If I had a dollar for every time I wished I were taller, I’d be a millionaire by now. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works.
Height is mostly genetic, so it can be HARD to combat the natural height you’re prescribed to be.
But, if you’re not sure how you stack up to everyone else, then this helpful guide will show you your height compared to others in the U.S. and worldwide.
What height is considered tall? On average, the U.S. male is 68.9 inches (175.1 cm) and the U.S. female is 63.5 inches (161.3 cm). Globally, the average height is 68.0 inches (172 cm) for men and 63.3 inches (161 cm) for women. If you’re taller than those averages, then you are considered tall.
So, what does all that mean?
Averages might not be enough, though. Sometimes, being tall is in relation to where you live or where you currently are.
In this article, I’ll discuss:
- How to accurately measure your weight
- What height is considered tall (for both men and women)
- How tall people are across the globe and by region
- The top 10 tallest countries
- 7 easy ways to know if you’re tall
- The most attractive height for men and women
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
How to Accurately Measure Your Height
If you haven’t been to the doctor recently, it’s entirely possible that you don’t know what your height is. Therefore, all the numbers above were gobbledygook.
They still might have been…
Here are the steps to accurately measure your height at home (you’ll need a friend for a more accurate measurement):
- Find a flat part of the floor that has no carpet and a wall that has no ornaments or decoration. Essentially, you want flat spaces all around.
- Remove your shoes so you don’t end up claiming to be tall like Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune in elevator shoes.
- Remove anything that may be in your hair or any fancy designs, such as headbands, braids, etc.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing and nothing bulky so that it doesn’t inhibit how flat you are against the wall.
- Stand with your feet flat on the floor and your heels against the corner where the wall and floor meet. If you’ve done this right, your head, shoulders, and butt should be touching the wall.
- Stand up and look straight ahead so that you’re parallel to the floor.
- Have your friend place a flat object such as a ruler to form a right angle with the wall.
- Have your friend lightly mark the spot on the wall where the flat object meets your head.
- Use a tape measure (best if it stays straight) to go from the mark on the wall all the way down to the floor where your feet are.
- Record the measurement to the nearest 1/8 of an inch (that’s the smallest notch) or 0.1 centimeter.
If you’ve done that, then congrats!
You now have your new height and make sure write it down in a place where you won’t forget.
(Don’t forget to erase the mark you left on the wall).
What Do You Call Someone Who is Tall?
How do you describe a tall person?
Not negatively, I hope.
Steer clear from calling a tall person a giant or hulk. While lanky and portly can be good words to describe someone, they typically factor in weight on top of height. The best way to describe someone who is tall is just that. They’re above the average height.
No need to insult anyone. They may already feel self-conscious about their height and your insults could add to their lower sense of self-esteem.
What Height is Considered Tall?
I’ll copy my answer from above in case you scrolled past it.
On average, the U.S. male is 68.9 inches (175.1 cm) and the U.S. female is 63.5 inches (161.3 cm). Globally, the average height is 68.0 inches (172 cm) for men and 63.3 inches (161 cm) for women.
If you are taller than that, you’re likely tall.
That being said, someone who’s 5′ 10″ might be taller than average but feel short next to someone who’s 6′ 2″. That’s why averages aren’t a perfect science.
Later, we’ll go over methods to detect if you’re tall, and by that I mean that socially speaking, other people deem you as tall.
In this section, I’ll break down into more detail the average height for men and women in the following age groups:
- 20 to 39
- 40 to 59
- 60 and over
Time to get nitty-gritty with numbers.
How Tall is Tall for a Man?
Here is a detailed breakdown of the average height of men in the U.S. broken down by age range.
Average Height for Men in U.S.
| Age Group | Average Height (Inches) | Average Height (Feet and Inches) | Average Height (Centimeters) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-39 | 69.3 | 5' 9.3" | 176.1 |
| 40-59 | 69.2 | 5' 9.2" | 175.8 |
| 60 and Over | 68.3 | 5' 8.3" | 173.4 |
| Average Height | 68.9 | 5' 8.9" | 175.1 |
Those figures were sourced from the National Health Statistics Reports from 1999 to 2000 through 2015 to 2016.
So, if you are 5′ 9″ or taller and a male, you are officially taller than average.
But, other people may not see you that way or you may still be short in certain groups or crowds.
What Height is Considered Too Tall for a Man?
Once you’re taller than 6′ 2″ (188 cm), your height may inhibit you. Or, you may notice that people know and recognize you for being the tall one.
For example, you may not be able to:
- Walk through entryways and doorways easily without ducking
- Sit at a desk and have it be the right level
- Use a kitchen like everyone else because the height of countertops is lower than you’d like
But, there are modifications you can make to your house so that it is more friendly to your height. Others may feel a bit uncomfortable, but you are the primary concern.
What Height is Considered Tall for a Girl?
Here is a detailed breakdown of the average height of women in the U.S. broken down by age range.
Average Height for Women in U.S.
| Age Group | Average Height (Inches) | Average Height (Feet and Inches) | Average Height (Centimeters) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-39 | 64.0 | 5' 4.0" | 162.7 |
| 40-59 | 63.8 | 5' 3.8" | 162.1 |
| 60 and Over | 62.7 | 5' 2.7" | 159.3 |
| Average Height | 63.5 | 5' 3.5" | 161.3 |
Those figures were sourced from the National Health Statistics Reports from 1999 to 2000 through 2015 to 2016.
So, if you are 5′ 4″ or taller and a female, you are officially taller than average.
But, other people may not see you that way or you may still be short in certain groups or crowds. The female beauty ideal is tall and slender, so women who are less than 5′ 8″ (173 cm) may still feel short.
High heels can help you achieve a taller height but long-term usage can cause foot issues.
How Tall are People Across the Globe?
When it comes to classifying your height in your environment, a table for average heights across the globe may be of assistance.
The regions are broken up into sub-regions within:
- Africa
- America
- Asia
- Australia
- Europe
- Oceania
Here’s a detailed breakdown for average heights across the globe.
Average Height by Continent
| Region | Male Height | Female Height |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Africa | 65.7 in (167 cm) | 61.8 in (157 cm) |
| Central Africa | 66.5 in (169 cm) | 62.2 in (158 cm) |
| Southern Africa | 66.5 in (169 cm) | 62.6 in (159 cm) |
| Northern Africa | 68.1 in (173 cm) | 63.4 in (161 cm) |
| Western Africa | 66.9 in (170 cm) | 62.6 in (159 cm) |
| Caribbean | 68.5 in (174 cm) | 63.4 in (161 cm) |
| North America | 69.7 in (177 cm) | 64.2 in (163 cm) |
| Central America | 66.5 in (169 cm) | 61.8 in (157 cm) |
| South America | 68.1 in (173 cm) | 63.0 in (160 cm) |
| South Asia | 65.4 in (166 cm) | 61.0 in (155 cm) |
| Southeast Asia | 65.7 in (167 cm) | 61.0 in (155 cm) |
| Western Asia | 67.7 in (172 cm) | 62.6 in (159 cm) |
| Central Asia | 67.3 in (171 cm) | 63.0 in (160 cm) |
| East Asia | 68.5 in (174 cm) | 63.8 in (162 cm) |
| Australia / New Zealand | 70.1 in (178 cm) | 65.0 in (165 cm) |
| Western Europe | 70.9 in (180 cm) | 65.4 in (166 cm) |
| Southern Europe | 69.3 in (176 cm) | 64.2 in (163 cm) |
| British Isles | 70.1 in (178 cm) | 64.6 in (164 cm) |
| Eastern Europe | 70.1 in (178 cm) | 65.0 in (165 cm) |
| Northern Europe | 71.3 in (181 cm) | 65.7 in (167 cm) |
| Polynesia | 69.3 in (176 cm) | 65.0 in (165 cm) |
| Melanesia | 64.6 in (164 cm) | 61.8 in (157 cm) |
| Micronesia | 66.5 in (169 cm) | 62.6 in (159 cm) |
| Average Height | 68.0 in (172 cm) | 63.3 in (161 cm) |
These figures are based on a summary of scientific studies evaluated by the NCD Risk Factor Evaluation and published in the medical journal The Lancet. There are more than 2100 studies summarized there from 1985 to 20019. The data above reflects the last 3 years of that period.
To summarize what was presented above, the global average height is 68.0 inches (172 cm) for men and 63.3 inches (161 cm) for women.
The World’s 10 Tallest Countries
Surprise, surprise, the U.S. is nowhere to be found in the top 10 tallest countries.
We’re actually #44 on the list, according to WorldData.info.
Here’s a table of the top 10 countries and their average heights.
Top 10 Tallest Countries
| Country | Male Height | Female Height |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 72.4 in (184 cm) | 66.9 in (170 cm) |
| Montenegro | 72.0 in (183 cm) | 66.9 in (170 cm) |
| Estonia | 71.7 in (182 cm) | 66.1 in (168 cm) |
| Denmark | 71.7 in (182 cm) | 66.5 in (169 cm) |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 71.7 in (182 cm) | 65.7 in (167 cm) |
| Iceland | 71.3 in (181 cm) | 66.1 in (168 cm) |
| Czechia | 71.3 in (181 cm) | 66.1 in (168 cm) |
| Slovenia | 71.3 in (181 cm) | 65.7 in (167 cm) |
| Slovakia | 71.3 in (181 cm) | 65.7 in (167 cm) |
| Croatia | 71.3 in (181 cm) | 65.7 in (167 cm) |
Here are a few interesting tidbits about global heights you may not have known:
- In almost all countries, the average body size has increased over the last 100 years
- Germans were approximately 5.1 in (13 cm) smaller at the beginning of the 20th century
- Spanish men increased over 5.5 in (14 cm) and Iranians over 6.3 in (16 cm)
- The height of South Korean women rose by 7.9 in (20 cm)
Never in the history of evolution have humans increased so much since the Industrial Revolution at the end of the 18th century.
In the preceding 1,000 years, both men and women didn’t grow at all on average and before that, it was only 0.4 in (1 cm) to 0.8 in (2 cm) in the 1,000 years before that.
So, I can confidently say that you were taller on average than your ancestors.
7 Easy Ways to Know if You’re Tall
Now that I’ve got the ugly math out of the way, here are some ways to know if you’re tall that require observation skills and no high school diploma.
I’ve racked my brain to come up with 7 ways to know if you’re tall (comparatively speaking):
- You look down on people whenever you’re in a crowd
- You’re taller than your friends and family
- Puberty hit you early
- You can rarely find clothes off the rack that fit you
- You’re constantly asked if you’re a model, basketball player, or tree
- You’re terrible at playing hide-and-seek
- You’re asked how the weather is up there
Let’s explore these a little more!
1. You Look Down on People Whenever You’re in a Crowd
Tall people are just a head above the rest (pun absolutely intended).
There’s no way to go about that.
If you’re the tallest person in a crowd and are looking down at everyone else (and not in a bad way), then you’re likely tall.
You may even be asked to give a piggy-back ride to a shorter person so they can see. Hope you’ve got a good back.
2. You’re Taller Than Your Friends and Family
Similar to the last one, if you’re taller than your friends and family, you’re typically tall.
I know I promised no math, but this is too important to skip. An old formula to figure out your theoretical height based on genetics is this:
- Add your mother’s and father’s height together
- Add 5 inches (to accommodate for women being smaller on average)
- Divide that by 2
Here’s an example for me:
- My dad is 5′ 11″ and my mom is 5′ 0″. That means they are 131 inches together total.
- After adding 5 inches, I arrive at 136.
- Divide that by 2 and I get 68 inches.
My actual height is about 68.5 inches, or 5′ 8.5″, so that’s just about spot on for me. But, it can easily be askew…
Let me know in the comments below if yours is accurate, too.
3. Puberty Hit You Early
Puberty can be an early indication of whether you’re going to be tall or not.
The average age for puberty is:
- Males: 8 to 13
- Females: 9 to 15
If you have a growth spurt and just continue to grow (aka you’re the tallest person in the class photo and are ALWAYS told to stand in the back), then you’ll likely end up being tall.
But, it’s not impossible to have a growth spurt and then just never grow again.
I swear I gained 2 to 3 shoe sizes in one year (and my feet are different sizes) and then it never changed again. You never know when you’re going to keep growing or not.
4. You Can Rarely Find Clothes Off the Rack That Fit You
This is a legitimate issue for people who are tall.
While there are big & tall stores, they’re often more expensive because of the extra fabric needed to create the garments for taller and wider people.
Taller people have:
- Longer legs
- Longer arms
And just about a longer everything else.
Because of that, it can be hard to find clothes off the rack. You may need to get your clothes tailored just so that they reasonably fit.
5. You’re Constantly Asked if You’re a Model, Basketball Player, or Tree
Sometimes, this is meant as a compliment and sometimes it’s not.
Basketball players, volleyball players (athletes, in general) and models/actors are commonly known to be tall. But, it’s a usually wrong assumption that all tall people are gifted athletes or can smize until their eyes start bleeding.
For example:
- Male model Aaron Frew at only 5′ 7″ (170 cm) has walked on international runways for massive designers in an industry that’s typically dominated by people 5′ 10″ to 6′ 2″.
- Muggsy Bogues was the shortest player to ever play in the NBA at 5′ 3″ (160 cm). He had a 14-season career in the NBA and most people are a good 8 to 10 inches taller than him.
I say all this to remind you that you can be successful in an industry where your height may be polarizing, but you’ll have to put in the work.
6. You’re Terrible at Playing Hide-and-Seek
This may be a bit juvenile, but hide-and-seek is extremely hard to do when you’re tall.
Your limbs just don’t contort like your smaller counterparts and that can mean your location is easily made.
Unfortunately, there’s little to be done about this unless you’ve got a massive curtain to hide behind or you’re always the one seeking people out.
7. You’re Asked How the Weather is Up There
I have to admit…
This is a bit demeaning. And insulting.
It’s just rude, to be frank.
But, if you’ve ever been asked “how the weather is up there,” chances are you’re tall.
I just hope for your sake that it was meant in good jest and not to hurt you.
What is the Most Attractive Height? Is Being Tall Attractive?
Believe it or not, you don’t need to be Adonis in the flesh to appear attracted to the opposite sex (or the same sex if that’s how you swing. No judgment!).
Here’s a table documenting the average height for attraction for men and women.
Average Height for Attraction
| Region | Male Height | Female Height |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. | 5' 7" to 5' 11" (170 cm to 180 cm) | 5' 3" to 5' 6" (160 cm to 168 cm) |
| Worldwide | 5' 7" to 5' 11" (170 cm to 180 cm) | 5' 3" to 5' 7" (160 cm to 170 cm) |
These figures were obtained from a study done by the dating app Badoo based on people in the 18 to 30 age range. The figures also represent heterosexual attraction only, not homosexual attraction.
The Most Attractive Height for Men
In case you missed the table above, the average height for men to be considered attractive is:
- US: 5′ 7″ to 5′ 11″ (170 cm to 180 cm)
- Worldwide: 5′ 7″ to 5′ 11″ (170 cm to 180 cm)
It’s the same figure for both and not a typo.
So, if you’re between 5′ 7″ and 5′ 11″ (170 cm to 180 cm), then women will most likely find you attractive and swipe right for you.
If you’re not in that range, it DOES NOT mean you’re not attractive. There is a soulmate for you out there. Just keep looking.
The Most Attractive Height for Women
In case you missed the table above, the average height for women to be considered attractive is:
- US: 5′ 3″ to 5′ 6″ (160 cm to 168 cm)
- Worldwide: 5′ 3″ to 5′ 7″ (160 cm to 170 cm)
So, if you’re between 5′ 3″ and 5′ 7″ (160 cm to 170 cm), then men will most likely find you attractive and swipe right for you.
If you’re not in that range, it DOES NOT mean you’re not attractive. There is a soulmate for you out there. Just keep looking.
Conclusion
If you scrolled past all the juicy details, no worries!
I completely understand you’ve got better things to be doing than nerding out on the average height of men and women across the globe.
So, what height is considered tall?
On average, the U.S. male is 68.9 inches (175.1 cm) and the U.S. female is 63.5 inches (161.3 cm). Globally, the average height is 68.0 inches (172 cm) for men and 63.3 inches (161 cm) for women. If you’re taller than those averages, then you are considered tall.
In this article, we also discussed:
- How to accurately measure your weight
- What height is considered tall (for both men and women)
- How tall people are across the globe and by region
- The top 10 tallest countries
- 7 easy ways to know if you’re tall
- The most attractive height for men and women
If you have any questions about your height or any of the statistics present in this article, drop me a comment below. I’d love to know how your height stacks up to everyone else.
And, remember…
Don’t let your height make you ashamed of yourself, whether you’re short or tall.
Own your body and be confident.
To your healthy life!
