Best Car Tire Tread Depth Gauge (2026): 5 Gauges Compared
Five tire tread depth gauges compared by scale, color coding, build, pack size and warranty, for the garage and the glove box.
On this page
Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Top pickJACO TreadPro9.7/10View on Amazon - 2
Best single gaugeGODESON 887029.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Best pairGODESON 88702 2-Pack9.6/10View on Amazon - 4
Best pocket pairNewkita 2-Pack9.5/10View on Amazon - 5
Dial Type Tire Tread Depth Gauge 88703 Professional forView on Amazon - 6
Tire Tread Depth GaugeView on Amazon - 7
88702 Smart Color Coded Tire Tread Depth GaugeView on Amazon - 8
CZC AUTO Digital Tire Pressure Gauge with Tread Depth GaugeView on Amazon - 9
Digital Tire Tread Depth GaugeView on Amazon
Rotation day in the garage: wheels off, tires in a row, and the question hanging over each one is whether the tread has another season left. A best car tire tread depth gauge settles that question at the tread groove, without guessing from a glance. This guide compares five gauges by scale, color coding, build, pack size and warranty, so the one that lands in the glove box matches the job.
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Quick picks
- Top pick JACO TreadPro: Dial readout in 1/32 inch increments, color coded scale, leather pouch. Check price on Amazon
- Best single gauge GODESON 88702: Stainless steel gauge, color coded bar, pocket clip, 1 year warranty. Check price on Amazon
- Best pair GODESON 88702 2-Pack: Two stainless steel gauges with a color coded bar and pocket clips. Check price on Amazon
- Best pocket pair Newkita 2-Pack: Two pocket-sized stainless steel gauges with a color coded bar. Check price on Amazon
Picks for the garage
JACO TreadPro Tire Tread Depth Gauge
A dial tread depth gauge that reads in 1/32 inch increments to a max depth of 14/32 inch, with a color coded scale and a leather pouch for storage.
Pros
- Dial readout holds the reading for review after measuring
- Color coded scale shows safe, wearing and replacement ranges
- Leather pouch included for storage
- Lifetime warranty stated
Cons
- Not for ATV/UTV tires or super aggressive mud tires
- Max depth of 14/32 inch, where the bar gauges read to 1 inch
- No pocket clip stated
- Zinc build rather than stainless steel
88702 Smart Color Coded Tire Tread Depth Gauge
A stainless steel tread depth gauge that reads from 0 to 1 inch in 1/32 inch increments, with a color coded bar and a pocket clip.
Pros
- Stainless steel build
- Color coded bar with red, yellow and green ranges
- Pocket clip for carrying
- 1 year warranty stated
Cons
- Single gauge only, no spare
- No pouch stated
- Bar must be read in place, no dial hold
- No accuracy figure stated
88702 Smart Color Coded Tire Tread Depth Gauge 2
Two stainless steel tread depth gauges in one pack, each reading from 0 to 1 inch in 1/32 inch increments with a color coded bar and a pocket clip.
Pros
- Two gauges in the pack
- Stainless steel build
- Color coded bar with red, yellow and green ranges
- Pocket clip for carrying
Cons
- 90 day warranty only
- Title says 2 pieces while a quantity field reads 1
- No pouch stated
- Bar must be read in place, no dial hold
Newkita Tire Tread Depth Gauge, 2 Pack Brand
A pocket-sized pair of stainless steel tread depth gauges reading from 0 to 1 inch in 1/32 inch increments with a color coded bar.
Pros
- Two gauges in the pack
- Stainless steel build
- Color coded bar with red, yellow and green ranges
- Pocket-sized for carrying
Cons
- No warranty term stated
- No dimensions or weight stated
- Spec table lists the function as Clip Removal Tool
- No pocket clip stated
Tire Tread Depth Gauge,Tire Tread Gauge Color
A pair of plastic tread depth gauges, about 3.35 x 1.06 inch, with a color coded bar and a pocket clip.
Pros
- Two gauges in the pack
- Color coded bar with red, yellow and green ranges
- Pocket clip for carrying
- Small size, about 3.35 x 1.06 inch
Cons
- Plastic build rather than metal
- Warranty listed as 1 with no unit
- No dial readout for holding a reading
- No accuracy figure stated
Other tools worth a look
Dial Type Tire Tread Depth Gauge 88703 Professional forCheck price on Amazon
Tire Tread Depth GaugeCheck price on Amazon
88702 Smart Color Coded Tire Tread Depth GaugeCheck price on Amazon
CZC AUTO Digital Tire Pressure Gauge with Tread Depth GaugeCheck price on Amazon
Digital Tire Tread Depth GaugeCheck price on Amazon
Compared on paper
| Model | Shop Score | Type | Range | Scale | Color coded | Pocket clip | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JACO TreadPro | 9.7/10 | Dial | 14/32 inch | 1/32 inch | Yes | Not stated | Lifetime |
| GODESON 88702 | 9.6/10 | Bar | 0 to 1 inch | 1/32 inch | Yes | Yes | 1 year |
| GODESON 88702 2-Pack | 9.6/10 | Bar | 0 to 1 inch | 1/32 inch | Yes | Yes | 90 days |
| Newkita 2-Pack | 9.5/10 | Bar | 0 to 1 inch | 1/32 inch | Yes | Not stated | Not stated |
| Epkanty 2-Pack | 9.5/10 | Bar | 0 to 32/32 inch | 1/32 inch | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 24 October 2026. Where a listing contradicts itself, both figures are shown.
How the points were given
Each gauge is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, with the weights published on our How We Pick page. None states a safety certification, so all score zero on safety, and two give no clear warranty term.
| Product | Shop Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JACO TreadPro | 9.7 | 32 | 22 | 20 | n/a | 4 |
| GODESON 88702 | 9.6 | 29 | 21 | 19 | n/a | 2 |
| GODESON 88702 2-Pack | 9.6 | 29 | 21 | 21 | n/a | 1 |
| Newkita 2-Pack | 9.5 | 27 | 19 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
| Epkanty 2-Pack | 9.5 | 27 | 16 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Safety counts only for powered gear or where the listing states safety features; where it does not apply, the score is taken over the remaining 90 points.
What the listings tell you
We read five tread depth gauge listings. All five read in 1/32 inch increments, and all five use a color coded scale. Three are stainless steel, one is zinc and one is plastic. Three state a pocket clip, and three state a warranty term with a clear length.
Buying guide: best car tire tread depth gauge
Color coded bars
The bar gauges share the same three bands: red for 0 to 3/32, yellow for 3/32 to 6/32 and green for 6/32 to 32/32. The dial gauge uses the same three colors on its scale, without numbered bands stated.
Dial or bar
A dial gauge holds the reading on the dial for review after measuring, while a bar gauge is read in place at the groove. The dial here reads in 1/32 inch increments with 1/128 inch resolution, and the bar gauges read in 1/32 inch increments.
Range and scale
The bar gauges read from 0 to 1 inch. The dial gauge reads to a max depth of 14/32 inch. Every gauge here reads in 1/32 inch increments, so the choice is between the dial hold and the bar bands, not the step size.
Pack size and storage
Three listings are pairs and two are single gauges. A pair leaves a spare in the glove box, while a single gauge with a pocket clip rides along on the job. The dial gauge comes with a leather pouch, and three bar gauges state a pocket clip.
Warranty terms
Three listings state a warranty term with a clear length: 90 days, 1 year and a lifetime term. One listing states no warranty, and one lists a warranty of 1 with no unit, which is not a clear term. Read the term before buying, since it varies this much across similar gauges.
Garage Fit Check
- Space: every gauge here is pocket-sized or smaller, so each one fits a pocket, a glove box or a small drawer.
- Power: no gauge here needs a battery; the GODESON listings state Battery Free, and the rest read from a color bar or a dial.
- Storage: the dial gauge comes with a leather pouch, and three bar gauges state a pocket clip.
- Before the first job: check the scale reads in 1/32 inch increments and the color bands match the ranges above.
- Before the first job: check the vehicle fit, since the dial gauge listing excludes ATV/UTV tires and super aggressive mud tires.
Use rated jack stands on solid ground, wear eye protection with power and air tools, keep fuel-burning equipment out of a closed garage, and follow the manual for every tool. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: garage tools
How to gauge tire tread depth
Place the flat edge of the gauge across the tread, press the bar down to the bottom of the groove, and read the depth on the bar. The Epkanty listing describes exactly this motion: flat edge on both sides of the tread, bar pressed to the groove bottom, then read.
How to read a tread depth gauge
Read the depth in 1/32 inch increments on the bar or the dial. On the color coded bars, red covers 0 to 3/32, yellow covers 3/32 to 6/32 and green covers 6/32 to 32/32.
How does a tire depth gauge work
The gauge sits on the tread and measures the groove depth against its scale: a color coded bar on the bar gauges, a dial on the dial gauge.
What is a tire depth gauge
A small gauge that measures tire tread depth in 1/32 inch increments, so a driver can tell how much tread is left without guessing. The gauges here suit trucks, motorcycles, automobiles and passenger vehicles, per the GODESON listings.
Where to buy a tread depth gauge
Through the product links on this page, which lead to the listings compared here. Pick by scale, color coding and warranty term, not by looks alone.
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