Front brakes are bigger than rear brakes, wear faster, and are replaced more often - all because of one physics fact. Understanding why the front does most of the work explains a lot about brake maintenance. Here is the reason.
Weight shifts forward when you brake
When you brake, the car's momentum throws weight forward onto the front wheels - the nose dips, called brake dive. That extra weight presses the front tires harder into the road, giving them more grip to brake with. So the front brakes can and do provide the majority of stopping force - roughly 60-70%.
Bigger brakes up front
Because they do more work and make more heat, front brakes are built larger - bigger rotors and pads, often more caliper pistons; see do heavier cars need bigger brakes. Many cars even pair front discs with cheaper rear drums since the rear does so little braking; see do all cars have rear disc.
Front pads wear faster
Doing most of the work, front pads wear out noticeably faster than rears - it is normal to replace fronts once or even twice for every rear set; see why rear pads last longer and front vs rear brake pads. If your rears are worn, your fronts are usually more worn.
Why balance still matters
Even though the front dominates, the rear brakes are essential for stability and shorter stops - the proportioning valve balances them. Grip from the tires ultimately limits stopping - see tire size and braking. Keep all four corners healthy with quality pads and fresh hardware.