offs

Offs is not a single, universal term but a shorthand used in several fields to denote different concepts. In technical writing, offs most often stands for offsets—the numerical distances or positions relative to a base point. In manufacturing and related trades, offs can refer to offcuts, the leftover pieces produced during cutting or shaping processes. The meaning in any given document depends on context.

In computing and data processing, an offset specifies a location within a data block, memory region, or file. An address can be described as the base address plus an offset, and offsets are central to pointer arithmetic, data serialization, and binary interfaces. Offsets are typically measured in units such as bytes and can be signed or unsigned, depending on whether they represent forward or backward displacement from a base point.

In manufacturing, textiles, and related industries, offcuts or offs are the fragments of material that remain after cutting to size. These leftovers may be collected for recycling, repurposing, or secondary use, and their management influences material cost, waste reduction, and sustainability metrics. Offs can vary in size, shape, and quality, affecting whether they are reused internally or sold as scrap.

Other uses of the term are more specialized and rely on the surrounding documentation to clarify meaning. When encountering offs, checking the specific field's glossary or definitions is advisable. Related terms include offset, offcut, and scrap material.