How To Determine Proper Fit In a Wheelchair

Making sure their wheelchair fits comfortably is critical to one's health.

With such high, and growing incidences of mobile disability, we should make sure that those who rely on a wheelchair to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are comfortably fit to the chair.

Proper fit can favorably impact:

Man in wheelchair performing a wheelie and smiling at camera surrounded by a fall background
Tim Kitchen / Getty Images

How to Determine Wheelchair Fit

Measure Seat Width and Depth

  • Determine seat width by measuring the person's hips from one side to the other, in a straight line. Then add two inches to this measurement to select a proper wheelchair seat width.
  • Determine seat depth by measuring from the back of the hip to the back of the knee of the person while seated. Then, subtract one inch from this measurement to choose the correct seat depth.

Select the Arm Type and Height

  • Full-Length Wheelchair Arms: These are best-suited for people who will be frequently doing stand-up pivot transfers. The full-length arm provides the proper support a person needs to help push themselves up to stand.
  • Desk-Length Wheelchair Arms: These are recommended when a wheelchair-bound person will want to be comfortable while sitting at a desk or table. The shorter arms allow them to get closer to the table's edge.
  • Arm Height: The height of the wheelchair arm can vary. Measure from the elbow to the seat of the chair while the person is holding their arms up with their elbows bent at a ninety-degree angle. When available, height-adjustable arms are recommended.

Footrest Style

  • Elevating Leg Rests: People who suffer from edema, swelling, or injury and are ordered by their doctor to elevate their leg(s) should sit in a wheelchair that has leg rests that can lock while elevated, allowing the person to extend and elevate the legs.
  • To determine the length of the footrest, measure the distance from the back of the person's knee to the heel of their foot.
  • Articulating Leg Rests: These are useful for taller people. The leg rests can extend longer, while the elevating piece of the leg rest rises.

Back Height

  • Have the person sit in the wheelchair, then measure the distance from the person's collarbone down to the seat.
  • For patients with a condition that requires additional back support, there are options for higher back rests, and even reclining back rests, which will allow a doctor to prescribe the appropriate weight redistribution that some patients may require.

Wheelchair Seat Height

  • If the person needs to use their feet at any point to propel themselves in the chair or move, than measure the distance from the back of the knee to the heel. The seat height should allow for the person to reach the floor with their heels.

Weight Considerations

  • Wheelchairs are built to accommodate certain weight limits. Make sure you know the person's weight so that you can fit them to a wheelchair that can safely support them.
  • Some people in wheelchairs fold up their own chairs and place them in their cars so that they can travel in a regular car seat. In fact, many people who use wheelchairs still have the ability to drive. Therefore, take into account the person's upper body strength when selecting a wheelchair. Weaker patients will require lighter wheelchairs.
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Visagie S, Mlambo T, van der Veen J, Nhunzvi C, Tigere D, Scheffler E. Impact of structured wheelchair services on satisfaction and function of wheelchair users in ZimbabweAfr J Disabil. 2016;5(1):222. doi:10.4102/ajod.v5i1.222

By Brian Carmody
Brian Carmody was a Lieutenant and Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, Brian trained for the delivery of medical care and supplies within the chaos of a battlefield, as well as within the structured organization of a military medical center. After his Active Duty service ended, Brian moved to the pharmaceutical industry and in the healthcare furniture, equipment, and supply distribution industry.