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Tools - Grip and Hand Strength Guidelines

Grip and Hand Strength Criteria

The following guidelines provide criteria for various grasps and hand motions.  The values assume neutral postures and easy to grip surfaces.  See below for Grip and Hand Strength Illustrations.

Note the following definitions:

  • Infrequent – less than 2 times per minute

  • Repetitive – 2 or more times per minute

Grip and Hand Strength Illustrations

 

Criteria

Dimension

Description

A. Power Grip

Infrequent

Repetitive

 

Max. 20 lb

Max.   4 lb

Grasp with full hand, typically with thumb overlapping the first finger.

B. Pinch Grip

Infrequent

Repetitive

 

Max.   9 lb

Max.   2 lb

Grasp with finger tips only, typically with fingers and thumb not touching.

C. Key Grip

Infrequent

Repetitive

 

Max. 10 lb

Max.   2 lb

Grasp with thumb and side of the first finger.

D. Push forward with Index Finger

Infrequent

Repetitive

 

Max. 15 lb

Max.   3 lb

Push forward with pad of index finger.

E. Push down with Index Finger

Infrequent

Repetitive

 

Max. 15 lb

Max.   3 lb

Push down with pad of index finger.

F. Push Forward with Thumb

Infrequent

Repetitive

 

Max. 21 lb

Max.   4 lb

Push forward with pad of thumb.

G. Push Down with Thumb

Infrequent

Repetitive

 

Max. 10 lb

Max.   2 lb

Push down with pad of thumb.

H. Pull with Pinch Grip 0.1”

Infrequent

Repetitive

 

Max. 10 lb

Max.   2 lb

Pull toward body with pinch grip using thumb and index finger.

I.  Pull with Pinch Grip 1.6”

Infrequent

Repetitive

 

Max. 13 lb

Max. 2.5 lb

Pull toward body with pinch grip using thumb and index finger.

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