Education in Motion / Resources / Other Resources / Wheelchair Assessment Measuring Guide

Wheelchair Assessment Measuring Guide

Take it offline!

This Education in Motion resource is also available as a printable PDF.

Download PDF

Taking proper and accurate measurements of the client is an essential part of the seating and wheeled mobility equipment provision process. According to the document A Clinican Application Guide to Standardized Wheelchair Seating Measures of the Body and Seating Support Surfaces, Revised Edition (Waugh & Crane 2013), there are 36 linear body measures. However, which of the linear body measurements that need to be taken on a specific client may vary and depends on the complexity of the needs of the individual.

As with the entire wheelchair provision process, taking measurements should be considered a team effort. It is appropriate for both the clinician and the complex rehabilitation technology supplier to be involved in taking measurements. The client should be in the desired seated posture on a flat, firm surface with his/her feet on the floor or supported by a firm platform at the appropriate height while the measurements are being taken. The measurements should be taken without compressing the body and include the soft tissue. Use firm measuring tools such as hard measuring tape, measuring stick, or calipers for increased accuracy.

The Wheelchair Assessment Measuring Guide below highlights 14 of the most commonly used measures.

Download the Wheelchair Assessment Measuring Guide

Please refer to the Helpful Links section for access to a downloadable PDF of the Clinical Applications Guide, which includes a definition and description of all of the linear measurements.


Clinical Support Information Citations

  1. Buck, S. N. (2009). More than 4 wheels: Applying clinical practice to seating, mobility, and assistive technology. Milton, ON: Therapy Now!
  2. Lange, M. L., & Minkel, J. (2017). Seating and wheeled mobility: A clinical resource guide. Thorofare, NJ: Slack Incorporated.
  3. Spinal Seating Modules. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aci.health.nsw.gov.au/networks/spinal-cord-injury/spinal-seating
  4. Waugh, K. & Crane, B. (2013). A Clinical Application Guide to Standardized Wheelchair Seating Measures of the Body and Seating Support Surfaces. University of Colorado/Assistive Technology Partners.
  5. Zollars, J. A. (2010). Special seating: An illustrated guide. Albuquerque, NM: Prickly Pear Publications.

Published: 2019-02-15


DISCLAIMER: FOR PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY. THIS WEBSITE (AND THE DOCUMENTS REFERENCED HEREIN) DO NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Sunrise Medical (CA) LLC ("Sunrise") does not provide clinician services. The information contained on this website (and the documents referenced herein), including, but not limited to, the text, graphics, images, and descriptions, are for informational purposes only and should be utilized as a general resource for clinicians and suppliers to then use clinical reasoning skills to determine optimal seating and mobility solutions for individual patients. No material on this website (or any document referenced herein) is intended to be used as (or a substitute for) professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard your professional medical training when providing medical advice or treatment because of something you have read on this website (or any document referenced herein). Clinicians should review this (and any other materials) carefully and confirm information contained herein with other sources. Reliance on this website (and the information contained herein) is solely at your own risk.