You may be tempted to cheat by lowering the tape measure a few inches but then you wont get an accurate measurement. For example a man whose height is over 5 5 and wrist is 6 would fall into the small boned category.

Body Measurement Table
How do you measure a man s body. Use a piece of string if you dont have one and then measure it with a regular tape measure or ruler. You can buy a tailors tape measure at a sewing store or online. Measure the circumference of your arm. A good example is the skinfold caliper. You use a small caliper to pinch fat at different sites on the body and then enter the numbers into an equation that estimates your overall body fat percentage. To determine the body frame size measure the wrist with a tape measure and use the following chart to determine whether the person is small medium or large boned.
Its important to stand in a relaxed natural positiondo not push out your belly or suck it inwhen taking the measurement. If you are not sure whether or not you are in a healthy weight range after taking your waist measurement then you may also consider checking your bmi body mass index. Body frame size is determined by a persons wrist circumference in relation to his height. For a 5 10 man the ideal shoulder width would be about 51 53. To measure your natural waist you want to find the narrowest part of your waist located above your belly button and below your rib cage. Measure the circumference of the fullest part of your thigh.
For this you would measure at the point where your trousers would normally ride. Men had an average shoulder width of 156. Use a flexible vinyl tape measure like the ones that tailors use to get the most accurate measurement. To measure your body for optimal belt size start by threading the tape measure through the belt loops of your trousers. How to measure your body for belt size. X trustworthy source national health service uk public healthcare system of the uk go to source this measurement takes your weight and height into account to determine whether or not you may need to lose weight.
Wrap the tape measure around your thigh from front to back and then around to the front. Alternative methods for measuring body fat can be fairly accurate as long as you know how to use them. A shoulder width of just over one and a half times your waist size will make your upper body pop and help give you that coveted v shape. This measurement is used for bottoms and sometimes for dresses. Note some brands use a low waist measurement. Survey data taken in the early 1960s calculated that 3581 american women over the age of 17 had an average shoulder width of 139 inches 353 cm.