How do I measure wheel offset?

[Infidel Edition]

I have four 15" x 7" aluminum wheels 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern that I was going to use...
I'm have trouble uploading a pic from my phone.

I'm thinking about selling them and want to put the right info up.
...I got them as part of a package deal so I don't have all the info. they look like American Outlaw (from Google searches)

so how do I measure the offset?

[4.3LXJ]

Lay a straight edge on both of the inside beads and then measure to the inside of the hub

[NW99XJ]

Lay a straight edge on both of the inside beads and then measure to the inside of the hub

Exactly.....
Just like this:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h328/jbchill1/IMG_2497.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/jbchill1/media/IMG_2497.jpg.html)

[Infidel Edition]

Exactly.....
Just like this:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h328/jbchill1/IMG_2497.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/jbchill1/media/IMG_2497.jpg.html)

Back not front?
I had this pic:
4299

4300

Will measure when I get back...
But since it's 3.4" front and its 7", it should be like 3.5" / 4" rear.
Say 4"
Is that high / med / low...
Or would it be listed like that?

[XJ Wheeler]

Measuring on the back bead like josh showed is known as backspacing.

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

[NW99XJ]

So to give you some perspective.....
The pic I posted is measuring the backspacing of a stock Jeep Ravine Wheel.
Granted, those are 15x8, but still....just like most factory Jeep wheels,they have a backspacing of 5.5"
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7678/img1315uu.jpg

The ones I had before that, the Ecco 5's, also have 5.5" of backspacing but are a 15x7 wheel.
http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/2227/img1314q.jpg

There is a difference between "offset" and "backspacing"
Offset is the distance between wheel mounting surface where bolted to hub of drum and center-line of rim.
Backspacing is the distance between wheel mounting surface where bolted to hub of drum and the edge of the wheel itself.

Here is a 15x8 wheel (and tire) with a 3.75" back spacing....
Obviously it has a much "deeper" appearance than the others.
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h328/jbchill1/IMG405.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/jbchill1/media/IMG405.jpg.html)

The wheels you've shown, appear to have a lot of backspacing, if I were to guess, I'd say it would be around 5".....or nearly what most stock Jeep wheels offer.

Just for reference.... here's a couple of threads I refer to frequently when people have questions about stock wheels on their Jeeps... not completely applicable in YOUR case, as those look like aftermarket rims, but I figured I'd post it up none the less....

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/stock-tj-specifications-452871/#post4121478

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/stock-tj-specifications-452871/#post4131908