How to Determine Your Body Frame Size (Elbow Size Method)

When determining your ideal weight range, it’s important to know your frame size— are you small, medium, or large-boned?

While the wrist measuring method is easiest, the elbow breadth measuring method is a little trickier, but often more accurate.

Read on to see how you can measure your elbow breadth to determine your frame size.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• calipers (optional)
• tape measure or ruler

1. 
   Bring your arm into an

   Hold your arm straight in front of you, and then raise it to a 90 degree angle (to make a backward L shape).

2. Identify the two bones belonging to your elbow joint. Turn your arm so that your palm faces to your right. There should be an upper bone and a lower bone at the joint of your elbow.

3. 
   Measure distance between elbow joints.

   Using calipers or your thumb and forefinger (calipers are often more accurate), touch both joints, remove the calipers or your and immediately measure the space between on top of a ruler or tape measure. Write this number down.

4. Use the chart below to determine your body frame size. This chart includes the measurements for a medium sized frame. If your measurement is under the inches below for your height, then you have a small frame. If your measurement is over the inches listed below for your height, than you have a large frame.
   
   Height: Under 5' 2"
   
   Elbow breadth: 2.25” – 2.5” = medium frame
   
   Height: 5' 3" to 5' 10"
   
   Elbow breadth: 2.375” - 2.625” = medium frame
   
   Height: 5’ 11” and up
   
   Elbow breadth: 2.5” – 2.75” = medium frame

5. Now that you know your frame size, go to the weight chart in the recommend resources below to determine your ideal weight range.

Tips & Warnings

• For increased accuracy, you can try the easier wrist measuring method and entering both of these numbers in the frame size calculator in the recommended resources section below.

Resources

• Weight Range Chart
• Frame Size Calculator

[jull14]

on 7/19/2009 Excellent article many of us should write article as inspiring as yours. I always love to read article that can help me live better and this is one of this article, thanks so much for sharing. This article is very clear and provided easy steps to follow. Thanks

[cherrystew]

on 7/19/2009 Interesting article! 5*