder the wheel.
78A–87A:
Soft and smooth
Best for cruising, rough ground & filming.
88A–95A:
Medium-soft
Best for rougher parks, hybrid setups & beginners.
97A–99A:
Hard
Best for Street, park & ramps.
100A–104A
Very hard
Best for smooth parks, technical street & advanced skating.
Soft Wheels
Soft wheels are better for rough surfaces. They absorb vibration, roll more smoothly and make cruising much more comfortable.
They are ideal if you are skating on UK pavements, paths, car parks or rougher outdoor surfaces. Best for:
- Cruising
- Beginners
- Rough ground
- Filming
- Getting around town
The downside is that soft wheels are usually less slidey and can feel a bit slower for technical tricks.
Hard Wheels
Hard wheels are better for tricks, slides and skateparks. They feel faster on smooth concrete and give a more traditional street-skate feel.
Most street and park skaters ride wheels around 99A to 101A, although formulas like Powell Peralta Dragon Formula have made lower durometer wheels more popular because they still slide while feeling smoother on rough ground. Best for:
- Street skating
- Skateparks
- Ramps
- Flip tricks
- Slides
Skateboard Wheels - Frequently Asked
What are Powell Peralta Dragon Formula wheels?
Powell Peralta Dragon Formula wheels are designed to give skaters a smoother ride without losing the ability to slide. They are especially popular with skaters who want a wheel that can handle rougher ground but still feel suitable for street and park skating.
They are a strong option if you skate outdoor spots, crusty ground or mixed terrain but still want a proper skateboard wheel rather than a full cruiser wheel.
Best for:
- Rough street spots
- Outdoor skateparks
- Mixed terrain
- Skaters who want smoother wheels that still slide
Which skateboard wheels are best for beginners?
For most beginners, we recommend starting with something simple and versatile.
A good beginner setup would be:
- Size: 53mm or 54mm
- Hardness: 92A–99A depending on where you skate
- Use: Street, park and general learning
If you are mostly skating smooth skateparks, go slightly harder.
If you are skating rough pavements or outdoor ground, go slightly softer.
Best beginner picks:
- 54mm wheels for all-round skating
- Soft wheels for cruising and rough ground
- Dragon Formula wheels for mixed surfaces
What wheels are best for rough UK ground?
For rough UK ground, small hard wheels can feel horrible. They vibrate, slow down quickly and can catch on cracks or stones.
For rougher surfaces, look for:
- Larger wheels: 56mm to 60mm+
- Softer durometer: 78A to 93A
- A shape with enough contact patch for grip and stability
If you want to cruise, go softer and larger.
If you still want to do tricks, look at hybrid wheels like Powell Peralta Dragon Formula.
Shop: Soft Skateboard Wheels
Shop: Cruiser Skateboard Wheels
Do bigger skateboard wheels need riser pads?
Sometimes, yes.
Riser pads sit between your deck and trucks, giving your wheels more clearance. This helps reduce wheel bite, which happens when your wheels touch the deck while turning.
As a rough guide:
Wheel SizeRiser Pads Needed?
49–54mm - Usually no
55–56mm - Sometimes
58–60mm - Often recommended
60mm+ - Usually recommended
Your truck height, deck shape and how loose you ride your trucks will also make a difference.
Shop: Risers
Still not sure which skateboard wheels to buy?
If you want one safe all-round choice, go for 54mm skateboard wheels.
If you want to cruise or skate rough ground, go for soft skateboard wheels.
If you want a smoother street wheel that can still slide, look at Powell Peralta Dragon Formula wheels.
And if you are building a complete setup from scratch, make sure your wheels match your deck, trucks and the type of skating you actually want to do.
At Push Society, we are here to help you build a board that feels right — whether you are buying your first complete, upgrading your wheels, or putting together a custom setup.
Or, Click below to shop all Skateboard Wheels or visit us in Northampton for advice.