People are of many sizes and shape one should keep in minds the physical characteristics of them while designing space, furniture, etc. for use. We are introducing average human standing postures.
Standing Postures
Body Height
In this position, subject will stands erect with heels together and look forward. The distance between floors to the top of head will be a body height.
| Importance | Critical |
| To design any element of the house like – door, window, cupboard, dressing table, etc. | It is critical if door of your house is not according to the human height. The person will not feel safe while passing through door. |
Eye Height
The subject stands erect and look straight ahead. The vertical distance between floors to the inner corner of eye is known as eye level.
| Importance | Critical |
| It is important for visualization like – viewing mirror in dressing table or in bathroom. | If height of mirror of your dressing table or bathroom is not according to the eye height, it will not be comfortable to use. |
Shoulder Height
This is the vertical distance from floor to the uppermost point on the lateral edge of the shoulder (acromion) with the subject standing straight.
Elbow Height
Then subject stands erect with his arm hanging naturally. Elbow height is the vertical distance from floor to depression between the bones of the upper arm and forearm at the elbow.
| Importance | Critical |
| It is important in design of kitchen platform height. | Person will not feel comfortable if height of kitchen platform is not according to the elbow height. |
Knuckle Height
The subject stands straight with his palm flat against the side of his thigh. Vertical distance from floor to the joint of middle finger of right hand with palm is known as knuckle height.
Maximum Body Depth
This is the maximum horizontal distance between the vertical planes passing through the most anterior and posterior points.
| Importance | Critical |
| It is important for designing a depth of the chair, sofa, etc. It is also important to decide height of mortuary cabinets in hospital buildings. | If the depth of the chair is not according to the human body depth, than user will not feel comfortable. |
Maximum Body Breadth
This is the maximum breadth of the body including arm tightly pressed against the body while subject is standing straight.
| Importance | Critical |
| It is important for designing a breadth of door, passages, etc. | If the breadth of the door is not according to the maximum human body breadth, than person will not feel safe while passing through door. |
Hip Breadth
The subject stands straight with his heels together. Maximum horizontal distance between the hips is known as hip breadth.
| Importance | Critical |
| It is important for designing a breadth of chair, sofa, etc. | If the breadth of the chair is not according to the hip breadth, than person will not feel comfortable while using it. |
Total Arm Span
Maximum horizontal distance between the tips of middle fingers while subject is standing straight and arms stretched on sides.
| Importance | Critical |
| It is important for designing any space of house to feel free & comfortable. | If your bathroom dimensions are not according to the total arm span than person will not able to move freely. |
Forward Arm Reach
This is the horizontal distance from the posterior surface of the right shoulder to the tip of the extended middle finger. The subject stands straight with heels, buttocks and shoulders against the wall and right arm and hand extended forward horizontally to their maximum length
| Importance | Critical |
| It is important for designing kitchen cabinet, cupboard, towel rod or hangers in bathroom, etc. | If your bathroom dimensions are not according to the total arm span than person will not able to move freely. |
Arm Length
The subject stands straight with his arms by the side of the body. This is the distance from the top point of the shoulder to tip of the extended middle finger.
Shoulder to Elbow
This is the vertical distance from the top point of the shoulder to the depression between two bones at the elbow.
Elbow to Wrist
This is the distance from the depression between two bones at elbow and the outside of the wrist. The subject stands erect with his arms by the side of the body.
Elbow to Finger Tip
This is the distance from the depression between two bones of elbow & the tip of the extended middle finger. The subject stands erect with arms by the side of this body.
