Forearm bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at proximal and distal sites by 125I single photon absorptiometry (SPA) and by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 67 consecutive subjects, aged 18-75 years. Correlations and regression equations between these two techniques were determined. All forearm measurements were significantly correlated with each other (r = 0.599-0.926; P < or = 0.0001). Although SPA and DXA correct for fat in different ways, we found similar correlation and regression equations in women with body mass index measurements above and below the mean. In addition, forearm measurements by both techniques were moderately correlated with vertebral spine and hip BMD. We conclude that overall, SPA forearm measurements in a population can be calibrated to DXA measurements if necessary, and that DXA forearm measurements are as predictive of the remainder of the skeleton as SPA measurements.