Study of the measurements and capabilities of the

human body and its movement.

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Human
Measure
1. Static Anthropometry - measurement of body sizes at rest and
when using devices such as chairs, tables, beds, mobility devices
and so on.
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2. Functional Anthropometry – measurement of capabilities related

to completion of task, reaching, maneuvering motion and other
aspects.
 The study of people and their relationship with
environment around them.
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– Work
– Laws
“The laws of work”
Vertical distance from the floor
to the top of the head (Vertex)

 Min. Heights of openings

 Min. heights of overhead
obstructions
Vertical distance from the floor
to the inner corner of the eye.

 Sight lines
 Signage placement
 Height of privacy screens/partitions
 Standing control panels
Distance measured vertically
from the floor to the
depression forms at the elbow.

 Height of work counters/ kitchen

counters
 Vanities, other works surfaces use
while standing.
Maximum distance across the
body including arms.

 Passage clearances
 Aisle widths
 Corridor widths
 Doorway widths
Horizontal distance between
the vertical lines tangent to
the most interior and
posterior points on the trunk.

 Queuing Spaces.
 Equipment design
Distance from wall to the tip of the
thumb measured with the subjects
shoulder against the wall, his arm
extended forward and his finger
touching the tip of his thumb.

 Shelling over a work counter

 Cabinets
Distance from the centerline of the
body to the outside surface of a bar
grasped in the right hand while the
subjects stands erect and the arm is
conveniently outreached horizontally
without discomfort or strain.

 Equipment Design
 Specialized spaces like hospital interior and
laboratories.
 When seated, bookshelf located to the side.
Measured from floor to the top of a bar
grasped in the right hand while the
subject stands erect and the hand is
within which the bard is grasped is
raised as high as it can be..

 Maximum heights for switches, controls level

handles.
 Shelves height
 Grip handles in trains, bus, etc.
Horizontal distance from the base of
the heel to a wall against which the
subject sits erect with his leg.
Maximally extended forward along the
sitting surface.

 Space requirements for chair and ottoman

 Lounge and informal seating arrangement
.
Horizontal distance from the
rearmost surface of the buttocks
to the front of the knee caps

 Distance from the back of a seat to any

physical obstruction located in front of seat.
 Fixed seating theaters, auditoriums, places of
worship.
Horizontal distance from the rearmost
surface of the buttock to the back of
the lower leg.

 Seating design, particularly seat depths

and vertical surfaces of the front of
benches
Vertical distance from the floor to
the underside of the thigh
immediately behind the knee.

 Seat height from the floor, particularly

the highest point on the front of the
seat.
Vertical distance from the floor
to the midpoint of the knee
cap.

 Distance from floor to underside of

desk
 Car dashboard
Vertical distance from sitting
surface to the top of the thigh at
its intersection with the abdomen.

 Table and chair height relationships

 Height of drawers below the desk.
Breadth of the body measured
across the widest portion of the
hips, maybe measured sitting or
standing.

 Allowances for inside chair width

dimensions
 Stool seating
 Turnstile aisles.
Distance across the lateral surface
elbow measured with elbows flexed
and resting lightly against the body with
the forearms extended horizontally..

 Allowances for sittings around conferences

tables
 Dining tables.
Maximum horizontal distance
across the deltoid muscles

 Allowances for table seating

 Row seating in theaters and auditoriums
 Circulation clearances
Vertical distance from the sitting
surface to the top of the head

 Overhead obstruction above seats (airplane)

 Bunk bed design
 Privacy/ booth partitions in restaurants
 Office cubicles
Vertical distance from the inner
corner of the eye to the sitting
surface.

 Sight lines and optimum fields of vision

such as in theaters and auditoriums