What is Wheel Offset (ET)?

Q: What does ET mean in wheel offset?

ET stands for Einpresstiefe, a German word meaning press depth. It is the distance in millimeters from the wheel's mounting face to its centerline. A positive ET number means the mounting face is closer to the outer face of the wheel.

Q: What is a good wheel offset?

A good wheel offset is one within plus or minus 10mm of your vehicle's stock ET. Front-wheel-drive cars typically use ET35 to ET50. Rear-wheel-drive cars use ET20 to ET40. Using an offset far from stock can cause tire rubbing, handling issues, and bearing wear.

The complete definition of wheel offset what ET means, how it is measured, and how every millimeter affects your wheel fitment.

Written by Jake Harmon · ASE-Certified Mechanic · Updated July 2026

What does ET mean in wheel offset?

ET stands for Einpresstiefe a German word meaning press depth. It is the distance in millimeters from the wheel's mounting face to its centerline. A positive ET value means the mounting face is positioned ahead of the centerline, toward the outer face of the wheel.

The term ET is the global standard used by every major wheel manufacturer. It is stamped directly onto the wheel usually on the back barrel near the valve hole and appears as a number preceded by "ET," such as ET35, ET45, or ET−12. The number represents millimeters, not inches.

How is wheel offset measured on a wheel?

Wheel offset is measured in millimeters from the wheel's mounting face the flat surface that contacts the hub to the exact centerline of the wheel's width. The centerline is at half the total wheel width. An 8-inch wide wheel has its centerline at 101.6mm from either edge.

To measure ET manually: divide the total wheel width in mm by 2 to find the centerline. Then measure the distance from the mounting face to that centerline. If the mounting face is 35mm in front of the centerline, the offset is ET35. If it is 12mm behind the centerline, the offset is ET−12.

Mounting Face

The flat surface on the back of the wheel that bolts to the hub. This is the reference point for all ET measurements.

Centerline

The exact midpoint of the wheel's total width. For a 7.5-inch wheel: 7.5 × 25.4 ÷ 2 = 95.25mm from either edge.

What is the difference between positive and negative wheel offset?

Positive ET means the mounting face is in front of the centerline the wheel sits inward toward the suspension. Negative ET means the mounting face is behind the centerline the wheel extends outward toward the fender. Zero ET means the mounting face is exactly at the centerline.

Offset Type	ET Value	Wheel Position	Common Use
High Positive	ET45 – ET55	Deep inward (tucked)	FWD cars, SUVs
Moderate Positive	ET25 – ET44	Slightly inward	RWD sports cars
Zero Offset	ET0	Flush centerline	Trucks, classic builds
Negative	ET−1 – ET−25	Outward poke	Off-road, stance builds
Deep Negative	ET−25 and below	Aggressive poke	Show cars, wide-body

What is zero offset (ET0)?

Zero offset (ET0) means the wheel's mounting face is positioned exactly at the centerline of the wheel width. The wheel sits neither inward nor outward relative to the hub. ET0 is common on older American trucks, classic muscle cars, and some off-road builds where a neutral stance is required.

ET0 is not a neutral or "safe" offset for modern vehicles it is simply a specific measurement. A car designed for ET45 wheels will experience 45mm of extra poke if ET0 wheels are fitted. This will almost always cause fender contact on factory-clearance vehicles without modification.

Where is wheel offset stamped on a wheel?

Wheel offset is stamped on the back barrel of most aftermarket wheels near the valve hole or on the inner spoke face. It appears as "ET" followed by a number, such as ET35 or ET48. OEM factory wheels may list offset in the owner's manual, on a sticker in the door jamb, or on a label on the wheel itself.

If no stamp is visible, you can measure the offset manually using a straight edge and a ruler. Place the straight edge across the back of the wheel, measure the distance from the straight edge to the mounting face, then subtract half the wheel width. The result in millimeters is your ET value.

What is the stock wheel offset for my car?

Stock wheel offset varies by vehicle. Most front-wheel-drive cars use ET35 to ET50. Rear-wheel-drive sports cars use ET20 to ET40. SUVs and crossovers use ET40 to ET55. Pickup trucks use ET18 to ET30. Check your owner's manual, the wheel itself, or a fitment database for your specific vehicle's ET.

The most reliable way to find stock ET is to look at the wheel currently on your vehicle. The ET is usually stamped on the inner barrel. Alternatively, search your vehicle's year, make, and model in an aftermarket wheel fitment database. Always use stock ET as your starting reference before choosing aftermarket wheels.

How does wheel offset affect tire fitment?

Wheel offset directly controls how far the tire sits inside or outside the wheel arch. A lower ET moves the tire outward increasing the risk of fender contact. A higher ET moves the tire inward reducing fender clearance but creating more space on the outer side of the arch.

Every 1mm change in ET moves the tire 1mm inward or outward. A change from ET45 to ET35 moves the outer face of the wheel 10mm further out. On a vehicle with 12mm of fender clearance, this would leave only 2mm not enough for safe driving. Use our wheel offset calculator to see the exact poke or tuck for any ET change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ET mean in wheel offset?

ET stands for Einpresstiefe a German word meaning press depth. It is the distance in millimeters from the wheel's mounting face to its centerline. A positive ET number means the mounting face is closer to the outer face of the wheel.

Where is wheel offset stamped on a wheel?

Wheel offset is stamped on the back barrel of most aftermarket wheels, near the valve hole or on a spoke. It appears as ET followed by a number for example ET35 or ET45. Factory OEM wheels may list offset in the owner's manual or on a door-jamb sticker.

What is a good wheel offset?

A good wheel offset is within ±10mm of your stock ET. Front-wheel-drive cars typically use ET35 to ET50. Rear-wheel-drive cars use ET20 to ET40. Using an offset far from stock causes tire rubbing, handling changes, and premature bearing wear.

Does wheel offset affect handling?

Yes. Wheel offset changes the scrub radius, which affects steering feel and stability. A lower ET increases scrub radius, making steering heavier. A higher ET reduces it, giving lighter steering. Changes beyond ±15mm from stock ET alter handling noticeably on most vehicles.