Short answer: stand up straight in your everyday shoes with your arms hanging loosely at your sides. The top of the cane handle should line up with the crease on the inside of your wrist. When you hold the handle, your elbow should bend slightly. Physical therapists often describe this as roughly 15 to 20 degrees. For most adults, that works out to a cane of about half their height.
Cane height calculator
Enter your height to get a starting cane height. Then confirm it with the wrist-crease check below.
Why the right height matters
A cane that is the wrong height does not just feel awkward. It changes how you stand and walk.
- Too tall: your shoulder hitches up and your elbow bends too much. You end up pushing the cane out to the side, which gives you less support. The usual complaints are shoulder, neck and wrist pain. See signs your cane is too tall.
- Too short: you lean forward and to one side to reach it. That strains your lower back and can throw your balance forward, which is the opposite of what a cane is for.
Getting the height right is free and takes five minutes, and it is the single most useful thing you can do before you start walking with a cane.
How to measure your cane height at home
You will need a tape measure, the shoes you wear most often, and ideally someone to help.
- Put on your usual shoes. Even a thin-soled slipper versus a walking shoe can change the measurement by an inch or more.
- Stand up straight on a hard floor, with your weight on both feet. If you cannot stand safely without support, hold on to a kitchen counter with your other hand.
- Let your arms hang naturally at your sides. Do not lock your elbows or lift your shoulders.
- Find your wrist crease: the line where your hand meets your wrist, on the palm side.
- Measure from the floor to that crease, on the side where you will hold the cane. That number is your cane height, measured from the floor to the top of the handle.
- Check it with the cane. Stand the cane about 4 to 6 inches out to the side of your foot and hold the handle. Your elbow should be slightly bent and your shoulders level. Adjust one notch at a time until it feels right.
This matches the guidance from MedlinePlus: the handle should be at the level of your wrist, with your elbow slightly bent when you hold it.
Walking cane height chart
Use this chart as a starting point only. Arm length varies a lot between people of the same height, so always confirm with the wrist-crease method above.
| Your height | Approximate cane height |
|---|---|
| 4’10” – 5’0″ (147–152 cm) | 29 – 30″ (74–76 cm) |
| 5’1″ – 5’3″ (155–160 cm) | 30 – 32″ (76–81 cm) |
| 5’4″ – 5’6″ (163–168 cm) | 32 – 33″ (81–84 cm) |
| 5’7″ – 5’9″ (170–175 cm) | 33 – 35″ (84–89 cm) |
| 5’10” – 6’0″ (178–183 cm) | 35 – 36″ (89–91 cm) |
| 6’1″ – 6’3″ (185–191 cm) | 36 – 38″ (91–97 cm) |
| 6’4″ – 6’6″ (193–198 cm) | 38 – 39″ (97–99 cm) |
If you are at either end of the chart, a standard adjustable cane may not reach your size. Petite users can read our guide to cane size for a 5’2″ woman. Taller users should see walking canes for tall men.
Things that change the right height
- Footwear: measure in the shoes you will actually walk in. If you switch between slippers indoors and boots outdoors, an adjustable cane is the practical choice.
- Posture: if you have a stooped posture, measure in the position you naturally stand in, not an upright position you cannot hold. A physical therapist can help here.
- Handle shape: on an offset or derby handle, measure to the top of the grip where your palm rests, not to the highest point of the handle.
- The tip: a new rubber tip or a wide pivot tip can add a little height. Check the fit again after changing it. See how to replace a cane tip.
Adjustable or fixed-length cane?
Adjustable canes (usually aluminium or carbon fibre, with push-button holes about an inch apart) are the easiest choice for most people. You can fine-tune the height, change it for different shoes, and pass the cane on if your needs change.
Fixed-length canes (often wooden) look smarter and can feel more solid, but they need to be cut to size. If you buy one, measure carefully first, and remember that you can cut a wooden cane shorter but you cannot make it longer. Our guide on how to measure a walking stick covers cutting to length.
Does the cane hand change the height?
Measure on the side where you will hold the cane. That is normally the side opposite your weaker or painful leg. If you are not sure which side that should be, see which hand to hold a cane in. Most people’s arms are close enough in length that it makes little difference, but it is worth checking.
Signs your cane height is wrong
| What you notice | Likely problem |
|---|---|
| Shoulder or neck pain on the cane side | Too tall |
| Elbow bent sharply, wrist aching | Too tall |
| Leaning forward or sideways, lower back aching | Too short |
| Cane feels like it is “behind” you when you step | Too short, or held too far back |
| Arm straight, no bend at the elbow | Too short |
Frequently asked questions
Is a cane supposed to be half your height?
Roughly. For many adults, the right cane height is close to half their total height. But arm length varies, so the wrist-crease method is more accurate than any formula.
Should my arm be straight when I hold a cane?
No. Your elbow should be slightly bent, so you can push down through the cane and take weight off your leg. A straight arm usually means the cane is too short.
What cane height do I need if I am 5’7″?
About 33–34 inches (84–86 cm). Confirm it with the wrist-crease check, because arm length varies.
What cane height for 5’2″?
About 30.5–31.5 inches (77–80 cm). Many standard adjustable canes go this low, but check the minimum setting. See cane size for a 5’2″ woman.
What cane height for 5’10”?
About 34.5–35.5 inches (88–90 cm).
What cane height for a 6-foot man?
About 35.5–36.5 inches (90–93 cm). Taller users should check the maximum height before buying. See canes for tall men.
Is a walking stick measured the same way?
For a walking stick used for support, yes. Trekking poles for hiking are set differently, usually so your elbow is at about a right angle. See how to measure a walking stick.
What if I am between two height settings?
Try both for a few minutes of walking. Many people find the slightly lower setting more comfortable, but if you are unsure, ask a physical therapist to watch you walk.
Sources
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine): Using a cane
- MedlinePlus: Mobility Aids
