WHEEL OFFSET
CALCULATOR
Will they fit? Compare wheel width, offset, and tire size between your current setup and a new one. See exactly how much your new wheels will poke, tuck, and clear the suspension.
Current Setup
Tire fields are optional — used for diameter & speedo delta.
New Setup
Tire fields are optional — used for diameter & speedo delta.
Your new setup pokes 33 mm further out and gains 7 mm of strut clearance — check fender clearance; you may need a small pull or flares. Overall tire diameter changes -1.7%, so your speedometer will read about high by that amount.
Shop aftermarket wheels, tires by size, or off-road builds matched to your specs.
Understanding Wheel Offset
Learn more: Wheel Offset Explained →
Wheel offset is the distance in millimeters between a wheel's mounting face — the flat surface that bolts to the hub — and the true centerline of the wheel. It's stamped on every rim, usually as ET35, ET0, or ET-12 (ET is short for the German Einpresstiefe). That single number decides how far inboard or outboard your wheel sits relative to the fender.
Positive, Negative, and Zero Offset
A positive offset means the mounting face sits outboard of the wheel's centerline, tucking the wheel toward the suspension for a factory-style fitment. A negative offset pushes the mounting face inboard of centerline, throwing the wheel outward past the fender for an aggressive, "poke" look. Zero offset puts the mounting face exactly on the centerline — common on classic muscle and some off-road applications.
Offset vs Backspacing
Offset and backspacing describe the same geometry from different reference points. Backspacing is measured in inches from the mounting face to the inner lip of the wheel and is more common in truck and off-road circles. The math is simple: backspacing (in) = (wheel width / 2) + (offset / 25.4). A wider wheel with the same offset will always have more backspacing, which is why swapping to a wider rim without adjusting offset almost always changes clearance on both sides.
How Offset Changes Affect Poke and Clearance
Every 1 mm of offset change moves the wheel exactly 1 mm — outward if offset goes down, inward if offset goes up. Widening the wheel splits the extra half-inches to both edges when offset is held constant. The calculator above does this math for you, but the rule of thumb is: watch your strut clearance when new wheels sit further inboard, and watch fender clearance when they poke further out.
Safe Ranges
Most vehicles tolerate an offset swing of about ±5 to ±10 mm without any modifications. Bigger changes usually need spacers, fender rolling, a small pull, or a suspension lift to work cleanly. Load-rated wheels and correct hub-centric fit still matter — offset alone doesn't guarantee a safe install. When in doubt, run your numbers through the calculator, then let our fitment desk verify them against your exact year, make, and model before you order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wheel offset?
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Wheel offset is the distance in millimeters between a wheel's mounting face (where it bolts to the hub) and its true centerline. Positive offset pushes the wheel inward toward the suspension for a factory look; negative offset pushes it outward past the fender for an aggressive stance; zero offset means the mounting face sits exactly on the centerline.
Will wheels with a different offset fit my car?
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It depends on how far the new offset moves the wheel inboard (toward struts, control arms, and brake calipers) or outboard (toward the fender). Small changes of 5–10 mm are usually safe on most vehicles; larger swings can cause rubbing, hurt steering geometry, or require fender work. Use the calculator above to see the exact inner and outer shift before you buy.
What's the difference between wheel offset and backspacing?
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Offset is measured in millimeters from the centerline of the wheel to the mounting face. Backspacing is measured in inches from the mounting face to the inner lip of the wheel. They describe the same geometry from different reference points — backspacing = (wheel width / 2) + (offset / 25.4). A wider wheel with the same offset will have more backspacing.
How much poke is too much?
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Poke is the amount the tire sits outside the fender. Track-legal poke varies by state, but most builders keep tires tucked or within a few millimeters of the fender line to avoid tickets, water spray, and tire wear. Anything past about 15–20 mm of poke usually needs fender flares, a mild stretch, or a pull to stay road-legal and rub-free.
Does changing offset affect suspension or bearings?
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Yes. Moving the wheel outboard (lower or negative offset) increases the load moment on wheel bearings, ball joints, and steering components. Small changes are typically fine, but large offset swaps — especially with wider tires — accelerate wear and can change steering feel. When in doubt, stay within the manufacturer's recommended offset range or ask our fitment desk.