The effects of contact pressure on the sliding wear behavior of mild steel in a pin-on-disc type apparatus were investigated. Sliding wear tests were conducted with various combinations of the load and apparent area of contact. The wear behavior of mild steel as a function of sliding speed was independent of contact pressure. However, the wear rate at different sliding speeds was influenced by the load regardless of the apparent area of contact. This was attributed to the fact that there may be no difference in the real area of contact for any combination of the load and apparent area of contact.