3 Ways to Measure Hand Size
Whether you’re looking for the perfect fit for gloves, gauging your hand size compared to the average person’s, or just out of sheer curiosity, measuring hand size is easy and can be done using everyday objects. Here are three simple methods to measure your hand size accurately.
1. Length Measurement
For this first method, you’ll need a ruler or tape measure. The length of your hand is measured from the tip of your longest finger (usually the middle finger) to the base of your palm in a straight line. To get accurate measurements, follow these steps:
a. Place your hand on a flat surface with your fingers close together.
b. Align the base of your palm with the start of the ruler.
c. Measure from the base of the palm to the tip of your longest finger in a straight line.
2. Width Measurement
Measuring the width gives insight into how broad your hand is. For this method, you’ll need a ruler or tape measure as well – cloth rulers work great for this. Here’s how to determine your hand width:
a. Place your hand on a flat surface with your fingers spread out as wide as possible.
b. Identify the two points that create the greatest distance across your hand (typically falling between the thumb and pinky)
c. Measure the distance between these two points using a ruler or tape measure.
By measuring both length and width, you can better understand how well gloves might fit and whether you need a wider or narrower option.
3. Circumference Measurement
The circumference measurement demonstrates how “thick” or “wide” around your hand is and can help when shopping for gloves that fit snuggly around it. For this method, use a flexible measuring tape or a piece of string and a ruler.
a. Place one end of flexible measuring tape at the center of your palm below all four fingers.
b. Wrap the measuring tape around your hand, just below the knuckles.
c. Bring the tape back to the starting point without adjusting it. Keep it snug around your hand but not too tight to restrict movement.
If you don’t have a flexible measuring tape, you can do the same with a piece of string. Wrap the string around your hand as described above then keep your finger where the two ends meet. Next, lay the string flat and use a ruler to measure the distance between both ends.
By implementing one or more of these methods, you can confidently measure your hand size for various purposes. Remember that everyone’s hands differ in size and shape, so finding the perfect fit might not always be possible. However, these measurements can help narrow down your options and find a solution that works best for you.