Compare your wingspan (arm span) to your height, popular in climbing and basketball circles for its reach implications.
How it works
Ape index is simply wingspan − height. A wingspan of 180 cm with a height of 175 cm gives a “positive ape index” of +5 cm.
What this does not include
This reports a raw difference in your chosen unit. Some contexts express ape index as a ratio (wingspan ÷ height) instead of a difference — this calculator uses the more commonly cited subtraction form.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your wingspan (fingertip to fingertip, arms fully extended).
- Enter your height.
A worked example
A wingspan of 180 cm against a height of 175 cm: ape index = wingspan − height = +5 — arms longer than height, a “positive” ape index.
A wingspan of 170 cm against height 175 cm: ape index = −5 — arms shorter than height, a “negative” ape index.
What the variables mean
| Variable | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Fingertip-to-fingertip arm span |
| Height | Standing height |
Edge cases worth knowing
A positive ape index isn’t inherently “better” — it’s popularly discussed in sports like climbing and basketball where reach matters, but it’s simply a body-proportion measurement, not a fitness or athleticism score.
A missing wingspan makes the comparison impossible, so the calculator declines to show a result without one.
Why does a longer wingspan matter in climbing?
A longer reach relative to height can let a climber reach holds that would otherwise require a bigger stretch or a dynamic move, a genuine (if not decisive) advantage in some climbing situations.
What’s a typical ape index?
Most people have a wingspan close to their height (an ape index near zero), though individual variation is common and a notably positive or negative index isn’t unusual.
Is a positive ape index always an advantage in sports?
It depends heavily on the sport — helpful for reach-dependent activities like climbing or basketball defense, but largely irrelevant or even disadvantageous in others.
