Calculating body frame size

Body frame size is determined by a person's wrist circumference in relation to their height. For example, a man whose height is over 5' 5" and wrist is 6" would fall into the small-boned category.

Determining frame size: To determine the body frame size, measure the wrist with a tape measure and use the following chart to determine whether the person is small, medium, or large boned.

Women:

• Height under 5'2"
  • Small = wrist size less than 5.5"
  • Medium = wrist size 5.5" to 5.75"
  • Large = wrist size over 5.75"
• Height 5'2" to 5' 5"
  • Small = wrist size less than 6"
  • Medium = wrist size 6" to 6.25"
  • Large = wrist size over 6.25"
• Height over 5' 5"
  • Small = wrist size less than 6.25"
  • Medium = wrist size 6.25" to 6.5"
  • Large = wrist size over 6.5"

Men:

• Height over 5' 5"
  • Small = wrist size 5.5" to 6.5"
  • Medium = wrist size 6.5" to 7.5"
  • Large = wrist size over 7.5"

Reviewed By

Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.