Käeulatuses

Käeulatuses is an Estonian spatial term meaning within arm's reach. It describes objects, controls, or locations that can be accessed without moving from one’s current position or without significant stretching. In everyday language and in design discourse, käeulatuses denotes practical accessibility and ease of use.

The word is formed from käsi (hand) and ulatus (reach or extent) with the inessive suffix -es, yielding the sense of “in arm’s reach.” As a locative expression, käeulatuses is commonly used for both literal proximity and, metaphorically, for things that are easy to obtain or understand.

Distance described as käeulatuses is not fixed; it varies with the individual and the context. For many adults, arm’s length roughly corresponds to about 0.5 to 0.8 meters, but actual reach depends on body size, posture, and grip. In ergonomics, product design, and workplace layouts, placing frequently used items within käeulatuses helps reduce effort and improve efficiency and safety.

In usage beyond physical distance, käeulatuses can convey accessibility or simplicity. For example, guidelines may specify that essential controls be kept käeulatuses of the operator, or information be made käeulatuses to the reader. The term is closely related to the English expression “within arm’s reach” or “within reach,” and it is sometimes used to translate or convey the same idea in Estonian contexts.