Home > Fitness Testing > Tests > Anthropometry > Body Size > Length

Length measures are made at standard anatomical sites around the body, measured with a tape measure, ruler or caliper. See also the body size tests of breadth.

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• equipment required: steel ruler or flexible metal tape measure (or caliper) and pen for marking the skin. If a plastic or cloth tape is used, it should be checked regularly against a metal tape as they may stretch over time.
• procedure: First mark the sites to be measured. For descriptions of the procedure for measuring specific lengths, see the list below.
• sites: Below are some common sites used for length measurements. Click on the link for a detailed description of the procedure. Sites marked with * are part of the ISAK full anthropometry profile.
  • Standing Height *
  • Sitting Height *
  • Knee Height
  • Arm Length
  • Arm Span
  • Hand Span
  • Recumbent Length
  • Foot Length *
  • Acromiale-Radiale (upper arm length) *
  • Radiale-stylion (forearm length) *
  • Midstylion-dactylion (hand length) *
  • Iliospinale (height from floor to hip) *
  • Trochanterion (height from floor to top of femur) *
  • Trochanterion-tibiale laterale (thigh length) *
  • Tibiale laterale to floor (lower leg length, knee height) *
  • Tibiale mediale-sphyrion tibiale (tibia length)*
• reliability: Things that may affect reliability are changes to the testers, constant and even tension on the tape, and correct landmarking (finding the correct anatomical sites for measurement).
• advantages: low costs involved in the testing procedure, and for many sites the measurement can be self administered.

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Related Pages

• A discussion about Body Size Testing
• Measurement of standing reach
• Measuring peak height velocity
• Other anthropometric tests
• Videos of Anthropometric Tests