Manual wheelchairs can be divided into three main types. They are:

1. Self-propelled wheelchair
2. Attendant-propelled wheelchair
3. Wheelbase

Self-propelled type wheelchair
The self-propelled manual wheelchair carries rear wheels roughly 20 to 26 inches in diameter. They resemble bicycle wheels. The user can move the wheelchair pushing the hand rims, a round steel tube located on both sides of the wheels. With practice, a user learns how to control the speed. The ability to turn and balance the rear wheels also comes with practice.

Attendant-propelled type wheelchair
An attendant-propelled type of manual wheelchair is so designed that it can be pushed by an attendant with the handles behind it. The back wheels are rimless and are often smaller than the self-propelled type of manual wheelchair. This wheelchair is most often used to move patients in hospitals and at airports.

Wheelbase chairs
Wheelbase chairs are platforms, which have wheels with custom-made seating systems especially for patients with complex postures. This type of chair is constructed by taking a cast of a user’s best possible seated position and molding the shape from foam. Later, the seat is framed and is then attached to the wheelbase.