MEASUREMENT GUIDE · ARM LENGTH
How to Measure Arm Length
— Upper & Lower Arm with Hand Spans
Measuring arm length in two segments — upper arm (shoulder to elbow) and lower arm (elbow to wrist) — is more accurate than measuring the full arm at once. It also gives you the proportion data needed for sleeve length and arm ratio analysis.
Step A — Upper Arm (Shoulder to Elbow)
STEP A
Arm relaxed at side — shoulder seam to elbow bone
Let your arm hang naturally at your side. Place your span's thumb at the shoulder seam point (acromion) and count how many spans fit to the outer elbow bone (lateral epicondyle). Measure along the outer arm.
Upper arm spans × span cm = Upper Arm Length
e.g. 2 spans × 18cm = 36cm (avg male upper arm ~32–36cm)
Step B — Lower Arm (Elbow to Wrist)
STEP B
Arm extended — elbow bone to wrist bone
Extend your arm forward. Place your span's thumb at the outer elbow bone and count spans to the outer wrist bone (ulnar styloid). Measure along the outer (pinky-side) forearm.
Lower arm spans × span cm = Lower Arm Length
e.g. 1.5 spans × 18cm = 27cm (avg male lower arm ~25–28cm)
💡 Total arm length = upper + lower. Shoulder tip to wrist is typically ~3–3.5 spans. This is the primary number for determining sleeve length.
Why Arm Length Matters for Fit
Sleeve length is one of the most visible fit problems. Even a perfectly fitted shoulder and chest is ruined by sleeves that are too long or short. Shirt sleeves should extend ~1–1.5cm beyond the jacket sleeve; jacket sleeves should just reveal the wrist bone.
The ratio between your upper and lower arm is also a key data point in body proportion analysis — FITME uses it to generate your arm proportion score and sleeve style recommendations.
💡 Body proportion fact: forearm length ≈ foot length. Compare yours — they're usually within 1cm of each other.
Got Your Arm Measurements? Get Your Proportion Score
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