Pull Toy Cord Safety Calculator
Check if a pull toy cord length is safe per ASTM F963 and EN 71.
Enter cord length and target age group to verify compliance with strangulation prevention limits.
Pull toy cords and strings are a strangulation hazard. ASTM F963 (US) and EN 71 (EU) both set maximum cord length limits for toys intended for young children.
ASTM F963 limits:
- Toys for children under 18 months: cords must not exceed 220 mm (8.75 inches)
- Toys for children 18 months to under 3 years: cords must not exceed 300 mm (12 inches)
- Toys for children 3 years and older: no strict length limit, but elasticity and attachment strength requirements apply
EN 71-1 (European Standard):
Similar limits. For toys intended for children under 36 months, cords and strings must not be longer than 220 mm. Elasticized cords have additional stretch testing requirements.
Cord diameter: Cords under 1.5 mm diameter can pose an entanglement risk and are not recommended for any toy accessible to children under 3.
Measurement method: Measure the cord in its fully extended state, not looped or coiled. Include any knot allowance; the usable length is measured from the toy attachment point to the end of the cord.
This calculator is a screening tool. Compliance testing requires verification against the full standard under controlled conditions.