Determining your frame size and body type (are you an ectomorph, mesomorph or endomorph?) will help you find out your ideal weight and determine the best exercise and diet plan to transform your body.
Calculator Instructions
Determine your frame size using the body frame size calculator. First select your gender. Then enter either your wrist size or elbow breadth. Lastly, enter your height in meters or feet and click calculate.
Determine your wrist size by measuring your wrist just below your wrist bone with a tape measure. This is the smallest point of the wrist.
To determine your elbow breath extend your arm forward such that it is horizontal and parallel to the ground. Then bend your elbow such that your forearm is at a 90º angle to the ground. Place your forefinger and thumb of your other hand on either side of your elbow joint. Then use your forefinger and thumb as a gauge to determine your elbow breadth by measuring the gap between them with a ruler.
Determining your frame size will help you set realistic weight loss goals (use the ideal weight calculator, which takes your frame size into account). We do not all have the same size of frame; some people have a smaller and lighter frame, while others will possess a heavier build. As such, if you have a large frame size you cannot expect to weigh the same as someone with a small frame. Frame size tends to correspond with body type.
Another method of determining frame size:
Small frame: fingers overlap when you place your thumb and middle finger around your wrist.
Medium frame: fingers touch when you place your thumb and middle finger around your wrist.
Large frame: fingers do not touch when you place your thumb and middle finger around your wrist.
Rating scales such as the body mass index, do not take the size of your frame into account, which means that is lacks accuracy in determining whether or not you fall within a healthy weight range. For example, a mesomorph tends to be medium or large framed and also carries a good amount of muscle mass. You can’t compare this persons weight when in shape with an out-of-shape ectomorph whose skeleton is slight and at the best of times carries little muscle mass.
21 Comments on "Body Type Calculator"
This is very helpful thanks alot !!!!.)
Very helpful!!!!!
I am confused. My wrist is 13 cm, my height 1.64m, and my elbow breadth is 7cm. So according to my wrist, I have a small frame, but according to my elbow a large one?! I held my elbow bones on either side, did I do something wrong or is my body simply weird
You didn’t do anything wrong and your body isn’t weird! Elbow breadth is rather difficult to measure, especially compared to taking a wrist measurement. And precision really does matter for the elbow measurement. With regards to elbow breadth, the difference between a small and large frame is 0.7 cm! In your case for example, at your height (1.64m) a small frame would have an elbow measurement of under 6.0 cm, a medium frame between 6.0 cm and 6.7 cm and a large frame a wrist size of over 6.7 cm. You can see measurements have to be incredibly precise. Therefore, stick with the wrist measurement, that’s more likely to give you an accurate result, as there’s less likelihood of error during measuring.
Thank you
Does race have an effect on how much you should weigh? Being a black girl, isn’t it harder to measure the frame considering our hip bones ten to be farther apart than maybe some other races?
Hi Eva. Race could possibly have an impact in so far that research shows that African Americans tend to have slightly higher bone density and muscle mass, which could increase weight a little (the ideal weight calculator does give a weight range for a given frame size). However, it’s difficult to generalize for an entire race, especially one that is so ethnically diverse. There is no stereotypical African. For example, North Africans look nothing like South Africans and West Africans (e.g. Nigeria – mesomorphic body type) look nothing like East Africans (e.g. Somalia – ectomorphic body type). In terms of tracking weight/ body composition, you can always go by body fat percentage, as it will be more accurate.
According to the calculator I have a small frame my wrist measurement was 6 inches. I am 5 feet 7 inches and I am very muscular. I have done karate, cycling, cheerleading, soccer, and pretty much every other sport that requires muscle. I am 19 and was recently married. I have moved around like crazy over the last year and I have gained weight. I now weigh 155lbs and I feel out of shape. I am trying to find an ideal weight for me because I have a small frame but muscles. Is there a calculator for that?
Hi Megs,
The body type calculator gives a general idea of weight range based on frame size. If you have a small frame and put on muscle easily, a weight at the upper end of the range the calculator estimated may be okay. However, since you’ve done a lot of sports and probably gained quite a bit of muscle, it could be higher than that. The scales don’t differentiate between muscle and fat. The best way to track weight loss is through body composition analysis, which is the best way to see what’s going on, especially if you are an athlete. Hope this helps. Good luck!
is it possible to be small framed and a mesomorph.im 5ft. 3in. and my wrist is 5.75 in. around.i fit the description of a mesomorph but i saw that they are usually medium boned..:)
i also wanted to add my fingers only touch when i wrap them around my wrist? showing im a medium frame but when i measure it im a small frame lol
Hi Jennifer, sorry for the delay! From what you’re saying it does sound like you’re a mesomorph, especially if as you say, you fit the general description. Also, frame size is just one of several mesomorph characteristics.
Hi! Thank you for this website, it’s so helpful! I have a quick question though, i can easily overlap my middle finger and thumb around my wrist, like they touch over an inch…but..
I wear size 8-10 in pants.
I’m a 36 B
and i’m 5’8 and 132lbs.
I have a more of an hourglass figure, but i usually gain weight easier on my thighs and have a very defined collarbones and neck. I’ve always struggled with this and trying to find my ideal figure and losing weight because i don’t have that much to lose, but i’m like a size 10 :/ And even that sometimes you can see my hipbones.
Any guess as to what “frame size” or “body type” i am? Would help greatly. Thank you!
Thanks! It’s difficult to make a judgement without seeing you, but I think you’re more worried about body shape than anything else. It seems you that may be pear-shaped. Mischa Barton is a good example of someone who is quite skinny on top, but has a lower body disproportionately larger compared to her upper body. A lot of women are pear-shaped. It’s just more marked in some than others. The problem with losing weight, is that you can’t decide from where you’re going to lose it and the area around the thighs tends to be troublesome for most women. If you’re happy with the size of your lower body, you could try resistance training targeting your upper body to create more balance. I hope this helps!
hey.here stated that i am in the small frame catogary but i was wondering how do you get a small waist and how do you get rid of the fat under the armpit and the back area? and get rid of the love handles too!i actually know i’m skinny but some areas hasn’t made me satisfied.can you tell me what to do please?thanks!
Hi Charlotte,
Unfortunately, you cannot spot reduce. In other words, you can’t choose from where you want to lose body fat. If you’re skinny fat, you can make big changes through resistance training to build muscle. The problem with being skinny fat is the lack of muscle. If you lack muscle, then no matter how slim you are, you still won’t have a firm body. Read more about skinny fat here.
My wrist is 6.25 which makes me a small frame but my elbow is 3 (if I did it correctly) and says im a large?
I’m 5’7 and 173 lbs so does that play a role? I know I’m mostly fat, though.
Hi Renee!
It’s probably best to get your body fat percentage measured. This will give you a much more accurate picture of what’s going on and what to aim for, especially if you have a lot of weight to lose. Also, the elbow measurement has to be incredibly accurate (see earlier answer to question in which the difference between a small and large frame is 0.7 cm). Weight is not the best way to track weight loss or even know if someone is healthy. Research has shown that you can be normal weight, and even underweight, but still have dangerously high levels of body fat.
I was told I have a small frame. I’m not a “small” girl (5’6″ 145lb) but I guess now I have the possibility to be skinny enough.
kinda confused i know i have small frame but i look larger because of my lower body…i store more fat on my legs and thighs and this is my biggest issue. i want slimmer thighs and legs.
Hi Anne,
It sounds as though you’re pear-shaped. Read this about how to slim down your thighs and legs.