Wheel offset?

Hey guys, I'm 100% sure I'm gonna sound like a complete idiot right now, and don't kick me out of the forums because of it, but.... What is the wheel offset I keep hearing so much about?

A "standard" wheel theoretically has the hub mounting surface (which bolts to the axle wheel mounting flange) perfectly centered within the wheel rim circumference. If the hub surface is moved outward or inward relative to the center of the wheel, that is called "offset." When the hub flange surface is moved outward, that is "positive offeset." Conversely, when the hub flange is moved inward, that is "negative offset." Many wrong-wheel-drive cars have wheels with a lot of positive offset.

The only "dumb question" is the one that is never asked when it should have been, so if you're not certain, always ask or research. You would only appear really "dumb" if you just presumed.

Thanks!... that makes perfect sense to me.

I've never had a real need to know what the offset was, well not yet at least, but I still like to know what people are talking about as in the thread about wheel clearance here in the Caprice forums.