What is Wheel Offset? (Quick & Easy Explanation)

By far and away, the MOST FREQUENT QUESTION we are asked here at KONIG is "What is Wheel Offset?". We find this really strange because OFFSET really is very simple to understand. Wheel Offset is the distance between a wheel's mounting pad, and the centerline of the wheel. Let's break this down together in a visual way so that's it's easy to understand!

Wheel Offset is an important thing to understand because it determines how a wheel will sit on a car in relation to the rest of the vehicle. We see wheels in a variety of sizes and offsets out there, the reason for this is because there are a lot of different cars out there to fit! Offset helps wheels of different sizes fit onto cars of different shapes and sizes. For more information on other terms like Backspacing, Load Rating, PCD, Bolt Pattern, etc... give us a Subscribe because we make tons of informative content like this every week.

00:18 - what is wheel offset?
00:34 - wheel width / centerline
00:41 - how to find the centerline
00:46 - fact about measuring wheel width
00:56 - mounting pad
01:14 - distance between mounting pad and centerline
01:31 - positive offset
01:40 - negative offset
01:57 - meaning of "ET"
02:13 - "ET"/Offset on a website
02:46 - from OE offset to aftermarket wheel offset

If you have more questions about Offset, we've done a bunch of videos on them, including these notable ones:

If you enjoyed this content, LEAVE a COMMENT below and let us know what you'd like to see next! We appreciate the support and feedback!

#offset #wheels

[ThomasTheTankEngine]

This is probably the best video to explain it. Not stupid long. Has visuals. 10 out of 10

[sarcastic_toast]

Finally, a video that is short and gets straight to the point! Appreciate the video!

[ramonjr-ca]

Had to watch this a second time to grasp the off set issue. Too bad you didn’t show a rim animation scene on the mustang showing the fitment on the car displaying differing off sets as stated. Thank you for this tutorial

[maroofr]

For those who are wondering why the shorter offset is moving the wheel further to the outside, imagine the center line of the wheel moving out to reduce the offset instead of the mounting pad moving inwards. The suspension components where the wheel mounts is always stationary therefore it cannot move. The only place for the wheel itself to move is outwards.

[GRiDLOCK_]

Genuis explanation for a dummy like me. My TANK 300 has a standard offset of +36. I have two options for my upgrade from 18" stock to 20" between 30+ & 40+ offsets. Your video has helped me to make my final decision, 30+ is what I'm going for to give my TANK 300 a Much Badass Look! Thank you very much!

[PeterGriffin]

Visuals are so helpful, paired with the Fitment industry’s video I ready to measure my wheels

[ebkjonny]

By far the most detailed/ easy to learn explination I’ve come across. Thank you. 🙏🏻

[balam]

After discussion about a 35mm offset, why didn’t you summarize what was taught with an example of a car with an existing 35mm offset ( like an Acura RSX or Honda) and then change that? It would have made this instructional video so much less confusing to many people.

Thank you for taking the time to put such a nice, short educational video together for car enthusiasts!

[pasiutrial]

People see ET as an issue cuz nobody really tells them the simplest thing about it- when does the wheel go out more, when you increase or decrease ET? You said that in the video but it took me 2 times to actually grasp it while the Mustang animation was shown.

[foobar]

Wait I’m confused. You showed a mustang with ET+55. Based on the clip with the ruler I would have thought going from ET+55 (further out) to a lower ET+35 would move that wheel inward and NOT outward like the animation.

[gnawbabygnaw]

I’m one of those easily confused types. I wondered if Backspace and Offset were different things. Sounds like they’re basically the same. Like do rims exist that in their specs or description they list Backspace And Offset?

[Spectxrr]

literally a GOAT for making such a simple yet understandable video

[elvispresley]

Thanks - HA - this ALWAYS confuses me. CHEERS from AUSTRALIA

[CooeeCharlie]

Sweet dude that was soo easy to comprehend! Illustrated diagrams with dimensions, is all us new-to-the-scene crew need to understand the technical specs. Keep up the good work.

[lweleven]

Thank you well explained 👍 I was thinking 55 would do the opposite so if I want the wheel more out, less the number 👍

[kevinanderson]

Fab explanation. Short and to the point.

[germanp]

We get confused because there’s not many videos where explain it well.
I knew what’s it was, but that last example made it clear on how mush negative offsets I need for my car

[kirksebts]

So if I want my truck tires to stick further outside the fender well, I would need a negative offset hub?🤔

[OMACARacing]

well said and explained... Thank you for this! :D

[traviscutler]

Finally!!!! Ugh, this has been a real challenge in terms of understanding the differences. Thanks.

However, I'm considering buying my buddy's 1969 Mercury Cougar (just the Windsor 351 automatic, none of the fancy trims I'm afraid....) I live in Vancouver, Canada where all the roads are extremely windy, fast, slick, steep, cliffs on all sides, but I also really like to go fast and so I've been considering a wider actual Tire but also a wider wheelbase (not front to back but side to side and finding the technical term for this so that I can look it up on YouTube or anywhere else for meaningful information has been extremely challenging).

Is there any kind of option to make a 1969 Cougar far grippier on a road, especially for a rear wheel drive muscle car in the rain? I assumed that widening the overall wheelbase (side to side) and then adding a wider actual wheel in the back and a slightly thinner wheel in the front would give you a better grip but ultimately still maintain control and handling BUT I make signs for a living, not racing vehicles and I don't want to ask a mechanic as I understand that they have a vested interest in whatever is sitting on their shelf LOL!!! (Obviously not all of them are like that, but until you know what you're talking about it's impossible to say)

Anyways, if there's any kind of shorthand terminology as unfortunately everything I look up always ends up pushing me towards the actual width of the "wheel" OR the front to back wheel base rather than the actual side to side axle width extension???

Sorry even just writing this sounds confusing and makes me feel like an

Please feel free to mock me for my lack of manliness! However, I can skateboard, snowboard and surf so you know blah blah blah blah blah.