How many bones are in the human hand?

There are 27 bones in the human hand. These bones are organized into eight wrist bones, five metacarpals in the palm, and fourteen phalanges in the fingers and thumb.

The eight wrist bones are called carpals and are arranged in two rows. The five metacarpals connect the wrist to the digits and form the framework of the palm. Each of the four fingers has three phalanges, while the thumb has two, giving fourteen phalanges altogether.

The hand’s bones create a balance between strength and flexibility. Their joints allow gripping, pinching, writing, and many precise movements. The knuckles are the metacarpophalangeal joints, where the metacarpals meet the proximal phalanges.

A common source of confusion is whether to count the wrist or forearm bones. The radius and ulna are forearm bones, not part of the standard 27-bone count for one hand. Small sesamoid bones may also vary between individuals and are not included in that standard total.