The ASTM E3246-22 standard specifies a test method for the hardness of metal materials at different depths of indentation. This method evaluates the surface and subsurface hardness characteristics of materials by applying different depths of indentation to the metal surface. This standard is suitable for applications that require a detailed understanding of the hardness of materials layers, such as coatings, heat treatment or composite performance evaluation. The standard specifies test procedures, equipment requirements and data analytics methods to help users obtain reliable hardness data to judge the compressive performance, abrasion resistance and Miscellaneous Mechanical Properties of materials.