Body Frame Size Measuring Tables
Topic: Medical Calculators and Charts
Ian C. Langtree - Content Writer/Editor for Disabled World
Published: 2022/12/12
Contents: Summary - Introduction - Main - Related
Synopsis: Charts and instructions for measuring and determining body frame size for men and women using the wrist, elbow, and finger methods. Body frame size is a measurement of the supportive structure of the human skeleton and is used to adjust for skeletal mass and size in measures of body composition and weight. Research shows body frame size is associated with body fat and fat-free mass. Your body frame size index can be considered as being small, medium, or large.
Introduction
Bone structure varies in size from person to person. In order to determine your optimal weight, researchers added frame size as a factor. Your body frame or bone structure can impact your ideal height to weight ratio and your total body mass index - as well as your clothing size. Human body frame sizes are categorized into three categories: small frame, medium frame and large frame.
Main Digest
There are three basic methods for determining body frame size:
Measuring Frame Size Using Wrist Method
Measuring the circumference of your wrist is the standard method of determining your body frame size. If you are female, your frame size will depend upon both your wrist measurement and height, as seen in the chart below.
To measure your wrist using a tape measure, relax one hand with the fingers gently outstretched. With your other hand, wrap a soft measuring tape around your wrist; don't pull it tight just measure at a comfortable tension and take note of the measurement.
| Wrist Size | Female Body Frame Size |
|---|---|
| Women Shorter Than 5' 2" (157.5 cm) | |
| Smaller than 5.5" (14 cm) |
Small |
| 5.5" to 5.75" (14 cm - 14.6 cm) |
Medium |
| Larger than 5.75" (14.6 cm) |
Large |
| Women 5'2" to 5' 5" (157.5 cm - 165 cm) | |
| Smaller than 6" (15.25 cm) |
Small |
| 6" to 6.25" (15.25 - 15.9 cm) |
Medium |
| Larger than 6.25" (15.9 cm) |
Large |
| Women Taller Than 5' 5" (165 cm) | |
| Smaller than 6.25" (15.9 cm) |
Small |
| 6.25" to 6.5" (15.9 - 16.5 cm) |
Medium |
| Larger than 6.5" (16.5 cm) |
Large |
As per the table below, for men, a wrist size of 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 inches indicates a small frame, while a measurement over 7 1/2 inches is typical of a larger bone structure.
| Males Taller Than 5' 5" (165 cm) | |
|---|---|
| Wrist Size | Male Body Frame Size |
| 5.5" to 6.5" (14 cm - 16.5 cm) |
Small |
| 6.5" to 7.5" (16.5 cm - 19 cm) |
Medium |
| Larger than 7.5" (19 cm) |
Large |
The Elbow Breadth Method
You can accurately calculate your body frame size by measuring the breadth of your elbow by following the instructions below.
- 1 - Extend your arm to be horizontal and parallel to the ground.
- 2 - Turn your hand, so your palm is uppermost.
- 3 - Bend your elbow, so your forearm is 90ยบ to the ground.
- 4 - Use your forefinger and thumb as a gauge to determine your elbow breadth (width) by measuring the gap between them with a ruler or tape measure.
Using the elbow breadth method, human body frame sizes are classified into three groups:
- Small Frame - If the measurement is less than the value for a certain height.
- Medium Frame - If the measurement ranges between the values for a certain height.
- Large Frame - If the measurement is greater than the value for a certain height.
Use the table below to calculate your body frame size using the elbow width method.
| Medium Frame MALE Elbow Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Height | Elbow Breadth |
| 5' 2" - 5' 3" (155 - 158 cm) |
2-1/2" - 2-7/8" (6.4 - 7.0 cm) |
| 5' 4" - 5' 7" (160 - 168 cm) |
2-5/8" - 2-7/8" (6.7 - 7.3 cm) |
| 5' 8" - 5' 11" (170 - 178 cm) |
2-3/4" - 2" (7.0 - 7.5 cm) |
| 6' 0" - 6' 3" (180 - 188 cm) |
2-3/4" - 3-1/8" (7.0 - 7.9 cm) |
| 6' 4" - 6' 7" (190 - 198 cm) |
2-7/8" - 3-1/4" (7.3 - 8.3 cm) |
| Medium Frame FEMALE Elbow Measurement | |
|---|---|
| Height | Elbow Breadth |
| 4' 10" - 4' 11" (146 - 148 cm) |
2-1/4" - 2-1/2" (5.7 - 6.4 cm) |
| 5' 0" - 5' 3" (150 - 158 cm) |
2-1/4" - 2-1/2" (5.7 - 6.4 cm) |
| 5' 4" - 5' 7" (160 - 168 cm) |
2-3/8" - 2-5/8" (6.0 - 6.7 cm) |
| 5' 8" - 5' 11" (170 - 178 cm) |
2-3/8" - 2-5/8" (6.0 - 6.7 cm) |
| 6' 0" - 6' 4" (180 - 190 cm) |
2-1/2" - 2-3/4" (6.3 - 7.0 cm) |
Measuring Your Wrist Using Your Fingers
This method is the least accurate way to determine body frame size. However, you can wrap your thumb and forefinger around your wrist in the area you wear a watch.
- If your fingers overlap, you have a small body frame.
- If your fingers touch tip to tip, you are considered medium framed.
- If there's a gap between your thumb and index finger, you have a larger frame.
Printable Female Body Frame Size Chart (Wrist Method)
Printable Male Body Frame Size Chart (Wrist Method)
Printable Male and Female Body Frame Size Table (Elbow Method)
Neck Size: Measurement Chart and Information
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Cite This Page (APA): Langtree, I. C. (2022, December 12). Body Frame Size Measuring Tables. Disabled World. Retrieved September 8, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/calculators-charts/body-frame.php
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