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How To Measure Boxing Reach: 4 Pro Tips To Remember

By Alex Potranco · · Updated

Contents

In boxing, weight decides your division, so it sits at the top of every fighter's stats along with height.

Reach is the other number you'll see on a tale of the tape. It measures how far a fighter can strike, and a longer reach can be a real advantage. As we discuss reach, we'll show you how to measure it.

What's The Average Reach Of A Boxer & Why Is It Important?

A boxer's reach is the distance from the tip of one middle finger to the other with both arms stretched out to the sides. It's the same thing as arm span or wingspan.

It's not the same as arm length, which is measured on one arm only. Reach also includes the width of your shoulders and upper back.

For beginners, knowing your reach helps you pick a style. Long-armed boxers tend to work from the outside, while shorter-armed boxers often do better on the inside.

Height affects reach, which is why taller boxers usually have longer reaches. For most adults, arm span is about equal to height.

Some fighters have reaches far beyond their height. Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury stands 6'9" with a reach of about 85 inches.

Thomas Hearns, who won titles from welterweight up, stood 6'1" with a reach of about 78 inches. That long reach helped make his jab and right hand so dangerous.

Why You Should Measure Reach

The reason is simple: a longer reach lets you hit your opponent from distances where they can't hit you back.

Boxing is all about managing distance. If you misjudge it, you either can't land or you walk into a counter.

That's why boxers with shorter arms have to work harder to get inside against longer opponents.

How To Measure Reach

Since reach is the distance from one middle fingertip to the other, you can find it with a tape measure in a few minutes.

But a few details make the result more accurate. Here's how to do it:

Step 1

Take off any bulky clothing, such as a hoodie or jacket, so it doesn't add to the measurement. A T-shirt or sports bra is fine.

Step 2

Stand up straight with your feet together and your shoulders relaxed. Don't shrug or hunch, since that changes the result.

Step 3

Have someone help you, then stretch your arms out to either side at shoulder height.

Your body should form a T, with both arms level and parallel to the ground. Standing with your back flat against a wall helps keep your arms straight and level.

Step 4

Have your helper measure from the tip of your right middle finger to the tip of your left middle finger, keeping the tape in a straight line. Measuring across your back (or along the wall) gives a straighter line than measuring across your chest.

How To Measure Arm Length

Arm length is measured on one arm. It's handy for comparing your two sides and for sizing equipment.

Fighter profiles usually list reach rather than arm length, but it's still useful to know your own.

So, here's how to measure your arm length.

Keep your helper around, because you need someone to hold the tape.

Hold one arm straight out to the side and measure from the point of your shoulder to the tip of your middle finger. Then do the other arm.

How To Benefit From Your Reach

What measurement did you get? Compare it with your height.

If your reach is longer than your height, work on your footwork and your jab so you can control distance and fight from the outside.

A long reach only helps if you can keep the fight at range. Without good footwork, a shorter opponent can trap you on the ropes and work inside. Mike Tyson had a relatively short reach for a heavyweight, but his head movement and speed let him get inside and knock out taller men.

If your reach is shorter than your height, don't worry. Longer-armed opponents will try to keep you at the end of their jab, but you can learn to close the distance.

A long-armed fighter with poor footwork can be easy to beat if you know how to get inside.

Learn to slip and counter. When a taller opponent reaches to land, slip the punch and step in to fire back.

Shadowboxing, bag work and pad work will sharpen your punches for when you close the gap.

Lastly, you can be a successful boxer whether your reach is short or long.

Knock-Out Point: Regardless of a boxer's reach, height, power, and fighting style, he or she could still end up as a champion if all of these are utilized properly! We list our top picks of countries with great boxers. Know them here -- What Country Has The Best Boxers.

Watch This!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is your reach the same as your height?

Roughly, for most people. The body ratio of arm span to height is close to one to one, and one study of adult women found an average ratio of 1.004. The difference is often expressed as the ape index.

The ape index is your arm span divided by your height. For example, a boxer who is 79 inches tall with a 72-inch reach has an ape index of 72/79, or about 0.91.

If it's greater than 1, your reach is longer than your height. If it's lower than 1, you're taller than your reach.

Do broader shoulders increase wingspan?

Shoulder width is part of your wingspan, so broader shoulders do add to it. But your reach is set mostly by your skeleton, and stretching won't make your bones longer.

Shoulder mobility work still helps. It lets you stand tall with your arms fully extended when you measure, and healthy shoulders lower your injury risk in the ring.

What was Mike Tyson's reach?

Tyson's reach is usually listed at 71 inches, short for a heavyweight. He proved that speed, power and head movement can beat a reach advantage.

Conclusion

A boxer's reach is not how far the arms extend from the chest. It's the distance from one middle fingertip to the other with your arms stretched out to the sides.

Reach is different from arm length. To measure it accurately, stand straight against a wall, keep your arms level, and measure in a straight line across your back.

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