Which device measures grip strength by having a person squeeze it?

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Which device measures grip strength by having a person squeeze it? A dynamometer measures grip strength when a person squeezes its handle.

A hand dynamometer converts the force of the squeeze into a numerical reading, commonly expressed in kilograms or pounds. Clinicians use it to assess hand and forearm function, while sports scientists and ergonomists use it to compare strength, monitor training, or evaluate the demands of a job.

The word dynamometer is broader than grip testing. Dynamometers can measure force, torque, or power in machines, engines, and laboratory equipment. A grip dynamometer is therefore one specialized type, alongside devices used for back, arm, or leg strength.

A common mix-up is confusing it with a goniometer, which measures joint angles, or a spirometer, which measures lung volumes. A stadiometer measures height. In medical rehabilitation, repeated dynamometer readings can help track recovery after hand injuries, nerve problems, or surgery.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

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