Two people of the same height can have very different bone structures. Wrist circumference is a simple stand-in for skeletal size, because there is little fat or muscle at the wrist.
How to use the Body Frame Size Calculator
- Sex
- Height
- Wrist circumference
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Measure your wrist just above the wrist bone (towards the hand) on your dominant side. The calculator divides height by wrist circumference and compares the ratio with the Grant (1980) cut-offs used by the US National Library of Medicine.
Frame size cut-offs
| Frame | Women (height ÷ wrist) | Men (height ÷ wrist) |
|---|---|---|
| Small | above 11.0 | above 10.4 |
| Medium | 10.1–11.0 | 9.6–10.4 |
| Large | below 10.1 | below 9.6 |
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Sex | Choose one: Male, Female |
| Height | Units: cm, in, m, ft, mm |
| Wrist circumference | Units: cm, in, m, ft, mm |
Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.
Formula
r = height ÷ wrist circumference
Men: r > 10.4 small, 9.6–10.4 medium, < 9.6 large
Women: r > 11.0 small, 10.1–11.0 medium, < 10.1 large
Worked example
Inputs — Sex: Female; Height: 165 cm; Wrist circumference: 15.5 cm.
Results — Height to wrist ratio = 10.65; Body frame size = Medium.
Key terms
- Frame size
- A rough measure of skeletal size.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I measure my wrist?
Just in front of the wrist bone, where the wrist creases.
Why does frame size matter?
Ideal weight tables such as the Metropolitan Life tables give different ranges for small, medium and large frames.
Can I use elbow breadth instead?
Yes, elbow breadth is another method, but the wrist is easier to measure at home.
Sources
- MedlinePlus – Body frame size
- Grant JP. Handbook of Total Parenteral Nutrition, 1980