Abstract: A gear checker apparatus has a master gear with an outer periphery on which is spaced a plurality of complements of full face width teeth. A first complement of less than full face width teeth extends about the periphery from one of the complements of full face width teeth to the opposite side of the gear. A second complement of less that full face width teeth extends from one of the complements of full face width teeth in a direction opposite the first complement of less than full face width teeth. This formed master gear permits a method of checking gear teeth on a production gear wherein the production gear teeth will mesh fully with the full face width complements and one portion of the production tooth will mesh with one of the less than full face width complements for portion of a rotation of the master gear and another portion of the production gear teeth will mesh with the less than full face width complement for a portion of a rotation of the master gear.