Understanding your hand size can be beneficial in different careers, typically in the music and sports field. This article shows the average hand size charts and ways to measure your hand size.
Hand sizes differ depending on a number of variables, such as physiological gender and age. In general, men have bigger hands than women. What’s more, adults’ hands are bigger than kids’ hands. There is also proof that hand size is proportional to size.
Medical professionals estimate an individual’s hand using three main criteria. They are as follows:
- Length is typically calculated from the wrist to the edge of the longest finger.
- Breadth is measured all across the broadest part of the hand.
- Circumference: The diameter of the palm, just beneath the fingers, with the exception of the thumb.
This blog post will discuss the typical hand sizes of kids and adults. It also explains how to determine your glove size and grip size as well.
Key Takeaways
- Hand sizes differ based on age, gender, and tallness. Determine the length, broadness, and diameter of the hand to determine its size. An individual might also want to calculate their grip size at times.
- There are a few practical consequences for hand sizing. In healthcare situations, a medical practitioner could really approximate an individual’s BMI by measuring their hand length. Others may use the dimensions to assist them in finding the right grip size or glove size on a tennis ball.
Average Hand Size For Adults
Adult males, in general, feature bigger hands than their opposite gender. This variance equates to gender distinctions in general body size.
The average hand sizes of physiological adult women and men are as described in the following table, as per the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (widely known as NASA):
| Average size | Men (in inches and cm) | Women (in inches and cm) |
| Average length | 7.6 inches or approx. 19.31 cm | 6.8 inches or approx. 17.272 cm |
| Average breadth | 3.5 inches or approx. 8.89 cm | 3.1 inches or approx. 7.87 cm |
| Average circumference | 8.6 inches or approx. 21.84 cm | 7.0 inches or approx. 17.78 cm |
The numbers above denote medium hand sizes. As you might all know, an individual’s hands might appear to be larger or smaller.
Children’s Average Hand Size Chart
Hand sizes in kids differ tremendously depending on their age. A kid’s hand size may be determined solely by measuring its broadness and length.
An earlier report from 2007 found average hand width and length calculations in kids ages between 6 and 10 years old. These readings are shown in the chart down below:
| Sex | Age (years old) | Average hand length (in inches and cm) | Average hand breadth (in inches and cm) |
| Girl | 6 years old | 4.4-5.7 inches (approx. 11.18-14.48 cm) | 2.0-2.7 inches (approx. 5.08-6.858 cm) |
| 11 years old | 5.6-7.0 inches (approx. 14.22-17.78 cm) | 2.0-3.1 inches (approx. 5.08-7.87 cm) | |
| Boys | 6 years old | 4.6-5.7 inches (approx. 11.68-14.49 cm) | 2.1-2.6 inches (approx. 5.33-6.60 cm) |
| 11 years old | 5.5-6.8 inches (approx. 13.97-17.27 cm) | 2.0-3.1 inches (approx. 5.09-7.87 cm) |
Hand Size and Height Relationship
Accordingly, 2014 research examined if hand length could be used to anticipate an individual’s altitude. The research included 465 adults ranging in the age of 19 to 91 years old.
Hand length could really anticipate height, according to the investigators. They also discovered that doctors could even use hand length to calculate an individual’s body mass index (widely known as BMI). This might even be useful in cases where a precise height dimension for a BMI estimation is not feasible.
How To Choose The Right Grip Size ?
Another possible explanation for measuring the hand is to determine the grip size. In fact, this is a crucial component for tennis players to think about when buying a tennis racket. Choosing the correct grip size, as per Tennis Companion, could really help ease the pain, help avoid injury, and as a result, increase comfort.
When trying to calculate grip size, calculate from the upper horizontal line that extends all across the palm to the edge of the dominant hand’s prolonged ring finger.
The following is a list of different racket sizes sorted by grip size.
| Grip sizes (in inches) | Racket sizes |
| 4 inches | 0 |
| 4 ⅛ inches | 1 |
| 4 ¼ inches | 2 |
| 4 ⅜ inches | 3 |
| 4 ½ inches | 4 |
| 4 ⅝ inches | 5 |
| 4 ¾ inches | 6 |
What’s more, Tennis Companion even suggests that you test a racket whenever possible. This could aid in determining the proper size racket grip.
How To Choose The Right Glove Size?
A sizing chart suggests that an individual chooses gloves according to the diameter or length of their dominant hand whatever dimension is the biggest.
The chart down below displays glove sizes based on gender, age, and hand size. Generally speaking, g love sizes are proportional to average hand dimensions. The measurements are approximations and might not pertain to all brand names of produced gloves.
| Unisex | Men | Women | Junior | Glove sizes |
| 4 inches | – | – | – | XS |
| 4.5 inches | – | – | – | S |
| 5 inches | – | – | – | M |
| 5.5 inches | – | – | – | L |
| 6 inches | – | – | XS | XL |
| 6.5 inches | XXS | – | S | XXL |
| 7 inches | XS | XS | M | – |
| 7.5 inches | S | S | L | – |
| 8 inches | – | S | XL | – |
| 8.5 inches | M | M | – | – |
| 9 inches | L | M | – | – |
| 9.5 inches | XL | L | – | – |
| 10 inches | 2XL | L | – | – |
| 10.5 inches | – | XL | – | – |
| 11 inches | 3XL | XL | – | – |
| 11.5 inches | – | XXL | – | – |
| 12 inches | – | 2XL | – | – |
The size of a kid’s gloves is determined by their age instead of their hand size. The following is a complete overview of selecting glove sizes for kids of various ages:
| Kids’ age range (years old) | Glove sizes |
| 6 months old to 1 year old | XXS |
| 1 to 2 years old | XS |
| 2 to 3 years old | S |
| 3 to 4 years old | M |
| 4 to 5 years old | L |
| 5 to 6 years old | XL |
Whenever feasible, try on the gloves prior to actually purchasing them. This would aid in ensuring a perfect fit. A pair of gloves should be snug enough but not overly so. The gloves’ fingers must also reach the fingertips but, again, not feel constricting.
Average Hand Dimensions for Different Glove Sizes
| Women’s sizes | Men’s sizes | Hand length (in inches and cem) | Circumference (in inches and cm) |
| 6.5 – XS | 6.5 – XS | 6.2 inches or approx. 15.75 cm | 6 inches or approx. 15.24 cm |
| 7 – S | 7 – S | 6.5 inches or approx. 16.51 cm | 6.5 inches or approx. 16.51 cm |
| 7.5 – M | – | 6.8 inches or approx. 17.27 cm | 7.1 inches or approx. 18.03 cm |
| 8 – L | 8 – M | 7 inches or approx. 17.78 cm | 7.5 inches or approx. 19.05 cm |
| 8.5 – XL | – | 7.3 inches or approx. 18.54 cm | 7.9 inches or approx. 20.07 cm |
| 9 – L | 7.5 inches or approx. 19.05 cm | 8.5 inches or approx. 21.59 cm | |
| 10 – XL | 8.1 inches or approx. 20.57 cm | 9.5 inches or approx. 24.13 cm | |
| 11 – XXL | 8.8 inches or approx. 22.35 | 10.5 inches or approx. 26.67 cm |
How to Calculate Average Hand Size?
In general, there are numerous things to think about when determining the real size of your hand. Measuring the width of your hand will just provide you with an estimate. Sports players benefit from a larger hand span. Basically, this handspan dimension reduces the likelihood of selecting the right size for fashion lovers and individuals who are trying to pick a pair of gloves to keep them warm.
Besides, there is a simple method for determining the size of your hand at home without frustration or advising a specialist. Everything you need is a measuring device or a basic ruler to complete this task. The following is a guide to measuring your hand size:
- Length: is measured from the tip of the middle finger to the base of your palm.
- Breadth: The broadest part of the hand in which the fingers meet the palm.
- Circumference: All around the broadest portion of the hand, except for the thumb, across the knuckles.
How Do You Measure Your Hand’s Length?
To measure the length of your hand, place your palm directly in front of your head with your fingers directed to the roof. All of your fingers, particularly the middle one, must be straight. Calculate from the edge of the middle finger to the contours or bottom of the palm with a normal ruler or measuring tape. Accordingly, the length of your hand is the measurement you receive.
How Do You Measure Your Hand’s Circumference?
To determine the diameter of your hand, grasp it out in front of you. Keep the pinky and index fingers around each other but mildly apart, and detach the thumb. Enclose a measuring tape or normal tape rule all around the joint of your fingers and palm. Finally, this dimension provides the circumference of your hand.
How do you determine the size of your grip?
Fully understanding your grip size is essential for tool choice and sports activities undertakings. Calculating your grip size, in reality, is not as easy as calculating the diameter and length of your hand, but it is doable. The very first step is to make an ideal ‘O’ with your index finger and thumb. Calculate the radius (upper of the ‘O’ to the base of the ‘O’) with a tape rule or a normal ruler.
To guarantee a precise calculation, keep your readings inside the letter ‘O.’ And after that, multiply the result of this calculation by 3.14. Then your grip size should be determined by the answer.
How do you calculate your Handspan?
These dimensions are extremely important if you want to pursue a profession in either the music or sports industry. It is considered among the factors that will influence how well you perform. The hand size, also known as the handspan, is the maximum possible stretching of the fingers and palm.
You’ll have to have a bare piece of paper (either A4 or larger) to take a precise dimension of your handspan. Simply stretch out your hand as broadly as possible on the sheet of paper. Note the positions of the edge of the thumb and the edge of the pinky finger with a pencil or ballpoint pen. Then make a line between these two positions using a ruler. The length of that line taken between these two places signifies the length between your hands.
Hand Measurements Of Professional Athletes
Hand size is typically calculated in professional sports in 2 different ways, including span and length. Generally speaking, the span is the distance between the tips of the little finger and the tips of the thumb when the hand is fully extended.
What is the average size of a professional NFL player’s hands?
As lots of you might know, the NFL is well-known for giving preferential treatment to individuals with large hands. The possible explanation for this is that there are worries regarding ball security and grips all through poor weather, which might actually impact protective players’ output. For quarterbacks in the NFL, hand sizes are much more prominent.
The median Quarterback hand size during the last 18 years has been recorded as 26.64 cm or approx. 9.7 inches. Hand sizes of those having lesser lengths, in addition, have already been discovered, but they are uncommon. Kevin Hogan has a handspan of approximately 10.25 inches or approx. 26.04 cm.
Even Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Cam Newton, Josh Allen, Russell Wilson, Josh Freeman, and others have the largest hands in NFL history, differing over 10 inches or approx. 25.4cm.
What is the average NBA player’s hand size?
Basically, size is really important for NBA players. Ball control is affected by your handspan. The longer handspan could really help you handle the balls on the field. The NBA uses the span and length measurements as the two major factors to determine the candidate. The length, accordingly, is generally calculated from the bottom of the palm to the edge of the middle finger.
So far, the NBA’s average hand length has been documented as 7.4 inches or approx. 18.80cm. Having said that, the NBA has seen some exceptions to the rule with heights exceeding 10 inches. In particular, basketball players with big hand sizes include Jordan Palmer, Josh Smith, Kobe Brant, Kevin Willis, and Michael Jordan. The average length calculated from the edge of the thumb to the edge of the pinky finger is 8.5 inches or approx. 21.59cm.
What is the Average WNBA’s Hand Size?
As per the Women’s National Basketball Association (widely known as WNBA), Brittney Griner, regarded as one of the greatest female basketball players all over the globe, features 9.5-inch hands. She also has an outstanding height of 6 feet 9 inches (approx. 205.74 cm), which might be a proper explanation for her bigger hand size than the average dimension.
What is The Biggest Hand Size in The World?
Sultan Kösen, who was brought into the world in Turkey in 1982, is a living human with the globe’s biggest hands, as per Guinness World Records. In particular, Sultan’s hand measures 11.22 inches (approx. 28.5 cm) in length. In addition, Sultan is even recognized as the tallest guy all over the globe, standing 8 feet 3 inches (approx. 251 cm), according to Guinness.
Also, as per Guinness, Robert Wadlow (born in 1918 and died in 1940) holds the world record for the longest hand ever, with a hand length of 12.75 inches (approx. 32.4 cm).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is widely considered the normal hand size?
In fact, there is no particular handspan dimension that represents a typical or unusual hand size. Generally speaking, the only measurement you would find is the medium hand size, which differs by gender and is also distinct for children.
Sadly, when you get older, your complex physical building changes, and you can lose a few inches in your body systems. Adult hand sizes, accordingly, typically range between 5 inches (approx. 12.7 cm) and 10 inches (approx. 25.4 cm). In fact, a few people might go lower or higher.
What is the normal size of a man’s hand?
As per polling results on male hand size, the normal size for adult men is approx. 7.6inches (approx. 19.3 cm). Anything above this falls into the big spectrum, while anything below falls into the low spectrum. Other than in the music and sports industry, nobody is controlled by the dimensions of their hands.
What is the typical hand size of a one-year-old kid?
Children’s hands are typically small during the first two years of life. Their hand sizes, even so, differ depending on their sex. Babies (both girls and boys) feature a hand diameter of around 3.75 inches or approx. 9.5 cm on average.
