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From the anterior hairline to the posterior hairline, the measurement is one chi and two cun. If the anterior hairline of a person is unclear, measure three cun straight upward from the midpoint between the eyebrows (Yintang). If the posterior hairline is unclear, measure three cun straight upward from Dazhui (GV14). (For details, see the Bone Measurement chapter). If both anterior and posterior hairlines are unclear, measure from the midpoint between the eyebrows to Dazhui, totaling one chi and eight cun. The vertical measurement method for the head is based on this. For the horizontal measurement method, the distance from the inner canthus to the outer canthus is taken as one cun. (Note: Qucha (BL2) of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian is located 1.5 cun lateral to Shenting (GV24) of the Du Vessel; Benshen (GB13) of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian is 1.5 cun lateral to Qucha; Touwei (ST8) of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian is 1.5 cun lateral to Benshen. From Shenting to Touwei, the total is four and a half cun. All these are derived from the bone circumference of the head, which is two chi and six cun. Although the distance from the inner canthus to the outer canthus is one cun, it does not perfectly align with all measurements).

From Dazhui (GV14) to the coccyx, there are twenty-one vertebral segments in total, measuring three chi in length (the three cervical vertebrae are not included in this count). The upper seven vertebrae each measure one cun, four fen, and one li, totaling nine cun, eight fen, and seven li. The middle seven vertebrae each measure one cun, six fen, and one li, totaling one chi, one cun, two fen, and seven li. The lower seven vertebrae each measure one cun, two fen, and six li, totaling eight cun, eight fen, and two li. The grand total is two chi, nine cun, nine fen, and six li. The remaining less than four li represents an unaccounted fraction. The vertical measurement method for the back is based on this. The horizontal measurement method is based on the finger-biancun method using the middle finger. The internal width of the spinal column is one cun. The second row of acupoints adjacent to the spine (Jiaji) is one and a half cun from the midline. The third row of Jiaji points is three cun from the midline. The half-cun distance on either side of the spinal column is not calculated here. Whenever it states that Jiaji points are one and a half cun apart, they should be considered as two cun from the midline (acupoints such as Dazhu (BL11) follow this rule). Whenever it states that Jiaji points are three cun apart, they should be considered as three and a half cun from the midline (acupoints such as Fufen (BL43) follow this rule).

Diagram of supine body regions
Diagram of prone body regions

From the depression at Tiantu (CV22) to Danzhong (CV17), the measurement is eight cun. Moving downward one cun and six fen leads to Zhongting (CV16), making the total nine cun and six fen. (Another version stating eight cun and four fen is incorrect). From the tip of the xiphoid process downwards to the center of the umbilicus, the measurement is eight cun. For individuals without a distinct xiphoid process, measure from the costal angle (Qigu) down to the umbilicus, totaling nine cun. From the center of the umbilicus down to the pubic symphysis (Qugu, CV2) at the hairline, the measurement is five cun. The vertical measurement method for the chest and abdomen is based on this. The horizontal measurement method uses the distance between the two nipples, measured as eight cun. (Note: The "Bone Measurement" chapter states the breadth between the two nipples is nine and a half cun. Detailed comparison with acupuncture texts shows that Qimen (LR14) of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian is 1.5 cun lateral to the nipple, and Zhangmen (LR13) is six cun from the midline, summing to nine cun between the nipples. However, Rugen (ST18) of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian is four cun from the midline, and Daibao (GB26) of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian is seven and a half cun from the midline, summing to eight cun between the nipples. Therefore, when determining horizontal measurements relative to the midline for various meridians, eight cun between the nipples is used as an approximate standard).