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Tires made in 2026: how old, still safe?

A DOT date code ending in 26 was manufactured in 2026. The first two digits are the week. 2626 means week 26 of 2026. A mid-year tire from 2026 is fresh: No age concern

Week 1 of 2026

Made in week 1 of 2026

Dec 29, 2025 to Jan 4, 2026 (approx.)

9 months · Fresh

No age concern

Open 0126 in the decoder

Week 26 of 2026

Made in week 26 of 2026

Jun 22 to Jun 28, 2026 (approx.)

3 months · Fresh

No age concern

Open 2626 in the decoder

General guidance, not a safety inspection. Follow the tire and vehicle maker's recommendation.

Check a 2026 DOT code

Enter the last 4 digits of the DOT code or the full code.

Read as

Made in week 26 of 2026

Jun 22 to Jun 28, 2026 (approx.)

Fresh

3 months

No age concern

General guidance, not a safety inspection. Follow the tire and vehicle maker's recommendation.

Format
Date code only

Segments

2626
  • Date

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Where the DOT code sits on a tireA tire sidewall with the DOT code molded on the outer side. The date is the last four digits.DOTDOT 4B H7 JK2319Week 23, then year 2019The full code is often on one sidewall only.Check the other side if the date is missing.
The letters DOT certify the tire. They are not part of the identification number. The last four digits are the week and the year. Tires made before 2000 use three digits, and a triangle means the 1990s.

Week ranges use ISO weeks, Monday through Sunday, and are approximate. Tire makers count weeks on their own calendars. The regulation describes a Sunday-to-Saturday week. Plant names come from the free NHTSA vPIC list. 49 CFR 574.5

Plant data from NHTSA, updated October 13, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How old is a tire made in 2026?

A tire from week 26 of 2026 is 3 months old as of 2026-10-13. A tire from week 1 is 9 months. The exact age depends on the week in the DOT code.

Is a 2026 tire too old?

A mid-year 2026 tire is in the “Fresh” range: No age concern. General guidance, not a safety inspection. Follow the tire and vehicle maker's recommendation.

What DOT code means 2026?

The last two digits are the year. A code ending in 26, such as 2626, was made in week 26 of 2026. The first two digits are the week, from 01 to 53.

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