Blood pressure cuff size guide: how to measure your arm

Cuff fit is part of measurement technique. A cuff that is too small or too large for your upper arm can make readings less reliable, even when you sit perfectly still.

Measure around the upper arm

Use a flexible tape measure around the middle of your bare upper arm, roughly halfway between your shoulder and elbow. Keep the tape level and comfortably snug without squeezing the skin. Write the measurement down in centimetres.

Use the cuff size guide for a quick starting range, then check the exact range printed on your monitor's cuff or manual. Brands do not all use the same labels or boundaries.

Check the cuff before measuring

• Put the cuff on bare skin rather than over clothing.
• Place its lower edge where the instructions show, usually just above the elbow bend.
• Use the artery marker and tube direction shown by the manufacturer.
• Make sure the cuff is secure but not painfully tight.
• Keep your arm supported at heart level.

Some monitors use a wide-range or pre-formed cuff. That does not remove the need to confirm that your arm circumference is within the stated range.

What if your measurement is between sizes?

Follow the manufacturer's range first. If you are close to a boundary, take the monitor and cuff to a pharmacist or healthcare appointment and ask someone to check the fit. Do not assume that a cuff labelled “adult” fits every adult arm.

The how to measure at home guide covers the rest of the routine. Keeping the same cuff and position also makes readings easier to compare over time.

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Sources

• American Heart Association and American Medical Association: How to Measure Your Blood Pressure at Home
• ValidateBP: Blood Pressure Cuff Guide
• American Medical Association: Self-measured blood pressure

Sources last checked 25 September 2026.