If you're wondering, "What is wheel offset?" or "What is wheel backspacing?" you're not alone. These are common questions, and the truth is, both offset and backspacing measure how your wheels fit your vehicle, but in slightly different ways.

Wheel offset is the distance from the mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel. Backspacing, on the other hand, measures the distance from the mounting surface to the wheel’s back lip.

Both are crucial because they don’t just determine if your wheels fit your vehicle—they affect your ride’s overall look. Want a more aggressive stance with the wheels sitting outside the fenders? You’ll need negative offset wheels, which have less backspace. Prefer a clean, tucked-in look? Positive offset wheels, with more backspace, will be the way to go.

Regardless of the style you're after, the right offset and backspacing ensure a perfect fit for your wheels.

Wheel Offset Explained
Wheel offset affects both the fit and style of your wheels, ensuring they don’t interfere with fenders, brakes, or suspension components. Offset is measured in millimeters (mm) and can be positive, zero, or negative:

Positive Offset: The mounting surface is closer to the front (outer) side of the wheel.
Zero Offset: The mounting surface is exactly at the wheel’s centerline.
Negative Offset: The mounting surface is closer to the back (inner) side of the wheel.

Most modern vehicles come with positive offset wheels, while rear-wheel-drive and off-road vehicles may feature zero or negative offset wheels (often referred to as "deep dish" rims). If you’re unsure of your wheel’s offset, it's usually stamped on the back of the rim. When replacing wheels, it's important to choose the correct offset for both performance and aesthetics.

Wheel Backspacing Explained
Backspacing is an older method of measurement, determining the distance from the mounting surface to the back edge of the wheel. While offset is measured in millimeters, backspacing is measured in inches.

Backspacing ensures there’s enough clearance for suspension, brakes, and steering components. Positive offset increases backspace, while negative offset reduces it.

How to Measure Wheel Backspacing
To measure backspacing:
Lay the wheel facedown on a soft surface.
Place a flat object (like a board) across the wheel.
Measure the distance from the mounting surface to the bottom of the object.
This gives you the backspacing measurement.