What is the normal elbow extension ROM?

• A. 0 degrees
• B. 5 degrees
• C. 10 degrees
• D. 15 degrees

Answer: (A)

Elbow extension ROM is about how far you can straighten the elbow. When the arm is fully straight, the angle between the upper arm and forearm is considered 0 degrees. In most standard measurements, 0 degrees is the normal endpoint for extension; a tiny bit of hyperextension (beyond straight) can occur in some people, but that is usually recorded as a negative angle rather than a positive extension value. So the normal elbow extension ROM is 0 degrees.

If you see numbers like 5, 10, or 15 degrees, that would imply the forearm is still past neutral in a way that isn’t counted as normal extension in typical ROM assessments. They would reflect some degree of hyperextension beyond the neutral or measurement variation rather than the standard endpoint of full extension.