This calculator is for general information and education. It is not medical advice and does not replace the judgment of a doctor, nurse or pharmacist who knows the full clinical picture.
Hand grip strength, measured with a hand dynamometer, is a simple marker of overall muscle strength. Low grip strength is linked with disability, longer hospital stays and higher mortality, and it is the first step in diagnosing sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle strength and mass.
How grip strength is measured
- Sit with the elbow bent at 90 degrees and the forearm and wrist in a neutral position (the Southampton protocol).
- Adjust the handle of the dynamometer to the size of the hand.
- Squeeze as hard as possible for about three seconds.
- Do three attempts with each hand, alternating, and keep the best result.
Most dynamometers display kilograms; some show pounds (1 kg = 2.2 lb).
Cutoffs for low strength
| Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|
| EWGSOP2 (Europe, 2019) | under 27 kg (60 lb) | under 16 kg (35 lb) |
| FNIH (United States) | under 26 kg | under 16 kg |
| AWGS (Asia, 2019) | under 28 kg | under 18 kg |
Grip strength peaks around age 30 to 40, at roughly 50 kg in men and 30 kg in women on average in large UK data, and then declines slowly.
Example
A man whose best attempts are 70 lb with the right hand and 64 lb with the left has a grip strength of 70 lb, or 31.8 kg, which is 18% above the 27 kg cutoff. The 9% difference between his hands is within the usual range.
Probable sarcopenia
In the EWGSOP2 algorithm, low grip strength (or a slow chair stand test) means probable sarcopenia. The diagnosis is confirmed by measuring muscle mass, for example with DXA or bioimpedance, and severity is graded with physical performance tests such as gait speed.
Asymmetry
The dominant hand is often slightly stronger, but a difference of more than about 10% between the hands has been associated with poorer function and higher risk of disability in older adults, even when the stronger hand is above the cutoff.
Building strength
Resistance training two to three times a week, enough protein (often 1 to 1.2 g per kg of body weight a day in older adults) and staying active are the main ways to preserve muscle. Hand exercises improve grip but do not replace whole-body training.