Tyre Cost per Kilometre Calculator
The running cost of tyres per kilometre and per year from the price of a set, fitting and balancing, and how many kilometres they last — so a dearer tyre that lasts longer can be compared with a cheaper one.
Divide the total cost of a set — tyres, fitting, balancing and disposal — by the distance it lasts.
How the tyre cost per kilometre calculator works
Divide the total cost of a set — tyres, fitting, balancing and disposal — by the distance it lasts. A 200-a-corner tyre lasting 50,000 km costs less per kilometre than a 120 tyre that lasts 25,000. Multiply by your annual distance for the yearly figure, and the calculator also shows how many months a set lasts you.
Formula: cost per km = (tyre price × tyres + fitting) ÷ life in km
Worked examples
| Inputs | Cost per kilometre | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Four tyres at 200, 80 fitting, 50,000 km | 0.0176 | 0.0176 per km — 264 a year |
| Budget tyres at 110 lasting 25,000 km | 0.02 | 0.02 per km |
| Performance tyres at 350 lasting 20,000 km | 0.075 | 0.075 per km |
FAQFrequently asked questions
How long should tyres last?
Typically 30,000–60,000 km for ordinary car tyres; performance tyres can wear out in 15,000 and touring tyres reach 80,000. Driving style, alignment, inflation and rotation make the difference.
Is a premium tyre worth it?
Often, on a per-kilometre basis: the treadwear rating and warranty mileage let you compare. And the cost gap between a good and a poor tyre in wet braking distance is not something the calculator can price.
What else should I add to the set cost?
Alignment if the shop recommends it, tyre-pressure sensors on some cars, and any road-hazard warranty. Add them to the fitting field.
Does it matter that fronts wear faster?
On a front-wheel-drive car the fronts can wear twice as fast. Rotating every 10,000 km evens it out and lets you replace all four together; otherwise run the calculator per axle.
Where these figures come from
- ISO 4000 / ETRTO — tyre designation and dimensions — the width / aspect ratio / rim marking this page decodes
- UK Vehicle Certification Agency — the official UK fuel and emissions data
Last checked: September 2026. Tyre dimensions follow the ISO metric marking standard; engine formulas are the standard textbook forms.