How to measure your wrist crease height
Stand upright on a hard floor in the shoes you usually walk in, arms hanging relaxed at your sides. Ask someone to measure from the floor straight up to the crease on the inside of your wrist. That number is the handle height. American Family Physician and NHS physiotherapy leaflets describe this same method.
If you cannot stand upright safely, do not measure alone. Ask a physiotherapist to set the height with you.
- Wear your usual walking shoes.
- Keep the shoulders level and the arms straight but relaxed.
- Measure the side you will hold the aid on.
Why we do not use body height
Some online calculators multiply body height by a fixed ratio. Arm and leg proportions vary too much for that to be reliable, and we found no clinical source that recommends it. The wrist crease method measures the person directly, which is why clinicians use it.
Holding and checking the aid
A cane is normally held on the side opposite the weaker or painful leg, moving forward together with that leg. With the handle at wrist crease height, the elbow bends slightly, about 15 to 30 degrees, so you can push down without hunching or lifting the shoulder.
For a rollator or frame, set both handles to the same height and check that you walk inside the frame rather than pushing it far ahead. A rollator suits people who do not need to lean their full weight on it; it is not a substitute for a frame if your balance is very unsteady.
- Shoulder rising or arm straight: the handle is too high.
- Leaning forward or elbow bent sharply: the handle is too low.
- Recheck after changing shoes or after a change in mobility.
When to get a professional fitting
Get advice from a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or your doctor if you have had a fall, feel unsteady, are recovering from surgery or need to put a lot of weight through the aid. They can also tell you which kind of aid suits you.
Questions
How do I know what height my cane should be?
Stand upright in your usual shoes with your arms relaxed and measure from the floor to the crease of your wrist. Set the top of the cane handle to that height. When you hold it, your elbow should bend slightly, about 15 to 30 degrees.
Is a walker or rollator set the same way?
Yes. The handle grips of a walking frame or rollator are set to wrist crease height too, with both sides at the same height. You should be able to stand upright inside the frame with a slight bend at the elbows.
Can I work out cane height from my body height?
Not reliably. Calculators that multiply body height by a fixed number ignore differences in arm and leg length, and we found no clinical source recommending that method. Measuring the wrist crease height directly takes one minute and is what clinicians use.
What if my cane is between two height settings?
Choose the setting closest to your wrist crease height and check the elbow bend while walking. If neither setting feels right, a cane that can be cut to length or a different model may fit better; a physiotherapist can help you decide.