Body Frame Size Calculator
What body frame size means
Body frame size is a rough description of your skeletal build — whether your bones are relatively light, average or heavy for your height. Because the wrist carries little muscle or fat, its circumference compared with your height is a common way to estimate it at home.
Frame size is different from body shape. Shape describes proportions such as bust, waist and hips; frame describes overall bone structure. You can check your shape with the female or male body shape calculator.
Body frame size chart
Wrist circumference ranges by height, following the MedlinePlus method. Below the medium range is a small frame; above it is a large frame.
| Group | Small | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women, under 5 ft 2 in | Under 5.5 in (14 cm) | 5.5 in (14 cm) to 5.8 in (14.6 cm) | Over 5.8 in (14.6 cm) |
| Women, 5 ft 2 in to 5 ft 5 in | Under 6 in (15.2 cm) | 6 in (15.2 cm) to 6.3 in (15.9 cm) | Over 6.3 in (15.9 cm) |
| Women, over 5 ft 5 in | Under 6.3 in (15.9 cm) | 6.3 in (15.9 cm) to 6.5 in (16.5 cm) | Over 6.5 in (16.5 cm) |
| Men, over 5 ft 5 in | Under 6.5 in (16.5 cm) | 6.5 in (16.5 cm) to 7.5 in (19.1 cm) | Over 7.5 in (19.1 cm) |
The published ranges for men are for heights over 5 ft 5 in; the calculator uses the same ranges for shorter men and notes that the result is less certain.
How to measure your wrist
- Use a flexible tape measure, or a strip of paper you can mark and then measure with a ruler.
- Wrap it around the smallest part of your wrist, just above the wrist bone (toward your hand).
- Keep it snug against the skin without pressing in, and read the measurement.
- Measure your height without shoes, standing straight against a wall.
For other body measurements, see the measuring guide.
Body frame size FAQ
How do I know my body frame size?
Measure around the smallest part of your wrist, just above the wrist bone, and compare it with the range for your height. A wrist below the range is a small frame, within it medium, and above it large.
Is frame size the same as body shape?
No. Frame size estimates how heavy or light your skeletal build is. Body shape describes the proportions between bust or shoulders, waist and hips. Two people with the same frame size can have different shapes.
Why is the wrist used to estimate frame size?
The wrist has little muscle or fat, so its size reflects bone structure more than body composition. That makes it a quick, if rough, indicator of skeletal build.
What is frame size used for?
It is sometimes used to adjust weight ranges for height, and in fashion to choose proportionate accessories such as watches and jewelry. On its own it does not describe health.
How accurate is a wrist measurement?
It is a simple estimate. Elbow breadth is another method used by professionals. A measurement that falls right on a boundary could reasonably be described either way.
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References
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Guidance on estimating body frame size from wrist circumference and height.