To size a walking cane, measure from the floor to your wrist crease while standing in shoes; aim for a gentle 15–20° elbow bend.
Getting the length right turns a wobbly aid into a steady partner. The goal is comfort, balance, and a natural gait without shrugging a shoulder or hunching a hip. Below you’ll find quick methods, step-by-step directions, and fixes for common quirks like leg-length differences, thick-soled shoes, and stair use. You’ll finish with a number you can set on an adjustable model or give to a shop when trimming wood.
Measure Cane Size At Home: Step-By-Step
Put on the shoes you use most. Stand tall, arms loose at your sides. Have a helper place a tape at the floor beside your foot. Find the crease across the wrist on the side that will hold the aid. Read the distance from floor to that crease. That number is your target length. When you grip a handle set to this height, your elbow should rest in a gentle bend, about 15–20 degrees. If a scale or mirror helps you stand naturally, use it. Avoid stiffening the shoulder or locking the knees.
Why The Wrist-Crease Rule Works
The crease aligns near the radial styloid—the bony bump at the wrist. Setting handle height to this level places force close to your body and keeps the shoulder relaxed. It also promotes that small elbow bend that eases shock with each step. Clinical guides echo this approach and mention the same elbow angle target, so you can trust the method when fitting at home.
Quick Methods Compared
Short on time? Use the table to pick a measuring path that fits your situation. The first option gives the most exact fit. The others are backups when a helper or tape measure isn’t handy.
| Method | When To Use | Quick Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Floor-To-Wrist Crease | Best accuracy; any style | Stand in shoes, arms relaxed; measure floor to wrist crease; set length to that number |
| Existing Stick Check | Replacing a favorite | Measure from top of handle to bottom of tip; match that length on the new one |
| Height-Based Estimate | No helper or tape | Use half of body height as a rough start; fine-tune by wrist-crease check later |
Set The Length On Different Styles
Adjustable Aluminum Or Carbon
Loosen the collar, press the push-button, and slide the shaft until the button clicks into the hole that matches your target length. Tighten the collar so there’s no rattle. Test the elbow bend. If you swap between sneakers and boots, mark two holes with a tiny dot so you can switch fast.
Wooden Models
Mark the target length from the top of the handle to the floor. Remove the rubber tip. Score around the cut line with a fine saw to prevent splinters. Cut slowly. Re-install a fresh rubber tip. Recheck the elbow bend. If you’re unsure, take off less than you think; you can trim again, but you can’t add wood back.
Offset And Derby Handles
Offset shafts place the hand directly above the tube, which can feel steady for daily use. Derby shapes curve for palm comfort. The length rule is the same: match the handle crest to the wrist crease, then confirm the bend at the elbow. If hand pain limits grip, look for an ergonomic palm style and keep the same length target.
Test The Fit In Motion
Walk on a flat surface. Grip should feel light, not clenched. Shoulder stays level; no shrug on the cane side. Hips stay even; no side lean. If the elbow bend is less than 10 degrees, shorten one notch. If the bend feels deep and you’re sinking on the handle, lengthen one notch. Tiny tweaks—about 1–2 cm or a half inch—make a clear difference.
Which Hand To Use
Hold the aid in the hand opposite the leg that needs help. That pairing lets the device and the weaker leg move together, sharing load without twisting your back. During a step, plant the stick and the weaker leg at the same time, then step through with the other leg. Keep the tip close to your foot; far-out planting drags you off balance.
Grip Shapes And Comfort
Crook handles hang easily on a hook but aren’t the most wrist-friendly for long walks. Derby and anatomical grips place the palm in a neutral spot and spread pressure. Palm-specific grips help if you live with thumb base pain. Try a few shapes if your hand aches after ten minutes. Switch the handle if needed; many models allow it. The correct length still applies once changed.
Common Fitting Mistakes
Setting Length Without Shoes
Thick soles add height. If you measured barefoot and later wear boots, the elbow bend will shrink and the shoulder may rise. Always fit in everyday footwear.
Chasing Tall Posture With Extra Length
Raising the handle to “stand taller” leads to a locked elbow and a lifted shoulder. That strains the neck and dulls shock absorption. Stick to the wrist-crease mark and the easy bend.
Shortening Too Much For Stairs
Some users cut down to feel nimble. A tiny reduction may help on steps, but big cuts push the trunk to the side. Use standard height for level ground and practice safe step patterns instead.
Safe Practice On Stairs
On ascent: step up with the stronger leg, then bring the stick and the weaker leg to the same step. On descent: plant the stick on the lower step, move the weaker leg down, then the stronger leg joins. Take your time. Keep the tip pointed straight and fully on the tread. If steps feel tricky, ask a therapist to spot you and coach your pattern.
Quad Bases And Specialty Tips
Four-footed bases stand on their own and add ground contact. Length still matches the wrist crease. Keep the wide side of the base away from your foot to avoid clipping your shoe. Replace worn rubber tips before tread goes smooth; fresh rubber grabs the floor better, especially on tile.
Fine-Tuning For Body Differences
Long Torso Or Short Arms
The wrist-crease rule still works. If your bend lands under 10 degrees even at that setting, trim one notch and retest gait. Comfort wins over a strict number.
One Leg Shorter
Set length while standing on your usual shoe lift. If you use different shoes day to day, mark two settings on an adjustable shaft and match the footwear.
Post-Op Soreness Or Flare-Ups
On bad days you might favor the handle more. A tiny increase in length can ease the back if you notice a deep elbow bend. Reverse the tweak once the flare eases.
When A Professional Fit Helps
If you’ve had falls, spine surgery, or nerve issues, book a short session with a clinician. A skilled set-up checks strength, balance, and stair skill. You’ll get length, grip, and side selection dialed in and leave with a safe step pattern.
Trusted Guides For Reference
You can cross-check the wrist-crease method and elbow angle with a respected clinical explainer. See the Cleveland Clinic cane sizing overview for the same steps and elbow bend target. For a broad clinical lens on assistive devices, the American Family Physician review outlines selection and fit across common devices. Use these as a double-check while you follow the steps here.
Height-To-Length Quick Reference
Charts are only a starting place. Measure floor-to-wrist to confirm. If you stand between sizes, round up to the next half inch and test the elbow bend.
| User Height (With Shoes) | Rough Cane Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5’0″–5’2″ | 27″–29″ | Adjust to reach wrist crease |
| 5’3″–5’5″ | 29″–31″ | Confirm 15–20° elbow bend |
| 5’6″–5’8″ | 30″–32″ | Boots may add a notch |
| 5’9″–5’11” | 31″–33″ | Mark two holes if shoe height varies |
| 6’0″–6’2″ | 32″–34″ | Test on stairs before trimming wood |
| 6’3″–6’5″ | 34″–36″ | Consider extra-long models if needed |
Care And Maintenance
Check the rubber tip each month. If the tread feels slick or the edge looks rounded, replace it. A new tip can add grip on tile and asphalt. Inspect the collar on adjustable shafts; tighten if it loosens. Wipe dirt from the tube and handle so your grip stays steady.
When Length Feels Right
Your shoulder stays level as you walk. Your elbow rests in a small bend. The tip lands close to your foot. You feel steady without pressing down hard. Stairs feel smooth with the patterns noted above. If any of these falter, tweak the length a notch and retest on the same floor.
Simple Fitting Checklist
- Shoes on, arms relaxed, stand tall
- Measure floor to wrist crease on the cane side
- Set length to that number; confirm a gentle elbow bend
- Pick the hand opposite the weaker leg
- Plant tip close to the foot; step with a smooth rhythm
- Practice safe stair patterns for up and down
- Recheck length when shoe height changes
- Swap worn tips and tighten collars
Buying Tips That Match Your Number
For frequent use, pick an adjustable shaft so small changes are quick. If you love wood, buy a model longer than needed and trim to fit. Choose a grip that suits your palm size and any thumb base pain. If you often stand on slick tile, consider a wide-base tip. If travel matters, folding shafts slip in a bag yet still set to your mark.
What To Do Next
Grab a tape and a helper, take that floor-to-wrist reading, and set your handle to match. Walk a room, tweak a notch if needed, and you’re set. Keep this number handy in your phone so you can match it when buying online or trimming a new stick.