DOT date code decoder

Enter the last four digits of the DOT code on your tire to see when it was made and how old it is today. Free, runs in your browser, nothing is stored.

Last updated: October 12, 2026

Short answer: the last four digits of the DOT code on your sidewall are the week and year the tire was made. 2219 means week 22 of 2019. Enter those four digits, or paste the whole code, and the decoder shows the date range and how old the tire is today.

Spaces and letters are fine. We read the final group of digits.

What the DOT code means

Federal rule 49 CFR 574.5 sets the format of the Tire Identification Number (TIN). The date code is the final group of four digits. The first two give the week, where 01 is the first full calendar week of the year, running Sunday to Saturday. The last two are the year. The rule’s own example: 0109 means the week of Sunday January 4 to Saturday January 10, 2009. The earlier groups identify the plant and the tire maker’s own codes, and they do not tell you age.

NHTSA notes the full TIN may be on only one side of the tire, so check both sidewalls.

Three digit codes (before 2000)

Before 2000 the date code had three digits, with one digit for the year, as the 2015 Federal Register notice on tire identification explains. A code like 239 means week 23 of a year ending in 9, but the decade is not stated. Any such tire is now more than 25 years old.

How old is too old?

  • NHTSA: tires are more prone to failure as they age, and some vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires that are six to 10 years old, regardless of treadwear.
  • Michelin: recommends a professional inspection after five years of use and replacing tires ten years after the date of manufacture, spares included, regardless of tread depth or appearance.
  • Your vehicle maker may say less, so check your owner’s manual. Spares age too, even if never used.

Age is one signal among several. Tread depth, cracks, bulges and vibration can mean a tire needs replacing much sooner. See when to replace tires and the DOT date code guide, and have a licensed shop inspect anything you are unsure about.

FAQ

How do I read a tire DOT date code?

Find the code that starts with DOT on the sidewall. The last four digits are the date code: the first two are the week and the last two are the year. 2219 means the 22nd week of 2019. Federal rule 49 CFR 574.5 defines week 01 as the first full Sunday to Saturday week of the year.

How old is too old for a tire?

NHTSA says some vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires that are six to 10 years old, regardless of tread. Michelin, for example, recommends replacement ten years after the date of manufacture, spares included, and a professional inspection after five years of use. Check your own vehicle and tire maker’s guidance, which may be stricter.

What if my code has only three digits?

Tires made before 2000 used a three digit code: two digits for the week and one for the year, so the decade cannot be read from the code alone. Any such tire is more than 25 years old and is well past the 10 year guidance tire makers publish.

I cannot find four digits on my tire. Why?

The full TIN is often printed on only one side of the tire, so check the other sidewall. NHTSA notes the TIN may not be on both sides. The date code is usually in a small oval at the end of the sequence.

Do you store what I enter?

No. The decoder runs entirely in your browser and nothing is sent or saved.

Sources

Outbound links to public references. We paraphrase; visit the source for full wording and updates.