Last updated October 10, 2026 · Report an error
Body frame size — small, medium, or large — is traditionally used alongside ideal-body-weight tables to widen or narrow a healthy weight range for a given height. This calculator uses the standard height-to-wrist-circumference ratio method reproduced in nutrition assessment references, in the tradition of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company frame-size tables. This is general reference information, not a medical diagnosis — consult a doctor or qualified professional for an actual health assessment.
How it works
Enter your height, wrist circumference, and sex. The tool divides height by wrist circumference and compares the ratio to standard sex-specific thresholds to classify frame size.
- Enter sex.
- Enter height (cm).
- Enter wrist circumference (cm).
- Click Calculate to see your results.
Examples
A 175cm man with an 17cm wrist
Ratio = 175/17 ≈ 10.3, which falls in the "medium frame" band for men (9.6-10.4).
Who should use it
- Adjusting expectations when using ideal-body-weight tables.
- General body-type reference for fitness planning.
Industry applications
- Fitness and nutrition assessment
- General wellness reference
Advantages
- Simple, quick classification requiring only a tape measure.
- Based on a long-standing, widely reproduced reference method.
Limitations
- Less precise than direct elbow-breadth measurement against age/sex tables.
- Not a substitute for a professional body composition assessment.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Measuring wrist circumference over clothing or too loosely, inflating the reading.
- Treating frame size as a precise medical classification rather than a general reference category.
Best practices
- Measure wrist circumference at the narrowest point just below the wrist bone, directly against skin.
Tips
- Measure your wrist at its narrowest point, just distal to the wrist bone, for the most standard reading.