Height
- Stand barefoot against a wall with heels, glutes, and upper back lightly touching.
- Keep eyes forward and head neutral.
- Use a flat object at the top of the head and measure from floor to that mark.
Body Frame Size Calculator
Estimate frame size from height and wrist circumference using a practical height-to-wrist ratio.
ImperialMetric
Gender
Height
5 ft 10 in
Stand tall without shoes and keep posture neutral.
Wrist Circumference
6.9 in
Measure at the narrowest point between hand and forearm.
10.17
Ratio
Frame Size
Medium Frame
Height / Wrist Ratio
10.17
Height
5 ft 10 in
Wrist
6.9 in
Interpretation
Average skeletal build for height.
Baseline reference for many weight-range charts.
8.59.09.510.010.511.011.512.0
LargeMediumSmall
Medium Frame
Body Frame Size RangesMEN
Body frame size here is based on the height-to-wrist ratio. Higher ratios generally indicate a smaller frame, while lower ratios indicate a larger frame.
| RATIO (HEIGHT / WRIST) | FRAME SIZE |
|---|---|
| 0.0-9.6 | Large Frame Often +10% vs medium-frame weight targets. |
| 9.6-10.4 | Medium Frame Baseline reference for many weight-range charts. |
| >10.4 | Small Frame Often -10% vs medium-frame weight targets. |
What This Body Frame Size Calculator Shows
Body frame size is a skeletal-build classification often used to add context to weight targets, clothing fit, and physique comparisons. This tool estimates frame size from the ratio of height to wrist circumference.
It does not estimate body fat directly. Instead, it helps explain why two people at similar body fat or body weight can still look different.
Formula and Thresholds
This calculator uses:
Frame Ratio = Height (cm) / Wrist Circumference (cm)
Women
Small: > 11.0 | Medium: 10.1-11.0 | Large: < 10.1
Men
Small: > 10.4 | Medium: 9.6-10.4 | Large: < 9.6
These thresholds are practical screening ranges. Use them for context, not diagnosis.
How To Measure Input Sections
This tool uses body-size measurements only and does not require skinfold calipers. Use the same protocol each time for stable results.
Wrist Circumference
- Measure the narrowest wrist point between hand and forearm.
- Wrap tape snugly without compressing skin.
- Take 2 to 3 readings and average for consistency.
How To Use This Result
Frame size helps contextualize composition tools. Smaller frames may look softer at the same body fat percentage, while larger frames can appear leaner at similar percentages.
Pair this with the FFMI Calculator and Lean Body Mass Calculator for better body-composition context. For waist-height roundness trends, use the BRI Calculator. For hip-height adiposity context, compare with the BAI Calculator.
References
- Chumlea WC, et al. Frame size and body composition in middle-aged adults.PubMed record
- CDC guidance on adult BMI use and interpretation:About Adult BMI
- WHO obesity and overweight clinical/public-health context:WHO fact sheet