A method, computer system, and computer program product for determining head wear of magnetic tape head elements of tape drives during operation. The method may include receiving a first calibration parameter for a first tape head element at a first time. Calibration parameter for the first tape head element may be compared with a reference parameter. Determination may be made whether to remove the first tape head element from service or generate a warning, based on a result of the comparison. Method may include generating the first calibration parameter by calculating midpoint bias voltage for the first tape head element as a function of bias current and head resistance. The first calibration parameter for the first tape head element may be bias current parameter or bias resistance parameter. The first calibration parameter for the first tape head element may be less than, equal to, or greater than the reference parameter.