Thigh Circumference

How to Measure a Thigh Circumference

• Measuring Mid Thigh Circumference

1. Stand Up Straight: Begin by standing with your feet hip-width apart and your weight evenly distributed on both legs.
2. Find the Midway Point: Measure the length of your leg from your knee to your hip bone. Then, find the midway point along your thigh.
3. Wrap the Tape Measure: Place the measuring tape at the top of one of your thighs, right below the buttocks. Wrap the tape around your thigh, ensuring it remains parallel to the floor.
4. Measure Both Legs: Remember to measure both legs, as they may differ slightly¹.

Measuring Thigh Circumference 5cm Above & 5cm Below Mid thigh

Measuring Thigh Circumference at Thickest Part

• Gather your tools: To measure your thigh circumference, you will need a soft tape measure, a pencil and a paper to record measurement.
• Stand up straight: Stand up straight and relax your leg.
• Measure your thigh: Wrap the tape measure around the thickest part of your thigh. This is usually right above the knee. Make sure that the tape measure is tight enough.

Ideal Mid-Thigh Circumference based on Height Age & Gender

Women

Ideal Thigh Circumference or Proportional Thigh Size for Women

There aren’t many standard proportions for the ideal thigh size in women. However, experts often correlate it with a woman’s height to maintain proportionality. Refer to the accompanying chart to determine the ideal thigh circumference based on a woman’s height.

20-29 years old	0.313 x height
30-39 years old	0.318 x height
40-49 years old	0.323 x height
50-59 years old	0.318 x height

Let’s perform a simple calculation to add more significance to these figures. The numbers provided are categorized according to your age; select the number corresponding to your age group and multiply it by your height. For example, if you are 65 inches tall and 35 years old, your ideal thigh size would be 65 multiplied by 0.318, which equals 20.67 inches.

• Average Female Thigh Size:
• According to a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the average female thigh circumference is around 20.8 inches (52.9 cm). Similar to males, female thigh size varies with age:
  • Women aged 20-29, 30-39, and 40-49 have an average thigh size of 21.7 inches.
  • Thigh circumference tends to decrease after age 50, with women aged 50-59 having 20.9 inch thighs.
  • By the age of 70, the average woman’s thigh measurement typically decreases to around 19.7 inches².

Absolute thigh size for women

Referencing the study mentioned earlier, we will examine the absolute thigh sizes for women by age.

Age in Yrs in Female	Average Mid Thigh Circumference		Mid Thigh Circumference Range
16 years old	50.0 cm	19.68 in	(43.5 cm – 57.3 cm)
17 years old	51.9 cm	20.43 in	(43.8 cm – 60.1 cm)
18 years old	52.1 cm	20.51 in	(43.5 cm – 63.2 cm)
19 years old	52.3 cm	20.59 in	(44.3 cm – 62.8 cm)
20-29 years old	52.9 cm	20.83 in	(42.2 cm – 69.1 cm)
30-39 years old	54.2 cm	21.34 in	(44.0 cm – 68.8 cm)
40-49 years old	54.4 cm	21.42 in	(43.7 cm – 70.2 cm)
50-59 years old	53.2 cm	20.94 in	(43.1 cm – 66.0 cm)
60-69 years old	52.2 cm	20.55 in	(40.2 cm – 62.0 cm)

Men

Proportional Thigh size for Men

While we talk about proportions in men, we generally look at these two numbers.

• 1.75 x larger than the knee
• 0.53 x chest

An ideal thigh size is proportionate, falling between the extremes of too skinny or overly large. If you prefer not to draw attention for having either very slim or excessively large legs, this middle ground may be considered the perfect size.

Many men aim to develop thighs that are proportionate to their bodies, and this can be determined using a specific proportional formula.

Average Male Thigh Size:

• Based on anthropometric reference data from the CDC, the average male thigh size across all ages is approximately 21.2 inches (53.8 cm). However, certain groups of men may have larger or smaller thighs. For example:
  • Men aged 20-29 have an average thigh size of 20.8 inches.
  • Male thigh size peaks at 21.4 inches between the ages of 40 and 49.
  • After middle age, the average male thigh circumference decreases².

Absolute thigh size for men

2008 anthropometric reference data from the CDC2 reveals men’s ideal thigh size, which changes with age. This data is collected from a sample size of more than four thousand men. Let’s look at these numbers age-wise.

Age in Yrs of Male	Average Mid-Thigh Circumference		Mid-Thigh Circumference Range
	cm	in	cm
16 years old	53.5	21.06	(45.6 cm – 64.2 cm)
17 years old	53.3	20.09	(45.5 cm – 63.8 cm)
18 years old	53.6	21.10	(45.0 cm – 63.0 cm)
19 years old	54.8	21.57	(45.9 cm – 65.3 cm)
20-29 years old	55.1	21.69	(45.4 cm – 68.6 cm)
30-39 years old	55.1	21.69	(46.7 cm – 65.0 cm)
40-49 years old	55.0	21.65	(46.8 cm – 65.0 cm)
50-59 years old	53.2	20.94	(44.4 cm – 63.1 cm)
60-69 years old	51.9	20.43	(43.7 cm – 60.9 cm)

The figures on the left represent the age range, whereas those on the right indicate the corresponding size range observed in individuals of that specific age group.

Significantly, these figures can fluctuate based on a man’s height, weight, and daily activities. For example, an athlete’s measurements might differ considerably.

Redirecting our conversation to the topic of a man’s average thigh size, it is generally considered to be between 23 to 26 inches.

How to Measure Your Thigh Length

• Gather your tools: To measure your thigh circumference, you will need a soft tape measure, a pencil and a paper to record measurement.
• Sit properly: Sit on a chair with your back straight and your legs extended in front of you.
• Measuring Thigh Length: Place the tape measure at the base of your thigh, where it meets your groin. Extend the tape measure down to the back of your knee.
• Record Measurement: Take the measurement and record it in centimetre or inches.