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How to Check Body Frame Size

People with a smaller body frame typically have a lower ideal weight than people with a large body frame do. If you have a small body frame, aim to hit a weight at the lower end of the recommended weight range for your height. To determine your weight range, check ideal weight calculators or charts found online or at your doctors office. There are two main methods of assessing your frame size: the "finger test" and measuring your wrist. Measuring your wrist gives the most accurate results.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
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Instructions

  1. Finger Test

    • 1

      Wrap the middle finger and thumb of your right hand around the narrowest part of your left wrist.

    • 2

      Note whether your fingers overlap, touch or do not touch.

    • 3

      Compare your results to the standard. If your fingers overlap, you have a small frame. If your fingers touch, you have a medium frame. If your fingers do not touch, you have a large frame. This method serves only as an estimate.

    Measurement Test

    • 4

      Measure the thinnest area of your wrist using a measuring tape.

    • 5

      Write down the measurement in inches.

    • 6

      Compare your measurements to a standard chart for men, if you are a man. If you taller than 5 feet, 5 inches, a wrist under 6.5 inches means you have a small frame. A wrist under 7.5 inches means you have a medium frame, and a wrist over 7.5 inches means you have a large frame.

    • 7

      Compare your measurements to a standard chart for women, if you are a woman. For women, under 5 feet, 2 inches, a wrist under 5.5 inches means you have a small frame. A wrist under 5.75 inches means you have medium frame. A wrist over 5.75 inches means you have a large frame. For women between 5 feet, 2 inches and 5 feet, 5 inches, a wrist under 6 inches, means you have a small frame. A wrist under 6.25 inches means you have a medium frame, and a wrist over 6.25 inches means you have a large frame. For women taller than 5 feet, 5 inches, a wrist under 6.25 inches means you have a small frame, a wrist under under 6.5 inches means you have a medium frame, and a wrist over 6.5 inches means you have a large frame.

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