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The human hand comes in different sizes. The length of the hand is measured from the base of the palm to the top of the middle finger.
In this article, we will take a look at the average length and breadth of the hand.
We’ll also show you the circumference, grip size of female and male adults, as well as the average hand size of children.
Plus, we’ll explain how to measure gloves to fit your hands. The relationship between hand height and size, comparison of athletes’ hands, and the largest hands ever measured.
Average Hand Size Of The Adult:
The average hand length of an adult female is 6.8 inches, whereas the hand length of an adult male is 7.6 inches.
There are three essential dimensions of adult hand size:
Length: It is being measured from the top of the middle finger to the bottom of the palm.
Breadth: Measured across the widest part where the fingers connect the palm.
Circumference: Measure around the fullest part of the hand around the knuckles and excluding the thumb.
According to the research, here is the average hand size of the adult (1):
| Gender | Hand Length (Average) | Hand Breadth (Width) (Average) | Circumference Of Hand (Average) |
| Female | 6.8 inches | 3.1 inches | 7.0 inches |
| Male | 7.6 inches | 3.5 inches | 8.6 inches |
Average Hand Size Of Children:
Here are the average hand sizes for children aged 6 to 11, as per the survey (2):
| Gender | Age | Average Length | Average Breadth |
| Female | 6-year-olds | 4.4–5.7 inches | 2.0–2.7 inches |
| 11-year-olds | 5.6–7.0 inches | 2.0–3.1 inches | |
| Male | 6-year-olds | 4.6–5.7 inches | 2.1–2.6 inches |
| 11-year-olds | 5.5–6.8 inches | 2.0–3.1 inches |
Average Grip Size Of The Adult:
Accurate grip size can help you with the appropriate selection of the tool.
Take a tool that has a handle that feels too small. Put a few wraps of canal tape around the handle in the place where you hold it the most.
Use the tool for a day and keep adding tape until it starts to feel too large. Remove a few wraps until it is comfortable.
Wrap a tape measure around the region that you’ve taped to get the grip size that works best for you.
According to a study, the ideal diameter of the handle is 19.7 percent of the person’s hand size (3).
For example: if the user’s hand length is 7.6 inches, multiply it by 0.197 to get 1.49 inches. It means the optimal handle diameter for a tool like a hammer would be about 1.5 inches.
You should be sure that the tool is designed for the job and comfortable to hold.
The Correct Way To Determine The Glove Size:
Your glove size is the measurement around the palm of your hand. It helps you to determine the correct glove size that ensures a combination of comfort and protection.
The following chart you can use to select your glove size:
| Hand size | Glove size |
| 7 inches | XSmall |
| 7.5–8 inches | Small |
| 8.5–9 inches | Medium |
| 9.5–10 inches | Large |
| 10.5–11 inches | XLarge |
| 11.5–12 inches | 2 XLarge |
| 12–13.5 inches | 3 XLarge |
The Correlation Between Hand Size And Height:
The study reveals that you can predict somebody’s height with a regression equation using hand length, gender, and age (4).
This estimated height can be used to calculate body mass index (BMI). This is generally used in a clinical setting if it’s not possible to get precise measurements directly.
Hand Sizes Of Professional Athletes:
In prof sports, hand size is measured in two ways: length and span. Hand length is the measurement from the base of the palm to the top of the middle finger.
Span is measured from the top of the pinky finger to the tip of the thumb with your hand outstretched.
National Basketball Association (NBA):
The NBA takes body measurements of players every year (5).
Some greats like Michael Jordan’s benefited from having large hands. His hand measurements were 9.75 inches in length, with a span of 11.375 inches.
Jordan’s hand span is 21 percent wider than the average male’s hand.
Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA):
Brittney Griner, one of the best women’s basketball players in the world, has a hand size of 9.5 inches. She is 6’9” tall.
National Football League (NFL):
According to the report, 2018 Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray, has a hand size of 9.5 inches. He is 5’10” tall (6).
The World’s Largest Hands:
As per the Guinness World Records, the living person with the largest hands in the world belongs to Sultan Kösen. He was born in Turkey in 1982, and his hand length is 11.22 inches. Sultan is 8’3” tall.
Additionally, the record for the largest hands ever belongs to Robert Wadlow (1918–1940), whose hand length was 12.75 inches.
If you are looking to increase your overall height, height growth pills like Growth Factor Plus can help.
The Bottom Line:
Besides sports, a hand span is essential in music, as well. For example, choosing the correct size of the guitar. Without the proper span, you may not be able to play the guitar that is too big for your hands.
Therefore, hand measurements play a vital role in the selection of tools. You can now find the measures of your hand span by applying one of these methods.
You can send out the hand measurements to your sports representatives and scouts, or pick the best fitting gloves online.
It is extremely important to perform an exercise for those who want to increase their hand size. You can use special equipment to increase your hand muscle size and strength.
Forearm workouts stretch and strengthen the muscles across your hands, wrists, and elbows.
Additionally, hormones play a part in nearly every major body function, including hand growth. If the body does not produce enough, a person may need to have growth hormone pills or injections.
HGH injections are developed for adults or children who have a lack of growth hormone and should only be approved by a doctor.
Children and adults with low levels of growth hormone should ensure they have plenty of sleep, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and that they follow medical guidance.
