Most shaky hands are an exaggerated version of the normal tremor everyone has, triggered by caffeine, stress or anxiety, tiredness, low blood sugar, nicotine, alcohol withdrawal or certain medicines. Less often, a tremor points to a condition such as an overactive thyroid, essential tremor or Parkinson's disease. Tremor Analyzer in CEMP Life uses your phone's motion sensor to measure tremor frequency in 10 seconds, so you can see what changes it.
Common causes of shaky hands
- Too much caffeine or energy drinks
- Stress, anxiety or adrenaline
- Poor sleep or exhaustion
- Low blood sugar from skipping meals
- Nicotine, or alcohol withdrawal
- Some medicines, including asthma inhalers and certain antidepressants
- An overactive thyroid
Is it normal for hands to shake?
Yes. Everyone has a fine, fast physiological tremor that is usually too small to see. Caffeine, adrenaline, fatigue and low blood sugar amplify it until you notice it holding a cup or a phone. This "enhanced physiological tremor" is by far the most common reason people search why their hands are shaking, and it usually settles when the trigger goes.
What do tremor frequencies mean?
Tremor is measured in hertz (shakes per second). Tremor Analyzer reports your dominant frequency and uses it as the primary indicator:
| Frequency | Pattern it is consistent with |
|---|---|
| 4 to 6 Hz | Resting tremor patterns |
| 6 to 12 Hz | Essential or enhanced physiological tremor patterns |
| Above 12 Hz | Intentional movement rather than tremor |
These ranges overlap and a frequency on its own is not a diagnosis. Their real value is personal: your own baseline, tracked over time.
How to measure hand tremor with your phone
- Open Tremor Analyzer in the Health and Wellness pod.
- Hold the phone in one hand with your arm slightly extended.
- Tap Measure Vibrations and stay as still as you can for 10 seconds.
- Read the dominant frequency and intensity.
The sensor reading works offline. Try it before and after coffee, on a good night's sleep versus a bad one, or before and after a stressful meeting. Patterns appear quickly.
Measure your tremor in 10 seconds.
CEMP Life puts 20+ SI tools in one app: calorie counter, food and allergen scanner, recipe maker, wellness sensors, crash detection, car diagnosis, contract checker, receipt scanner and a full creator studio. No account needed. Nothing stored.
4-day free trial on Google Play. Cancel any time.
How to stop hands shaking
- Cut back on caffeine and energy drinks, especially later in the day
- Eat regularly to avoid low blood sugar
- Prioritise sleep for a few nights and re-measure
- Use slow breathing to bring down adrenaline before a task that needs a steady hand
- Ask a pharmacist whether any medicine you take lists tremor as a side effect
When should I see a doctor about shaking hands?
See a doctor if the tremor:
- Happens at rest, for example when your hands lie in your lap
- Affects one side more than the other
- Is getting worse, or interferes with writing, eating or dressing
- Comes with other symptoms such as stiffness, slowness, weight loss, a racing heart or heat intolerance
Bring your Tremor Analyzer history; a record of frequencies over weeks helps the conversation.
The honest limits
Tremor Analyzer is a wellness tool, not a neurological assessment. Phone motion sensors are sensitive but not clinical instruments, and how you hold the phone affects the reading. Use it to understand your own patterns and to notice change. For the full set of sensor tools, see the best health and wellness app; to check alertness, try testing your reaction time.
Measure your tremor in 10 seconds.
CEMP Life puts 20+ SI tools in one app: calorie counter, food and allergen scanner, recipe maker, wellness sensors, crash detection, car diagnosis, contract checker, receipt scanner and a full creator studio. No account needed. Nothing stored.
4-day free trial on Google Play. Cancel any time.