BP LogBlood pressure cuff size finder
Measure around your upper arm and find the cuff size the AHA lists for it: small adult, adult, large adult or adult thigh.
Find your cuff size
Measure around the bare upper arm, halfway between the shoulder and the elbow, with a soft tape measure.
Your cuff size will show here.
| Cuff | Arm (cm) | Arm (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Small adult | 22 to 26 | 8.7 to 10.2 |
| Adult | 27 to 34 | 10.6 to 13.4 |
| Large adult | 35 to 44 | 13.8 to 17.3 |
| Adult thigh | 45 to 52 | 17.7 to 20.5 |
How to measure your arm
- Use a soft tape measure on a bare arm, relaxed at your side.
- Find the midpoint between the bony tip of your shoulder and your elbow.
- Wrap the tape around the arm at that point, snug but not squeezing, and read the measurement.
- If you do not have a tape, wrap a piece of string around your arm, mark it, and measure the string with a ruler.
Measure the arm you will use for readings. Many monitors come with an adult cuff; large adult and extra-large cuffs are usually sold separately.
Where the sizes come from
The ranges are the adult cuff sizes in the AHA scientific statement on blood pressure measurement: small adult for arms of 22 to 26 cm, adult for 27 to 34 cm, large adult for 35 to 44 cm, and adult thigh for 45 to 52 cm. Measurements in inches are converted at 2.54 cm per inch. Our guide on how to measure blood pressure at home covers the rest of the routine.
Common questions
Does cuff size really change the reading?
Yes. A cuff that is too small tends to read too high, and one that is too large can read too low. Using the right size is one of the simplest ways to make home readings more accurate.
What if I am between two sizes?
The AHA ranges are whole centimeters, and this tool places a measurement in the range it rounds into. If you sit right at the edge, check the range printed on the cuff itself, and ask your pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure.
Are wrist monitors okay if an arm cuff does not fit?
Upper-arm cuffs are preferred. If no arm cuff fits, a validated wrist monitor used with the wrist at heart level can be an option; talk it over with your doctor.
- Muntner P, et al. Measurement of Blood Pressure in Humans: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (Hypertension, 2019): How to measure; home protocol of 2 readings a minute apart, morning and evening, for 7 days; cuff sizes by arm circumference; white coat and masked hypertension definitions; home 130/80 corresponds to office 130/80
- Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (American Heart Association, reviewed August 14, 2025): Two readings one minute apart; same time each day; rest 5 minutes first; validated upper-arm cuff; what to do with a reading above 180/120
The free iPhone app times two readings a minute apart, averages them, keeps your morning and evening numbers apart, and builds a report for your doctor.
Other ways to track: desktop, Excel and printable logs