Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measuring tapes – technical bulletin

A description of the MUAC tapes available through UNICEF Supply Division

About

A range of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measuring tapes are available through UNICEF. MUAC tapes are predominately used to measure the upper arm circumference of children but also of pregnant women, helping identify malnutrition.

There are different types of MUAC tape available. All are graduated in millimetres and some are colour coded (red, yellow and green) to indicate the nutritional status of a child or adult. The colour codes and gradations vary depending on the tape type.