Offset is the perpendicular distance between the axes of hypoid gears or offset face gears.
In the diagram to the right, (a) and (b) are referred to as having an offset below center, while those in (c) and (d) have an offset above center. In determining the direction of offset, it is customary to look at the gear with the pinion at the right. For below center offset the pinion has a left hand spiral, and for above center offset the pinion has a right hand spiral.
Read more about this topic: List Of Gear Nomenclature