Updated: Dec 20, 2025
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To measure human wingspan, a person must extend their arms outward to the sides and hold them in a horizontal position. To achieve maximum arm length, the palms should face forward instead of downward.
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Distance is assessed from the tip of the longest digit of one hand (usually middle finger) to the tip of the longest digit on the opposite hand.
It should be noted that human wingspan is often used interchangeably with the terms “arm span” and “reach.”