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How to Choose the Right Offset (ET) for Your Forged Wheels?

Problem – Offset is confusing for most buyers

If you’re planning to order custom forged wheels, you’ve probably come across the term “Offset” — often written as ET.
And if you’re unsure what it really means, you’re not alone.

I’ve worked with dozens of professional tuners, and even some experienced buyers still mix up positive offset, negative offset, and zero offset. But getting this detail wrong can lead to:

  • Wheels sticking out past the fenders
  • Interference with brakes or suspension
  • Unstable handling or rubbing issues

So let me help you make sense of it.


Agitation – A wrong offset can ruin the whole build

One of our customers once ordered a beautifully finished forged wheel set — but with an offset that was 30mm too low. The result?
The wheels poked out, rubbed against the fenders on every turn, and the shop had to redo the whole build — wasting time, money, and reputation.

The truth is, offset affects how deep the wheel sits inside the wheel arch. Too much or too little, and you risk ruining both the look and the function.


Solution – Here’s how to choose the correct offset (ET)

✅ What is Offset (ET)?

Offset is the distance (in millimeters) between the wheel’s mounting surface and its centerline.

  • Positive Offset (e.g. ET +35):
    Mounting surface is toward the front of the wheel → wheel sits deeper into the car.
    • Common in FWD cars, OEM fitment.
  • Negative Offset (e.g. ET -10):
    Mounting surface is behind the centerline → wheel sticks out more.
    • Used for widebody, off-road, deep dish look.
  • Zero Offset (ET 0):
    Mounting hub is exactly at the wheel’s centerline.

✅ What Factors Affect Offset Choice?

  • Vehicle model & brake system
  • Desired look (flush, poke, tucked)
  • Suspension setup (stock vs aftermarket coilovers or air ride)
  • Fender clearance
  • Tire width and wheel width

✅ My Recommendation:

When ordering forged wheels from us, I always recommend sending:

  • Your car’s exact model and year
  • Photos (side view + close-up of wheel area)
  • Existing wheel + tire specs (e.g. 20×10 ET40 with 275/30R20)

I’ll run a fitment analysis and suggest safe yet aggressive ET values based on your goals.

✅ Forged Wheels = Freedom of Offset

Unlike cast wheels, forged wheels allow customized offset with millimeter precision. Whether you need ET+55 for an OEM look, or ET-40 for an extreme stance, it can be machined into the wheel center exactly as needed.


Conclusion – Let’s get your ET dialed in

Choosing the right offset isn’t just a technical detail — it’s the foundation of your wheel setup.
At FLEXIFORGED, I’ll personally help you calculate and confirm the correct ET for your forged wheels, ensuring:

  • No rubbing
  • No regrets
  • Just the perfect stance and performance

Jackie Wei

Hi, I'm the author of this post, and I have been in this field for more than 10 years. If you want to customize forged wheels or forged wheels related product, feel free to ask me any questions.

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