Relative Grip Strength
Relative grip strength is handgrip force divided by bodyweight, expressed as a dimensionless ratio. It is a marker of overall muscular capacity adjusted for body size; in cohort studies it is associated with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events, particularly in middle-aged and older adults. Norms are derived from two pooled cycles of the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2011-2012 and 2013-2014, n=9,923 adults with valid paired measurements). NHANES discontinued grip measurement after 2013-2014, so the pool cannot be extended. The US population has higher average bodyweight than many countries, so these ratios run lower than values from leaner populations. Read more on Wikipedia
Relative Grip Strength Norms Chart by Age and Sex
| Age | Sex | Percentile | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 95th | ||
| 20-29 | Male | 0.37 | 0.51 | 0.61 | 0.70 | 0.82 |
| Female | 0.29 | 0.38 | 0.45 | 0.52 | 0.61 | |
| 30-39 | Male | 0.39 | 0.49 | 0.59 | 0.67 | 0.80 |
| Female | 0.27 | 0.37 | 0.43 | 0.51 | 0.60 | |
| 40-49 | Male | 0.38 | 0.48 | 0.55 | 0.62 | 0.75 |
| Female | 0.25 | 0.34 | 0.42 | 0.50 | 0.60 | |
| 50-59 | Male | 0.33 | 0.45 | 0.53 | 0.60 | 0.72 |
| Female | 0.22 | 0.32 | 0.39 | 0.45 | 0.56 | |
| 60-69 | Male | 0.32 | 0.42 | 0.49 | 0.56 | 0.67 |
| Female | 0.23 | 0.31 | 0.37 | 0.42 | 0.53 | |
| 70-79 | Male | 0.29 | 0.40 | 0.45 | 0.52 | 0.64 |
| Female | 0.20 | 0.27 | 0.33 | 0.40 | 0.48 | |
| 80+ | Male | 0.26 | 0.35 | 0.42 | 0.48 | 0.56 |
| Female | 0.18 | 0.26 | 0.30 | 0.37 | 0.45 | |
What to expect by age group
Among US adults in their 30s, the median ratio is 0.59 for men and 0.44 for women. Both sexes peak in the 20s and decline through older age; the gap between sexes is roughly 0.14–0.15 ratio units and stays broadly stable across the lifespan. These percentiles are from NHANES 2011–2014 and reflect the US adult population, which has higher average bodyweight than most other countries. Because bodyweight is the denominator, US ratios run lower than values from leaner populations. A score at the 50th percentile here may correspond to a higher percentile in countries with lower average BMI.
| Age | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | 0.51 to 0.70 | 0.38 to 0.52 |
| 30-39 | 0.49 to 0.67 | 0.37 to 0.51 |
| 40-49 | 0.48 to 0.62 | 0.34 to 0.50 |
| 50-59 | 0.45 to 0.60 | 0.32 to 0.45 |
| 60-69 | 0.42 to 0.56 | 0.31 to 0.42 |
| 70-79 | 0.40 to 0.52 | 0.27 to 0.40 |
| 80+ | 0.35 to 0.48 | 0.26 to 0.37 |
Detailed Breakdowns
Select an age group and sex below for detailed percentile charts, tables, and ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is relative grip strength a better predictor than absolute grip strength?
Absolute grip strength favours larger, heavier individuals regardless of fitness. Dividing by bodyweight normalises for size, so the ratio captures functional muscle quality rather than raw force. Multiple large cohort studies have found relative grip strength predicts all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events more strongly than absolute grip, particularly in middle-aged and older adults.
Which hand and how many trials are used?
The NHANES protocol tests both hands across up to three trials each (six readings total). The grip numerator used here is the maximum valid reading across all trials and both hands — the single best effort, regardless of which hand produced it. This matches the clinical standard of recording the best trial and avoids systematic downward bias from using only the first attempt.
Why might these values differ from international references?
These norms are derived from the US population (2011–2014), which has one of the highest average bodyweights globally. Because bodyweight is the denominator of the ratio, higher average bodyweight in the US population pulls the ratio down relative to leaner populations. If you are from a country with lower average BMI than the US, your score may fall at a higher percentile than these tables suggest.
How do I calculate my relative grip strength?
Measure your grip strength in kilograms using a hand dynamometer (best of two or three trials on each hand), then divide by your bodyweight in kilograms. For example, a grip of 45 kg at a bodyweight of 80 kg gives a ratio of 0.56.
Why is NHANES grip data only from 2011–2014?
NHANES assessed grip strength (Muscle Strength - Grip Test, MGX module) only in the 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 examination cycles. This component was not included in subsequent NHANES data collections. These two cycles together provide n=9,923 adults with valid paired grip and bodyweight measurements.