Estimate palm width from height, or height from palm width, then compare your hand with average sizes for men or women and find your glove size.

Palm width is hand breadth across the knuckles, thumb excluded.

For feet, use decimals: 5 ft 8 in = 5.67 ft.

Average palm-width-to-height ratio for the group (mean hand breadth ÷ mean height); also used for the percentile.

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Disclaimer: Results are estimates for general informational use and are not a medical device. For clinical/PPE glove selection, measure your hand directly and follow your employer’s policy and the glove manufacturer’s sizing chart; “average/percentile” comparisons vary by dataset and measurement method.

Height to Palm Width Formula

The following formula is used to estimate palm width based on height:

PW = H × R

Variables:

  • PW is the estimated palm width (inches)
  • H is the height of the person (inches)

To estimate palm width, multiply the person’s height by R, the average palm-width-to-height ratio: about 0.0502 overall, 0.0515 for men and 0.0487 for women.

What is Palm Width?

Palm width typically refers to the measurement across the widest part of the palm, near the base of the fingers. It is an anthropometric measurement that can be useful for determining glove sizes and ergonomic assessments.

How to Calculate Palm Width from Height?

The following steps outline how to estimate palm width from height:

  1. First, measure the person’s height (H) in inches.
  2. Next, apply the formula PW = H × R.
  3. Calculate the estimated palm width (PW) in inches.
  4. Verify the answer using the calculator above.

Example Problem:

For example, if a person’s height (H) is 70 inches, the estimated palm width (PW) would be:

PW = 70 × 0.0502 = 3.51 inches