Standard Wheelchair Measurements
| Measurement | Average size (inches) | Procedures (Item # on W/C Seating Form - ... | Confirmation of Fit |
| Seat Height | 19.5-20.5 | 11, 12 (add 2" for foot rests) | Foot plate 2" from floor; 2-3 fingers fi ... |
| Seat Depth | 16 | 5, (subtract 2" to avoid pressure behind ... | 2-3 fingers fit between front seat edge ... |
| Seat Width | 18 | 10 | Easily slide hands between thighs and cl ... |
| Back Height | 16-16.5 | 3, (subtract 4") | 4 fingers fit under axilla and above uph ... |
What is the size of a standard wheelchair?
What is the Standard Wheelchair Size? The most common standard wheelchair widths are 16, 18, and 20 inches. Adult sizes are available in children’s in 8. Seats with a width of 28 and wider are available for adults with larger bodies.
What is the typical width of a wheelchair?
There are different types of wheelchairs to surf for different purposes and all of them have different widths. An average wheelchair width varies from 24 inches to 30 inches. Another wheelchair like a lightweight wheelchair has a width of 16 to 20 inches. A heavyweight wheelchair has a width of 25 to 35 inches.
What is the average height of wheelchair?
Standard seat-to-floor height for a wheelchair is 18" to 20". Hemi-Height is 17.5 to 18.5- inches and varies somewhat with manufacturers. Anything lower to the ground is either a "super" or "ultra" Hemi. In some cases to achieve a lower seat-to-floor height the rear wheels are changed from the standard 24-inch to either a 22 or 20-inch.
What is the standard chair seat height?
Therefore, primarily the height of the seat should be adjustable. Besides this, the standard height of the chair ranges somewhere between 16 to 21 inches from the floor. Thus, this standard seat height supports appropriate posture for the worker.
What is the seat size of a standard wheelchair?
Common wheelchair seat widths: Standard widths for wheelchairs are 16" (narrow adult), 18" (standard adult) and 20" (wide adult). Smaller widths as narrow as 8" are available for children or really small adults and wider seat widths up to 28" and beyond are available for wider adults.
How do people in wheelchairs measure their height?
Seat Height; Determined by the height of the individual and if the wheelchair is self-propelled. When using the feet to propel, the seat height should allow for them to reach the floor with their heel. Those using footrests have higher seat heights. It is measured from the user's heel to the popliteal fold.
How high should the back of a wheelchair be?
The average wheelchair back height is 16 inches. The backrest height will ultimately depend on the user, if they have trouble sitting upright, they might want a lower back. If they want to push themselves around in their wheelchair, they will probably prefer a lower back so their arms can move freely.
Are all wheelchairs the same height?
Regular wheelchairs don't vary much in height selection and is usually 19″ to 20″ high. For lightweight and custom wheelchairs, the heights can vary from as low as 14″ up to as high as 21″.
How tall is the average person in a chair?
Different office chairs have different ranges, though measured from floor to the seat, the typical range is from 16” to 22” (41cm to 56cm)....Standard Office Chair Height.Chair ModelSupported HeightSteelcase Leap15.5 – 20.5″Steelcase Gesture16 – 21″ErgoHuman Eurotech17- 21”Haworth Zody Chair14 – 21”3 more rows•Jul 18, 2019
What is the average height of the back of a chair?
As for the back of the chair, the standard height is between 32 to 34 inches, but you'll see a lot more variation in the back heights than you will seat heights.
Why are wheelchairs low back?
Lower backs enable a good range of upper-extremity motion and allow some rotation of the trunk as well. High (or “tall”) backs provide much more intensive support and can be the better choice for patients who need that assistance — for instance, SCI patients with quadriplegia.
Why are wheelchairs high back?
High-back reclining wheelchairs can assist individuals who need extra support due to poor trunk stability, respiratory difficulties, severe multiple sclerosis, severe arthritis, quadriplegia, or muscular dystrophy.
How do you measure patient height?
While the patient is still on the scale, tell the patient to stand erect. Then raise the measuring bar until it touches the top of the patient's head. Extend the horizontal bar, and lower the bar until it touches the top of the patient's head. Read the patient's height.
How do you measure height in bedridden?
Knee height is correlated with stature and, until recently, was the preferred method for estimating height in bedridden patients. Knee height is measured using a sliding broad-blade caliper. A device designed for this purpose is commercially available. The patient's height is then estimated using a standard formula.
How do I measure myself for a wheelchair?
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.
How do you measure height on someone who can't stand?
The person helping can either place a flat straight object flat on the head and mark the wall, as before, or simply hold a pencil flat against the top of the person's head and mark the wall directly. Measure the distance from the floor to the spot on the wall to find out the height.
How to determine the overall width of a wheelchair?
Note about "Overall Wheelchair Width": For most folding standard weight and lightweight wheelchairs the overall width of the chair (outside wheel to outside wheel) is determined by adding 8" to the seat width. Transport chairs generally add 0-3" to seat width, depending on wheelchair model.
What do you need to know when measuring a wheelchair?
If measuring for a standard wheelchair you will simply need to know the users seat width and depth. When measuring for a Custom or Rehab wheelchair, seat width, seat depth, back height, and seat-to-floor height are crucial to configuring the wheelchair correctly.
How wide is a standard wheelchair?
Standard wheelchair with 18" wide seat would be: 18" seat width + 8" = 26" overall width).
How to measure seat width?
An easy way to measure seat width is to place a book on each side of the hips while seated then measure the distance between the books. You might allow an additional inch if the user wears a heavy coat in the winter.
What is a super hemi?
Anything lower to the ground is either a " super " or " ultra " Hemi. In some cases to achieve a lower seat-to-floor height the rear wheels are changed from the standard 24-inch to either a 22 or 20-inch. The front casters are also changed from a standard 8-inch to a 6 or 5-inch.
How to measure back height?
Back height. Measure this from the top of the shoulders down to the bottom of the back-side when sitting on a flat surface. See "B" below:
Who needs to measure wheelchair seat width?
Who needs to measure? Measuring for Transport Wheelchair, standard wheelchairs and most lightweight wheelchairs need only the seat width & depth. In some cases, for those patients wanting to propel the chair with their feet, the seat-to-floor height.
Manual Wheelchairs
A manual wheelchair is one that is operated manually and doesn’t need any electricity to operate. These wheelchairs can be operated by the user himself but you can also use them with caregivers or attendants.
Electric Wheelchairs
An electric wheelchair is very famous and one of the most usable in the market. Most people preferred electric wheelchairs over a manual because they provide ease to use them and don’t need any caregiver to push them around.
Standard Wheelchair
A standard wheelchair is like the basic wheelchair known by most people. This wheelchair has a big rear wheelchair and small front wheels which make it suitable and self-propelling. The wheelchair features push handles which help the caregivers and attendants to use it.
Transport Wheelchair
A transport wheelchair is used with a wheelchair attendant. This wheelchair is designed for those who can use or propel their wheelchair on their own which is why a caregiver needs to be there for their help.
Airplane Wheelchairs
These wheelchairs are specially designed for limited space which is airplanes. These wheelchairs are the best solution for your mobility in that limited space. You can’t take your normal wheelchair to the airplane. You just need to ask the airport crew for a wheelchair and they will provide a wheelchair.
Sports Wheelchair
These wheelchairs are normally manual wheelchairs and they are designed to absorb heavyweight and fast movements. There are a lot of sports and each of them has its own style of wheelchairs for its users. like basketball, wheelchairs are different than hockey wheelchairs. All of these sport wheelchair types and sizes are different than one another.
Beach Wheelchairs
A beach wheelchair is basically designed to move smoothly and freely on the sand. These wheelchairs are the same as other wheelchairs but have big and thin wheels which provide smooth rolling on the sand with or without a caregiver.
What to Consider When Resizing a Doorway for Wheelchair Users?
As we already explained, the standard wheelchair width for doors is 32 inches, per ADA’s guidelines.
What Is the Minimum Clear Floor Space Required for a Wheelchair?
Well, it’s essential for wheelchair users because it guarantees that they can approach an object. Think bathrooms, fountains, tables, etc.
Why are foldable chairs narrow?
To provide better maneuverability through narrow doorways, foldable chairs are usually narrow than the standard wheelchair size and lighter.
What is the difference between electric wheelchairs and manual wheelchairs?
Electric wheelchairs have a different width than standard manual ones.
How wide is the ADA wheelchair door?
Simply put, ADA’s regulations call for a 32-inch wide opening so that wheelchair users can pass through doors with enough clearance to avoid hitting the walls.
How high should a floor be for a parallel approach?
For a parallel approach, you need a maximum of 54 inches of high side reach and a minimum of 9 inches above the floor.
How much floor space is needed for a wheelchair?
The minimum clear floor space required for a wheelchair 30 in by 48 in (760 mm by 1220 mm). This space might be positioned for a forward or parallel approach to the object.
How long does it take to get a wheelchair fitted?
The time to complete a prior authorization can take days to months. If the patient's medical plan does not find that the wheelchair prescription is medically necessary, the wheelchair will be denied for insurance eligibility. If approved delivery can take up to 3-4 months depending on customization needs.
Can a wheelchair be financially inaccessible?
Therefore the most appropriate wheelchair may remain financially inaccessible. Financial limitations may also prevent or limit modifications to the home setting to allow for wheelchair access. PTs and PTAs must be sensitive to external factors which limit optimal wheelchair prescriptions, and should advocate (through documentation and other communication) for systems and resources for wheelchair users to move freely and safely at home and in the community
Who completes a wheelchair assessment?
Depending on the setting and the patient's needs, OT, case management/case worker, and the wheelchair vendor will collaboratively complete the assessment.
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How to measure seat depth?
Seat Depth. Take a measurement of the length of your leg from the back of your hip to the back of your knee. Subtract one inch. This is a good indication of the seat depth you’ll need to sit comfortably in the chair.
How wide is a wheelchair?
Instead, what you find is that wheelchairs tend to exist in a range from about 21” in the case of the smallest transport chairs, to 40” for some heavy-duty bariatric chairs. While these numbers are a good starting point, there are a number of other measurements you’ll want to keep in mind as you evaluate your options. Below, we’ll give you the full scoop!
What is the standard size of a doorway?
Typically, interior doorways measure 23-27,” which means that many doorways are too narrow for most wheelchairs to fit comfortably through.
How wide should a door be?
If your home is equipped with doorways that meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines, they’ll be at least 32” wide, in which case you’ll have a much easier time navigating through your house.
How tall is a big chair?
The Big and Tall chair height range starts at 18” and goes up to 22” or higher.
Do wheelchairs have ergonomic support?
Although most wheelchairs don ’t offer any kind of ergonomic support , the mere existence of a properly sized seatback will help you sit more comfortably for extended periods. Take a measure from your shoulder blades to the base of your spine to get a feel for how high the seatback should be.
