Short answer
MedlinePlus wrist chart: women 5′2″–5′5″ are small under 6″ (15.24 cm), medium 6–6.25″ (to 15.88 cm), large above; men over 5′5″ are small 5.5–6.5″, medium 6.5–7.5″ (16.51–19.05 cm), large over 7.5″.
1. The chart in inches and centimetres
| Group | Small | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women under 5′2″ (157.5 cm) | under 5.5″ (13.97 cm) | 5.5–5.75″ (13.97–14.61 cm) | over 5.75″ (14.61 cm) |
| Women 5′2″–5′5″ (157.5–165.1 cm) | under 6″ (15.24 cm) | 6–6.25″ (15.24–15.88 cm) | over 6.25″ (15.88 cm) |
| Women over 5′5″ (165.1 cm) | under 6.25″ (15.88 cm) | 6.25–6.5″ (15.88–16.51 cm) | over 6.5″ (16.51 cm) |
| Men over 5′5″ (165.1 cm) | 5.5–6.5″ (13.97–16.51 cm) | 6.5–7.5″ (16.51–19.05 cm) | over 7.5″ (19.05 cm) |
The chart does not cover men 5′5″ and under.
2. Reading the chart
- 1Find your group by sex and height.
- 2Measure your wrist just below the wrist bone.
- 3Read across to the column that contains your measurement.
3. Examples
- A woman 160 cm tall with a 15.5 cm wrist (6.1″) is in the 5′2″–5′5″ band, where 6–6.25″ is medium.
- A man with a 17 cm wrist (6.7″) is medium, since 6.5–7.5″ is the medium range.
4. Chart versus ratio method
The chart uses fixed height bands, while the height ÷ wrist ratio scales smoothly. Near a band edge the two can differ by one size, which simply means you are close to a border.
5. Frequently asked questions
What is a medium wrist size for a woman?expand_more
It depends on height. For women 5′2″–5′5″ it is 6–6.25″ (15.24–15.88 cm); under 5′2″ it is 5.5–5.75″; over 5′5″ it is 6.25–6.5″.
What is a large wrist size for a man?expand_more
On the MedlinePlus chart, men over 5′5″ have a large frame with a wrist over 7.5″ (19.05 cm).
Why does the chart not cover shorter men?expand_more
The published chart covers men over 5′5″ only. For shorter men, the ratio method still applies.
How do I convert wrist inches to cm?expand_more
Multiply inches by 2.54. For example, 6.25″ × 2.54 = 15.88 cm.