Body Frame Size Calculator
Identify your skeletal frame category to personalize weight targets, nutrition strategies, and fitness goals.
Measurements
Measure your wrist just distal to the styloid processes (bony bumps) while keeping the tape snug but not tight.
Frame Size Result
Frame size
Medium frame
Height ÷ Wrist ratio
10.31
Sex
female
Height
1.65 m • 5.4 ft (65.0 in)
Wrist
16.0 cm • 6.3 in
What it means
Moderate bone structure for this height.
How to Use This Calculator
Measure your wrist
Wrap a flexible measuring tape around your wrist just below the wrist bone (styloid). Keep the tape level and snug but not compressing the skin.
Enter height and select sex
Frame size charts are sex-specific because bone density and joint structure differ. Enter your standing height without shoes.
Review the recommendation
Use your frame size to contextualize ideal weight charts, clothing sizing, and strength training goals.
Formula
Frame Ratio = Height in inches ÷ Wrist circumference in inches
- Convert metric inputs to inches before applying the ratio.
- An elevated ratio indicates a smaller frame; a lower ratio indicates a larger skeletal frame.
- Cutoffs come from the Metropolitan Life Insurance tables used in many clinical references.
Example: Height = 65 in, Wrist = 6 in → Ratio = 10.83 → Classified as a small frame for a female of this height.
Why Frame Size Matters
Body frame size affects ideal body weight targets, nutritional needs, and the way clothing fits. People with smaller frames tend to weigh less at healthy body fat levels, while those with larger frames can carry more weight without excess fat.
Frame assessments are a starting point. Combine them with body composition measurements, fitness goals, and medical advice to create a personalized plan. Strength training can increase bone density and joint robustness, especially for medium and large frames.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does body frame size change with age?
Frame size is largely determined by bone structure and does not change significantly after adolescence. However, bone density can decrease with age, so resistance training and adequate nutrition remain important.
Can I use elbow breadth instead of wrist circumference?
Elbow breadth is another validated method. This calculator uses wrist measurements for convenience, but results are comparable when standardized properly.
How does ethnicity influence frame size?
Different populations may have distinct skeletal proportions. Use frame size as a general guide, and adjust based on clinical judgement and cultural norms.
Should I adjust my clothing sizes based on frame size?
Frame size can explain why some standard sizes feel tight or loose in areas like shoulders and wrists. Use it as additional data when tailoring garments.