Every wheel is defined by three numbers — offset, bolt pattern, and size — and getting any one of them wrong is the most common reason a wheel that looked perfect online doesn’t actually fit. None of the three are complicated once you know what they mean.

Here’s a plain-language breakdown of each one, and why it matters.

Bolt Pattern and Size

Bolt pattern describes the number of lug holes and the diameter of the circle they sit on — for example, 5×114.3 means five lugs spaced around a 114.3mm circle. It has to match your hub exactly; there’s no such thing as “close enough” here. Size covers diameter and width, and is more flexible as long as the resulting tire still clears the fender and suspension.

Offset is the trickiest of the three: it’s the distance between the wheel’s mounting surface and its centerline, measured in millimeters. A higher offset tucks the wheel further into the fender, while a lower offset pushes it further out.

• High offset: wheel sits further inward, common on factory setups.
• Low offset: wheel sits further outward, giving a wider stance.
• Zero offset: the mounting surface sits exactly on the wheel’s centerline.

When in doubt, match your factory specs as a starting point, and always double-check a new wheel’s listed offset and bolt pattern against your vehicle before ordering.