Push handlesFor a helper to push the chair. They are at the top of the back posts, with hand grips.
SeatA fabric seat, the seat upholstery, stretched between the side frames. A cushion usually goes on top.
Rear wheelsThe rear wheels: the two large ones at the back.
HandrimsRings on the rear wheels the user pushes to roll the chair. The user slows it with them by hand. Also called push rims.
CastersThe two small front wheels. They swivel so the chair can turn.
From the side: 11 6
ArmrestsThe armrests, with a pad on top.
Wheel locksLevers that press on the rear tires to hold the chair still. They are parking brakes, not for slowing down.
FrameThe frame: the metal tubes that everything else is fixed to.
Caster forksThe caster forks, which hold each caster and swivel on the frame.
FootrestsThe footrests, or leg rests, hanging forward from the frame. They often swing away to one side for getting in and out.
FootplatesFlat plates at the bottom of the footrests where the feet rest.
From behind: 2 2
BackrestThe backrest: fabric stretched between the back posts, the back upholstery.
Cross braceThe cross brace: the X under the seat. It folds so the chair can close up narrow.
How this list was compiled: Read 2026-09-27. (1) Wikipedia, Wheelchair, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelchair : a self-propelled manual wheelchair has a frame, a seat, a footplate (footrest) or two and four wheels: usually two front casters and two large rear wheels; a seat cushion is generally provided; brakes bear on the rear tyres and are parking brakes only, and in-motion braking is by the user’s palms on the push-rims; two push handles at the upper rear let a second person push; leg rests, armrests, adjustable backrests and anti-tip bars are options; folding steel chairs have sling seats. (2) Drive Medical, Sentra EC Heavy Duty Wheelchair user manual, https://archive.org/details/manuallib-id-2708532 : labelled parts back upholstery, hand grip, armrest pad, side panel, seat upholstery, rigging, rear wheel, footplate, caster, front caster fork; wheel locks; swing-away footrests and leg rests. (3) Graham-Field (Everest & Jennings) transport chair manual, https://archive.org/details/manualsbase-id-639224 : push handles and hand grips; crossbraces in the centre of the chair that fold. Licence: own work
The drawing: Drawn for this site by script, 2026-09-27. Own work, nothing traced. Licence: own work
How it works
For wheelchair parts labeling, write a name on the line for each number. Numbers 1 to 11 are on a folding manual chair seen from the side, 12 and 13 on the same chair from behind. Names only.
Read the full guide
Parts of a wheelchair to label: word bank
In alphabetical order, to copy onto the board: armrests, backrest, caster forks, casters, cross brace, footplates, footrests, frame, handrims, push handles, rear wheels, seat, wheel locks.
Reading the two drawings
The upper chair faces left, so its front is at the left of the page. Two tubes run down the front side by side: 10 is the sloping bar that ends in the flat plate, 5 the frame tube behind it. The lines from 3 and 4 end close together: 3 on the long flat seat, 4 just under it on the small lever that reaches the tire. On the lower chair, the black bars are the rear wheels edge-on and the blocks on the posts are hand grips, all without numbers.
Nine names are plural because the chair has a pair of each. The side view shows one, so caster is as right as casters.
When marking, a maker's names are right too: armrest pad on line 2, seat upholstery on 3, rigging on 10, back upholstery on 12.
Questions and answers
What are the main parts of a wheelchair?
A frame, a seat, a footplate or two and four wheels. On most manual chairs the front pair are small casters and the back pair are large. On the worksheet those are numbers 5, 3, 11, 8 and 6.
When was the folding wheelchair invented?
In 1933. Two mechanical engineers made the first light steel wheelchair that folded up to be carried. Many chairs still fold on an X-brace like theirs. On the worksheet the X-brace is the cross brace, number 13.
What is the difference between a manual and a power wheelchair?
A manual wheelchair is moved by hand: the person seated pushes it, or someone behind does. A power wheelchair runs on batteries and electric motors. The worksheet shows a manual chair, with handrims at number 7 and push handles at number 1.