WHAT IS WHEEL OFFSET?

First time buying a set of wheels? Or you are just wondering what all the numbers on the back of a wheel mean? You’re in the right place. Let’s cover what all of the numbers on wheels mean as well as the meaning of wheel offset and backspacing.

Offset is the distance between the hub mounting surface and the wheel’s centerline. But what does that mean to you? Let’s look at how it affects your wheel fitment and the overall look of your truck, Jeep or SUV.

WHAT DOES POSITIVE OFFSET MEAN?

If the back pad is in front of the wheel’s centerline, towards the wheel’s face, the offset is positive. So a wheel with the back pad 20mm in front of the centerline of the wheel, the offset becomes +20.

WHAT DOES NEGATIVE OFFSET MEAN?

Similar to measuring positive, a negative offset is how far behind the wheel’s centerline the back pad sits. If the back pad is 12mm behind the centerline, the offset is -12. Too much negative offset can pose risks, such as improper handling and more stress on the suspension.

DOES OFFSET CHANGE THE LOOK OF A WHEEL?

Offset is a crucial part of how a wheel looks. Wheels with a low or negative offset often make the wheel’s surface more concave and, depending on how aggressive the wheel is, create a deep lip. Offset does not only affect how the wheel will fit on a vehicle but plays a major part in how the wheel is designed as well.

 

WHAT IS BACKSPACING?

Backspacing is somehow similar to offset. Instead of measuring from the centerline of the wheel, backspacing is the distance between the hub mounting surface and the backside of the wheel.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE OFFSET OF A WHEEL?

When you’re searching for a new set of wheels, you can find offset as the last number in the wheel sizing description. Looking at the Black Rock Victory specifications, we can define exactly what each means. The “20” is the diameter of the wheel in inches. So this wheel is 20 inches tall.

The second number, “10”, is the wheel width or side of the wheel in inches. This wheel is 10 inches wide.

Finally, the last number, “-12” is the offset. The hub mounting surface of this wheel is 12mm behind the centerline, which is why we see it has a large lip and concave face.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT WHEELS FIT MY TRUCK?

We hope this article made it easier to understand what wheel offset is. Before purchasing new wheels, it is important to first correctly answer the question “What is the wheel offset that would be perfect for my truck?” Be sure to get the offset right as the wrong offset can lower your vehicle’s stability. And getting it right can be tricky without the help of a professional.