High entropy alloys (HEAs) show promise as materials for structural applications, even at elevated temperatures. However, their wear behaviour over a wide range of temperatures has not been extensively studied. CoCrFeMnNi and AlxCoCrFeNi HEAs were subjected to pin-on-disc dry sliding wear at temperatures between 25 °C and 900 °C against an alumina ball, and the tribological performance benchmarked against AISI 304 and Inconel 718. A detailed characterisation of the wear tracks using electron microscopy and surface profilometry revealed a transition in wear mechanism from abrasive wear at room-temperature to oxidative and delamination wear above 600 °C. The wear performance of the HEAs, AlCoCrFeNi in particular, is substantially enhanced with increasing temperature, surpassing that of Inconel 718 at 900 °C. The enhanced wear performance of the HEAs above 600 °C is attributed to the formation of a compact oxide scale in the contact region, and relative subsurface strengthening in the form of a fine-grained recrystallised structure containing precipitation hardening phases. •The wear behaviour of various high entropy alloys up to 900 °C is analysed.•Wear rates of high entropy alloys decreases with increasing temperature.•High wear resistance of AlCoCrFeNi due to alumina scale and σ-phase precipitation.