How Is Hand Size Measured In The NFL?

The NFL requires that all players’ hand sizes be measured during the scouting combine. Here’s how it’s done.

The Process

There are a few ways that hand size is measured in the NFL. The most common way is to use a ruler or a tape measure. The player will extend his hand out, palm facing down, and the measurement will be taken from the tip of the middle finger to the bottom of the palm.

The Official Measurement

The Official Measurement
When NFL scouts go to measure a player’s hand size, they use what’s called a “hand check.” A hand check is conducted with a ruler at the combine while the player is sitting down. The combine staff will start by having the player spread his fingers as wide as possible, then will slide the ruler onto the middle of the player’s palm and measure from the base of his palm to the tip of his middle finger. That number is then rounded off to the nearest ⅛th of an inch. So if a player measures 9⅛ inches, his hand size will be recorded as 9 inches.

The Unofficial Measurement

There are a few ways to measure hand size, but the unofficial way that is most commonly used in the NFL is the “span” measurement. To do this, you simply hold your hand out in front of you and measure from the tip of your thumb to the tip of your pinky finger when they are extended. This is generally the measurement that is taken when scouts are looking at hand size, as it gives them a good idea of how big a player’s hands actually are.

The Results

The average NFL player’s hand size is 9.3 inches. The average NFL quarterback’s hand size is 9.6 inches. The average NFL linebacker’s hand size is 10.1 inches. The average NFL offensive lineman’s hand size is 10.4 inches. The average NFL defensive lineman’s hand size is 10.7 inches.

The Official Results

Duplicate measurements were made on each player by two different people using two different Yardsticks. The average of the two Yardstick readings was then used as the player’s official measurement. If there was a big discrepancy between the two readings, a third reading was taken and averaged in with the other two. Players who were injured and could not participate were given an official measurement based on their height and weight.

The Unofficial Results

Although the official results aren’t in yet, we can take a look at the unofficial results of the hand size measurements from the NFL Combine. Here’s a quick rundown of the top performers in each category:

Offensive linemen:
1. Mekhi Becton, Louisville – 11.875 inches
2. Saahdiq Charles, LSU – 10.875 inches
3. Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama – 10.75 inches
4. Josh Jones, Houston – 10.625 inches
5. Lucas Niang, TCU – 10.5 inches
6. Austin Jackson, USC – 9.875 inches
7. Trey Adams, Washington – 9.75 inches
8. Cesar Ruiz, Michigan – 9.625 inches
9. Damien Lewis, LSU – 9 inch