Hand scanning devices identify users by the shape of their hands. Hand geometry readers measure a user’s hand along many dimensions and compare those measurements to measurements stored in a file.

Hand geometry devices have been manufactured since the early 1980s, making hand geometry the first biometric to find widespread computerized use and it remains popular; common applications include access control and time-and-attendance operations. Hand geometry is very reliable when combined with other forms of identification, such as ID cards or personal ID numbers.