Robert Pershing Wadlow, the tallest man ever recorded, possessed the largest hands in history.
Measuring the Giants: Hand Size and Human Records
Determining the "biggest hands" requires clarification. We can consider either hand span or the length from wrist to fingertip. While Sultan Kösen boasts the widest hand span at 30.48 cm (12 inches), the record for the longest hand measurement belongs to another individual.
- Length from Wrist to Fingertip: The longest measurement from the wrist to the tip of the middle finger belongs to Robert Pershing Wadlow (USA, 1918–1940). His hands measured an astounding 32.3 cm (12.75 inches). This record is directly linked to his status as the tallest man ever recorded, a condition that contributed to his exceptionally large hands.
Further Considerations
While precise historical records of hand size are scarce for individuals throughout history, Wadlow's documented measurements remain the most definitive evidence for the largest hands. The correlation between height and hand size is strong, meaning exceptionally tall individuals generally possess larger hands.
