Where to Find the Offset Stamped on a Wheel
Direct answer
Wheel offset is usually stamped or cast on the back of a spoke, on the rear mounting face, or near the hub area of the wheel. It is most often shown as an ET number, such as ET45, where ET stands for the German term Einpresstiefe, meaning insertion depth. Some alloy wheels also display the offset as part of a larger code on the rim flange or around the center bore.
Where to look on the wheel
The offset may be stamped in several places. The most common locations are on the inside of a spoke, on the mounting pad where the wheel meets the hub, or along the inner rim barrel. On many factory alloy wheels, the marking is visible only after removing the wheel from the vehicle. Steel wheels are less likely to show a clear ET value, and some use a different code that is not identified as offset.
How to recognize the offset number
The offset marking is normally a two- or three-digit number preceded by ET, such as ET35 or ET42. A positive offset is indicated by a plain ET number without a plus sign in most stampings. A negative offset may appear as ET-25 or ET25 with a minus sign. The number represents the distance in millimeters between the wheel's centerline and its mounting surface. Do not confuse the ET stamp with the wheel size code, which often appears nearby as something like 8Jx18 and refers to width and diameter rather than offset.
When the marking is missing
Some wheels do not carry a visible ET stamp, particularly if the back of the wheel is heavily corroded, repainted, or covered in brake dust. In those cases, the offset may be recorded in the vehicle owner's manual, on a label in the spare wheel well, or in the manufacturer's fitment documentation. If the wheel has no readable marking, the offset can be measured directly, but that requires removing the tire and taking precise measurements from the wheel's centerline to the mounting surface.
Variant-dependent details
The exact location of the ET stamp varies by wheel maker and model. For example, certain original equipment wheels from Audi, BMW, Ford, Toyota and Volkswagen place the ET number prominently on the rear spoke area, while aftermarket brands may put it on the inner barrel. A wheel from one model year or trim package may have a different offset than a similar-looking wheel from another configuration, so the stamped value on the specific wheel should be checked rather than assumed from catalogue information.
Practical next step
To find the offset, remove one wheel and examine the inner side near the hub and spokes. Clean the area gently if dirt obscures the markings. Look first for an ET number, then compare it with the fitment data for the vehicle configuration. If no stamping is present or the value is illegible, treat the offset as uncertain and verify it against written documentation or a physical measurement before using the wheel.