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MUAC — the distance around the middle of the upper arm — is a quick, reliable way to spot acute malnutrition. It's used by Anganwadi and ASHA workers in India and by health programmes worldwide.
For children aged 6–59 months, under 11.5 cm means severe acute malnutrition (SAM, red), 11.5 to under 12.5 cm moderate acute malnutrition (MAM, yellow), and 12.5 cm or more is normal (green). Swelling of both feet means SAM whatever the MUAC.
| Mid-Upper Arm Circumference | 12.1 |
| Unit | cm |
| Who | Child 6–59 months |
| Swelling of both feet? (children) | No |
| MUAC result | Yellow — moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) |
| What to do | Needs supplementary feeding and follow-up at the health centre or Anganwadi |
| Measurement | 12.1 cm (121 mm) |
| Cut-offs for children 6–59 months | red < 11.5 cm, yellow 11.5–12.5 cm, green ≥ 12.5 cm |
Yellow — moderate acute malnutrition (MAM).
Try this example →| Mid-Upper Arm Circumference | 110 |
| Unit | mm |
| Who | Child 6–59 months |
| Swelling of both feet? (children) | No |
| MUAC result | Red — severe acute malnutrition (SAM) |
| What to do | Needs urgent medical assessment and therapeutic feeding |
| Measurement | 11 cm (110 mm) |
| Cut-offs for children 6–59 months | red < 11.5 cm, yellow 11.5–12.5 cm, green ≥ 12.5 cm |
Red — severe acute malnutrition (SAM).
Try this example →12.5 cm or more for children aged 6 months to 5 years.
On the left arm, hanging relaxed, at the midpoint between the shoulder tip and the elbow, with the tape flat and snug.
23 cm or more in India's programmes; below that suggests undernutrition and a risk of a low-birth-weight baby.