CDC joint range of motion averages by age and sex, common reference values and goniometry guides for clinicians.
A measurement reference for physical therapists, occupational therapists, students and other clinicians. Patients with joint pain or stiffness should be examined by a licensed clinician.
Normal joint range of motion values, organized by joint. Where the CDC measured a joint, you get averages by age and sex from 674 healthy people; for every joint you get the most-quoted reference values and our clinicians’ goniometry steps.
CDC flexion by age and sex; flexion, extension, abduction and rotation technique.
Open →CDC flexion, extension, pronation and supination by age and sex.
Open →Wrist, finger MCP and thumb reference values and technique.
Open →CDC flexion and extension by age and sex; abduction, adduction and rotation technique.
Open →CDC flexion and extension (including hyperextension) by age and sex.
Open →CDC dorsiflexion and plantarflexion by age and sex; toe MTP values.
Open →Neck flexion, extension, side-bending and rotation reference values.
Open →Back flexion, extension, side-bending and rotation (VA values).
Open →| Motion | Women 20–44 | Men 20–44 | Women 45–69 | Men 45–69 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoulder flexion | 172.0 ± 6.8 | 168.8 ± 8.0 | 168.1 ± 8.2 | 164.0 ± 8.3 |
| Elbow flexion | 150.0 ± 5.5 | 144.6 ± 5.5 | 148.3 ± 5.6 | 143.5 ± 6.0 |
| Elbow extension | 4.7 ± 4.8 | 0.8 ± 3.8 | 3.6 ± 5.5 | −0.7 ± 3.9 |
| Forearm pronation | 82.0 ± 5.8 | 76.9 ± 7.0 | 80.8 ± 6.3 | 77.7 ± 6.0 |
| Forearm supination | 90.6 ± 8.5 | 85.0 ± 6.6 | 87.2 ± 6.9 | 82.4 ± 7.5 |
| Hip flexion | 133.8 ± 7.9 | 130.4 ± 7.5 | 130.8 ± 8.8 | 127.2 ± 7.4 |
| Hip extension | 18.1 ± 6.6 | 17.4 ± 5.9 | 16.7 ± 7.0 | 13.5 ± 5.2 |
| Knee flexion | 141.9 ± 6.3 | 137.7 ± 6.5 | 137.8 ± 7.4 | 132.9 ± 6.3 |
| Knee extension | 1.6 ± 2.8 | 1.0 ± 2.3 | 1.2 ± 2.9 | 0.5 ± 1.9 |
| Ankle dorsiflexion | 13.8 ± 5.5 | 12.7 ± 5.9 | 11.6 ± 5.5 | 11.9 ± 5.0 |
| Ankle plantarflexion | 62.1 ± 9.3 | 54.6 ± 7.8 | 56.5 ± 8.7 | 49.4 ± 8.4 |
Mean ± SD in degrees, passive ROM. Source: CDC[1]; SD from Soucie et al.[2] Children and teens (2–8 and 9–19) are on each joint page and in the lookup.
The CDC values are measured averages from healthy people, split by age and sex, for 11 motions at the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle[1]. The study authors note the AAOS values are the most commonly used reference and are not consistently split by age or sex, and found their averages differed from commonly used values in most cases[2]. AAOS values are single reference numbers; we show them as reported by Norkin and White[4] and by Botman and colleagues[5]. VA values come from the federal disability rating schedule[6][7]; they are useful when documenting for VA purposes but were not written as clinical norms.
The CDC study did not measure the wrist, hand or spine, so those pages show reference values only. Hip rotation and ankle inversion/eversion pages show technique without a number because we could not verify a reference value from a source we could check.
Each joint page has a motion-by-motion guide[8].
How we grade sources. A = population study of healthy people with published methods (CDC). B = widely used consensus reference values, as reported in a textbook or peer-reviewed paper; these are single “normal” numbers, not measured averages. C = U.S. government rating standard written for disability evaluation, not as clinical norms. D = expert clinical opinion.
Reviewed by Dr. Richard Holsman, PT, DPT, NCS (Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy), founder of Holsman Physical Therapy. Last reviewed: November 13, 2026.
We re-check every number on this page against its source at least once a year, and sooner if a source is updated or a reader reports a problem. Changes are listed in the change log with the date. To report an error, contact us.
Source: CDC. The CDC normative values are a U.S. government work in the public domain (CDC Stacks marks the study’s data documents “Public Domain”), used under CDC’s Use of Agency Materials terms. The values are shown as published, and the original material is available on CDC’s website at no charge. Our use of CDC material and links to CDC do not imply endorsement by CDC, HHS or the U.S. Government. The VA values come from a federal regulation (38 CFR), also public domain. AAOS values are cited as individual numbers with credit to the publication that reports them; no table layout or text is copied. The goniometry guide is original text by Holsman Physical Therapy.
This page is published by Holsman Physical Therapy and Wellness, P.C., which runs outpatient and in-home therapy practices; that is our only commercial interest. The page carries no advertising, no sponsorship and no affiliate links, and we received no payment from any source for it. We do not sell goniometers or apps. Holsman Physical Therapy is not affiliated with the CDC, the VA, the AAOS, or the authors and publishers cited, and they do not endorse this website.
For clinician education. Norms vary; interpret with clinical judgment. Range of motion differs with age, sex, body type, activity, measurement position, instrument, and whether motion is active or passive. A value outside a reference range is not a diagnosis. Compare with the uninvolved side, retest with the same method, and read the number alongside the patient’s symptoms and function.
There is no single normal number. Joint range varies with age, sex and how it is measured. The CDC Normal Joint Range of Motion Study gives averages by age and sex for 11 motions, and AAOS and VA reference values give single numbers that clinicians often quote.
From the CDC Normal Joint Range of Motion Study: trained physical therapists measured passive range of motion with a goniometer in 674 healthy people aged 2 to 69, between 2003 and 2006 (Soucie et al., Haemophilia, 2011).
AAOS values are single reference numbers that are not consistently split by age or sex. The CDC values are measured averages from healthy volunteers, and the study authors found they differed from commonly used values in most cases.
No. The lookup runs in your web browser. Nothing is sent to us or stored.
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