Armlänge

Armlänge (arm's length) is a term used in Swedish to denote both a literal distance and a figurative separation in personal or commercial relations. As a physical measure, it describes the distance from the shoulder to the fingertip and is used in ergonomics, product design, and human-scale assessments. As an idiom, it describes keeping an appropriate distance to maintain independence or avoid conflicts of interest.

For literal measurement: The distance is typically measured from the acromion (shoulder) to the tip of the middle finger when the arm is extended. Average adult arm length is roughly 60–70 centimeters, but there is substantial individual variation. The concept is used in clothing sizing, seating and cockpit design, and in accessibility planning.

For economic and legal contexts: The armlängdsprincipen is the arm's length principle, a standard in transfer pricing and taxation. It requires related parties to price transactions as if they were unrelated, ensuring that profits reflect true economic activity rather than internal arrangements. The principle is central to OECD guidelines and is incorporated into many national tax regimes, including Sweden's, to combat transfer pricing manipulation and ensure fair taxation.

Socially and politically, keeping something at arm's length can describe a deliberate boundary between individuals or organizations to avoid undue influence or favoritism, such as in governance, journalism, or corporate oversight.