Wheel Offset and Backspacing Explained: How Far Can You Go?
By Wheel Ranger editorial · Published · Updated
Offset is the distance in millimetres from the wheel's mounting face to its centreline. Positive offset (most cars and trucks from the factory) pulls the wheel inward; negative pushes it out. Changing offset by more than about 10–15 mm from stock risks fender or suspension contact and extra load on wheel bearings. The catalog lists offset on every wheel, so compare it against your stock wheel before ordering.
Offset vs. backspacing
Backspacing is the older measurement: the distance from the mounting face to the inner lip, in inches. The two describe the same position. Backspacing = (wheel width + 1) ÷ 2 + (offset ÷ 25.4). A 9-inch-wide wheel with +24 mm offset has 5.9 inches of backspacing. Most fitment guides now quote offset, which is what WheelXL lists.
What the catalog's offsets mean
| Offset | Effect | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| +24 mm (e.g. Torq Thrust 17x9) | Mild; near stock on many cars | Street cars, muscle cars |
| 0 mm | Centred; slight poke on a stock truck | Lifted or levelled trucks |
| -43 to -44 mm (Baja, Fuel off-road) | Deep dish, wheel sits well outside the hub | Lifted trucks with flares or trimmed fenders |
Details & specs
| Brand | American Racing |
| Product type | Auto Rims & Wheels |
| Condition | new |
| Diameter | 17" |
| Width | 9" |
| Offset | 24 mm |
| Bolt pattern | 5x114.3 |
| MPN | AR105M7965A |
| Sold by | WheelXL |
| Feed price | $298.00 USD |
| Availability (feed) | In stock |
| Captured | 2026-08-22 08:31 UTC |
Merchant feed data, not tested by us. Check current price →
Details & specs
| Brand | American Racing |
| Product type | Auto Rims & Wheels |
| Condition | new |
| Diameter | 17" |
| Width | 8" |
| Offset | 0 mm |
| Bolt pattern | 5x114.3 |
| MPN | AR105M7865B |
| Sold by | WheelXL |
| Feed price | $285.00 USD |
| Availability (feed) | In stock |
| Captured | 2026-08-22 08:31 UTC |
Merchant feed data, not tested by us. Check current price →
Details & specs
| Brand | American Racing |
| Product type | Auto Rims & Wheels |
| Condition | new |
| Diameter | 15" |
| Width | 10" |
| Offset | -43 mm |
| Bolt pattern | 6x139.7 |
| MPN | AR1725183 |
| Sold by | WheelXL |
| Feed price | $275.00 USD |
| Availability (feed) | In stock |
| Captured | 2026-08-22 08:31 UTC |
Merchant feed data, not tested by us. Check current price →
Details & specs
| Brand | American Racing |
| Product type | Auto Rims & Wheels |
| Condition | new |
| Diameter | 15" |
| Width | 10" |
| Offset | -43 mm |
| Bolt pattern | 5x114.3 |
| MPN | AR1725165B |
| Sold by | WheelXL |
| Feed price | $229.00 USD |
| Availability (feed) | In stock |
| Captured | 2026-08-22 08:31 UTC |
Merchant feed data, not tested by us. Check current price →
Before you order
Confirm three things: bolt pattern matches exactly, centre bore is equal to or larger than your hub (use hub-centric rings if larger), and the new offset stays within a sensible range of stock for your tire width. Verify exact vehicle fitment with the retailer before ordering; we show catalog specs, not a fitment guarantee.
FAQ
Does negative offset hurt anything?
It increases the leverage on wheel bearings and ball joints and can cause rubbing at full lock. Modest changes are common; large changes need suspension work.
Can I use spacers to fix offset?
Hub-centric spacers work for small adjustments but add a failure point; many people prefer buying the right offset.
More guides
- How to Read a Tire Size (225/65R17 102T) and Pick the Right Type
- Wheel Fitment: Bolt Pattern, Offset and Width Explained
- Tire Load Index and Speed Rating Chart (and Why You Can't Go Lower)
- All-Season vs. Winter vs. Summer Tires: What to Run Where
Editorial conclusions are drawn from the WheelXL catalog data and the manufacturer documentation listed above; we do not claim to have used every product shown. Updated 2026-08-23. Corrections: contact us.