The average height of males internationally varies by country. It can depend on both biological and socioeconomic factors.
The study of measurement of the human body, such as weight, standing height, and skinfold thickness, is called anthropometry. Anthropo comes from the Greek word meaning “human.” Metry comes from the word “metron,” which means “measure.”
Scientists use these measurements for nutrition assessment and to come up with averages and trends in human growth. Designers can even use anthropometric data to create more ergonomic spaces, furniture, and assistive devices.
The data is also used in
That’s why we know what we do about height. Next up are the numbers illustrating the average height for men.
According to the
This number comes from data published in December 2018. The data was collected between 1999 and 2016 as part of a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
The analytic sample included 47,233
How does that measurement compare to other countries? Let’s take a look.
As you can imagine, the range of average heights across the world is quite broad.
A 2016 study showed that Iranian men have seen the biggest change in height over the last century, gaining about 6.7 inches (17 centimeters).
The researchers are a part of a global group of health scientists known as the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration. They explained that both biological factors (such as genetic predisposition) and socioeconomic factors (such as access to quality foods) can affect the range in heights.
Average heights for men in 15 countries
The table below includes 2016 data from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration. It shows average heights for men born between 1918 and 1996, and it’s based on an analysis of hundreds of population-based studies.
| Country | Average Height |
|---|---|
| The Netherlands | 5 ft 11.9 in (182.5 cm) |
| Germany | 5 ft 10.8 in (179.9 cm) |
| Australia | 5 ft 10.6 in (179.2 cm) |
| Canada | 5 ft 10.1 in (178.1 cm) |
| United Kingdom | 5 ft 9.9 in (177.5 cm) |
| Jamaica | 5 ft 8.7 in (174.5 cm) |
| Brazil | 5 ft 8.3 in (173.6 cm) |
| Iran | 5 ft 8.3 in (173.6 cm) |
| China | 5 ft 7.6 in (171.8 cm) |
| Japan | 5 ft 7.2 in (170.8 cm) |
| Mexico | 5 ft 6.5 in (169 cm) |
| Nigeria | 5 ft 5.3 in (165.9 cm) |
| Peru | 5 ft 5 in (165.2 cm) |
| India | 5 ft 4.9 in (164.9 cm) |
| The Philippines | 5 ft 4.25 in (163.2 cm) |
There are no international standards with regard to measuring and reporting height.
Some discrepancies may be attributed to self-reporting versus controlled measuring or to the ages of individuals who are recorded. Discrepancies may also be the result of:
- the percentage of the population measured
- the year the measurements were taken
- data being averaged over time
If everyone in your family is tall, good chances are that you might be, too. After all, a person’s height is primarily influenced by genetics. However, environmental factors also play an important role in the process.
Nutrition and a person’s access to nutrient-dense whole foods — like fresh fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy products, and whole grains — can have an impact on overall health and growth. The
How much sleep a person gets during the childhood and teen years may also influence how much human growth hormone (HGH) is released, impacting overall growth and weight.
Even a person’s posture may make a difference in height, especially if you develop a hunch from slouching.
Medical conditions that cause extremes in height
Extreme tall height is referred to as gigantism by the medical community. And there are various medical conditions that may lead to gigantism.
Acromegaly is an endocrine (hormonal) disorder where the body produces too much growth hormone, leading to tall stature. Pituitary tumors (adenoma) may cause acromegaly. Tumors form on the pituitary gland and cause too much growth hormone to be released.
Gigantism is also related to other conditions, including:
- Carney complex
- McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS)
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1)
- Neurofibromatosis
On the other end of the spectrum, dwarfism is the medical term for extreme short stature. There are upward of 300 conditions that cause dwarfism. Most of these conditions are genetic.
For example, achondroplasia is a genetic disorder that affects bone growth. People who have this condition may have a normal-sized torso with shorter arms and legs and overall shorter stature.
Some other conditions related to dwarfism include:
- Growth hormone deficiency
- Turner syndrome (Monosomy X)
- Hypothyroidism
- Intrauterine growth retardation
There is a positive correlation between height and body mass index (BMI) in young children. This means that with taller stature generally comes a larger BMI number. One English study shows that as a person gets older, there may be an inverse BMI to height relationship, particularly with women and older adults. This basically means that as a person gets taller, their BMI may be lower, on average.
BMI takes only height and weight into account, however. It isn’t a perfect measure of a person’s health. There are other factors that can influence a person’s weight, like fat mass vs. muscle mass.
Accurately measuring your height at home
(Video) How Tall is the Average Black Man in America? African American Height Statistics
Accurately measuring your height at home
It may be tricky to measure your height at home without some help. If you’d like to see where you stand, consider asking a friend or family member to help you.
Measuring your height with a partner
- Move to a room with hard flooring (no carpet) and a wall that’s clear of art or other obstructions.
- Remove shoes and any clothing or accessories that might skew your results. Take out ponytails or braids that might prevent your head from resting flat against a wall.
- Stand with feet together and heels against the wall. Straighten arms and legs. Your shoulders should be level. You may ask your partner to confirm that you’re in proper form.
- Look straight ahead and fix your gaze so that your line of sight is parallel with the floor.
- Make sure your head, shoulders, butt, and heels are all touching the wall. Due to body shape, not all parts of your body may touch, but try your best. Before taking any measurements, you should also inhale deeply and stand erect.
- Have your partner mark your height by using a flat headpiece, such as a wall-mounted ruler or other straight object, like a book. The tool should be lowered until it touches the crown of your head with firm contact.
- Your partner should mark only once, making sure their eyes are at the same level of the measurement tool, carefully marking where it meets the wall.
- Use a tape measure to determine your height from the floor to the mark.
- Record your height to
the nearest 1/8th inch or 0.1 centimeter .
Measuring your height by yourself
If you don’t have another person to help you, you may still be able to measure your height at home. Consider purchasing an inexpensive wall-mounted meter specifically for height, or follow the steps below:
- Stand on a flat surface with a clear wall that doesn’t prevent your body from making full contact.
- Stand tall with shoulders flat against the wall and slide a flat object, like a book or cutting board, along the wall until you can bring it down to make firm contact with the top of your head.
- Mark under the object where it lands.
- Use a tape measure to determine your height from the floor to the mark.
- Record your height to
the nearest 1/8th inch or 0.1 centimeter .
At the doctor’s office
You may get a relatively accurate measure at home, especially if you have help and follow all of the steps. However, it may be a good idea to get your height measured at your doctor’s office as part of a routine physical exam.
The equipment at your doctor’s office may be better calibrated, and a healthcare professional may be better trained at gathering the most precise measurement.
The tallest man to ever walk the earth was Robert Pershing Wadlow from Alton, Illinois. He stood at a whopping 8 feet 11.1 inches tall. The shortest? Chandra Bahadur Dangi of Rhimkholi, Nepal. He was just 21.5 inches tall at a measurement in 2012, the last before his death in 2015.
Currently, the tallest and shortest living males are 8 feet 2.8 inches and 2 feet 2.41 inches, respectively.
(Video) Are all Dutch People This tall?
There are certainly trends with regard to height in the United States and worldwide. However, it’s important to remember humans come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Countless factors affect height, including age, nutrition, and health conditions. Averages can help statisticians observe health and growth trends, but they shouldn’t serve as a measure of self-worth.
FAQs
How tall are average males? ›
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , the average age-adjusted height for American men 20 years old and up is 69.1 inches (175.4 centimeters) during the years 2015 to 2016. That's about 5 feet 9 inches tall.
Is 5'7 man average height for a man? ›Share on Pinterest The average height for males varies by region, due to health and nutrition. In 2017, the average male in the United States measured 69 inches (5 feet 9 inches). Around a century ago, the average height in the U.S. was 67 inches (5′ 7″).
Is 6 average height for a man? ›The average height of a human male is 5'10". So 6 foot is only slightly more than average by 2 inches. So 6 foot is above average, not tall.
Is 5 5 a good height for a guy? ›Is 5 5 good for men? About 60% of guys are the same height as you are. 20–25% being slightly less than 6 feet and around 10–15 being above 6 feet. It's a good height for a Indian male, considering the world average height is around 5′8″-5′9″.
How tall is considered short? ›According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, short stature means an estimated final height below 5 feet 3 inches for boys or 4 feet 11 inches for girls. The average height in the United States is 5 feet 8 inches for men and 5 feet 4 inches for women.
Which state has the shortest men? ›Hawaii is the shortest state, with the lowest average combined height for both males and females at 5'6″.
How much tall should a boy be? ›...
Height by age.
| Age (years) | 50th percentile height for boys (inches and centimeters) |
|---|---|
| 15 | 66.9 in. (170 cm) |
| 16 | 68.3 in. (173.5 cm) |
| 17 | 69.1 in. (175.5 cm) |
| 18 | 69.3 in. (176 cm) |
Generally speaking, 6 feet 3 inches is commonly regarded as the perfect height for a guy.
How short is short for a guy? ›How tall is considered short? According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, short stature means an estimated final height below 5 feet 3 inches for boys or 4 feet 11 inches for girls. The average height in the United States is 5 feet 8 inches for men and 5 feet 4 inches for women.
At what age do boys stop growing? ›Changes in Boys
The growth spurt of boys is, on average, about 2 years later than that of girls. By age 16, most boys have stopped growing, but their muscles will continue to develop.
What is too tall for a guy? ›
For everyday living regardless of the dating world, “too tall” would probably be 6′6″/198 cm and above. Again, the sweet spot is 6′0″/183 cm and 6′5″/195 cm.
How tall is an average white male? ›These are average heights for U.S. men by race: Non-Hispanic white: 177.4 centimeters, or just under 5 feet, 10 inches.
What height do girls like? ›A study on women and men's height preferences found that women are most satisfied when their partner was 8 inches (21cm) taller. Men are most satisfied when they are 3 inches (8cm) taller than their partner.
What height is most attractive? ›The average man prefers a woman who is 5'6”. They consider 4'11” or shorter too short, and 6'0” or taller too tall. For the average woman, the ideal height of a man is 5'11”. Women tend to say that a man of 5'4” or shorter is too short, and a romantic partner over 6'3” is too tall.
What ethnicity is the tallest? ›Latvian women are the tallest on the planet, with an average height of 170cm. * The top four tallest countries for men are the Netherlands, Belgium, Estonia and Latvia. The top four tallest countries for women are Latvia, the Netherlands, Estonia and the Czech Republic.
Is short more attractive than tall? ›Study after study has found that taller men and women are generally considered more attractive.
Do tall parents have short kids? ›The genetics of height
Genes aren't the sole predictor of a person's height. In some instances, a child might be much taller than their parents and other relatives. Or, perhaps, they may be much shorter. Such key differences may be explained by other factors outside of your genes that contribute to height.
These factors are primarily dictated by your genes. If you have taller-than-average parents, chances are you'll be tall, too. Your genes can also determine when you'll experience growth spurts, which can sometimes make some people much taller than their peers at the same age.
How tall is the average Mexican? ›In Mexico, The average height for men is around 5'7" (170 cm), while the average height for women is around 5'2" (158 cm).
How tall is the average Chinese man? ›Young Chinese often get down on themselves for being too short, but the average height of 19-year-old males in China in 2019 was 175.7 centimeters, edging out South Korea for the coveted “tallest post-2000s cohort in East Asia” crown.
How tall is the average Russian man? ›
5. The average height for Russian men born in 1970, just 50 years later, was 177 cm (69.7 inches) – an increase of 10 cm (3.9 inches) or 5.9%. (Height did not increase for those born in 1980). 6.
Can boys grow after 18? ›Summary: For most people, height will not increase after age 18 to 20 due to the closure of the growth plates in bones. Compression and decompression of the discs in your spine lead to small changes in height throughout the day.
Will son be tall if father is tall? ›A boy inherits height about equally from both mother and father. Statistically, the average adult height of a boy will be the average of the Father's height and the Mother's Height + 5 inches. So, the average boy will be taller than his father if his mother is less than 5 inches shorter than the father.
Can you grow after 21? ›An adult cannot increase their height after the growth plates close. However, there are plenty of ways a person can improve their posture to look taller.
Why is height attractive? ›According to social psychologists, most women are psychologically geared towards finding taller men more attractive because, as a result of their height, they are regarded as much more masculine.
Do guys care about height? ›In height preference studies he's conducted, Stulp says it appears that women -- and not men -- are driving the desire for a taller partner. He explains that men don't care much or only slightly care if a woman is shorter than they are, but women really do prefer a taller mate.
What country has the tallest people? ›According to the report, the Netherlands is still the world's tallest nation with the average height in the country for men 183.78 cm, or 6 foot, and 170.36 cm, or 5 foot 7 inches for women.
Are short guys fast? ›'” In reality, it doesn't make as big of a difference as people think. In fact, while tall people may have longer stride length, they also generally carry more weight than shorter people, which can even out the playing field (although, this, of course, varies from individual to individual).
Are short guys smart? ›Taller men are smarter
Height has been consistently but weakly associated with intelligence in humans. Height may be an accumulative biomarker of general health during development, or genetic factors may impact both height and intelligence.
Dating a short guy implies, being with someone who looks at you beyond your physical appearance. He can be compatible with you at various levels and there are high chances of a lasting relationship. Studies confirm that shorter men make more faithful partners and are less likely to get a divorce.
Do boys grow after 21? ›
Although some men may continue to grow in their 20s, most men's growth plates are closed by 21 years. Hence, it is unlikely for men to grow after 21 years, with some exceptions. In a healthy growth pattern, your bone increases in length due to the growth plates in the bone called epiphyses.
What age does puberty end? ›It can start as early as age 9. Puberty is a process that takes place for several years. Most girls finish puberty by age 14. Most boys finish puberty by age 15 or 16.
How do I know if I'm done growing? ›As mentioned in one of the articles one good way to see if you still have growth potential is to X-ray a wrist- the test is called a Pediatric Bone Age. It will show if your growth plates are still open. A doctor can also request lab tests- checking for hormones- such as thyroid, growth hormone and sex hormones.
Why do girls like taller guys? ›If their guy is bigger than them, they feel more petite. Many girls who were interviewed about why they lean more towards taller men say tall guys make them feel safe. They hold the image of being able to protect a woman, to keep her and her family safe. They seem stronger.
How tall is too tall for the military? ›The ideal height requirement for men in the military is between 60-80 inches / 152-203 cm. Anyone above or below this requirement is likely to get rejected.
How to get taller fast? ›- Eat a balanced diet. ...
- Use supplements with caution. ...
- Get the right amount of sleep. ...
- Stay active. ...
- Practice good posture. ...
- Use yoga to maximize your height.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average age-adjusted height for American men 20 years and older is is 69.1 inches (175.4 cm), or 5 feet 9 inches tall, and the average height of an American female over 20 years of age is 63.5 inches (161.5 cm), or 5' 3.5" tall.
How tall is the average black male? ›Black men's average height decreased to 69.1 inches in 2016 from 69.3 in 2005. Women's average height did not change significantly over the period. “People tend to overreport their height and underreport their weight,” said the senior author, Cynthia L. Ogden, an epidemiologist at the C.D.C.
How tall are Hispanic? ›...
Average Height of US-Americans.
| Race and Hispanic Origin | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic Asian | 66.8 in (169.7 cm) | 61.5 in (156.2 cm) |
| Hispanic | 66.7 in (169.5 cm) | 61.7 in (156.7 cm) |
The 'ideal' height of a partner is largely determined by your own, but in a recent study, men said that the ideal height for a female partner was 5ft 6in, while women said that 5ft 11in was the ideal height for a male partner.
What girls like in boys? ›
Girls like guys that show respect to them, their friends, and other people. Support her dreams and desires. Be willing to help her along the way to achieving her goals. It is important for girls to know that they have someone who is in their corner and will provide encouragement when they want to do something.
What height do guys like for a girl? ›What height do men prefer a woman to be? The average man prefers a woman who is 5'6”. They consider 4'11” or shorter too short, and 6'0” or taller too tall. For the average woman, the ideal height of a man is 5'11”.
What height do guys want in a girl? ›The ideal height for a woman, according to the average man, is 5'6”. Notably, this excludes 10% of men who say there is no such thing as too short and 9% who say no height is too tall. Similarly, there is no "too short" for 4% of women and no "too tall" for 7%.
What's the most attractive height for a girl? ›Women between 5' and 5'7” think 5'11” is ideal, but women above that height prefer a man to be 6'1”. Conversely, 47% of men between 6' and 6'3” say the ideal woman is between 5'8 and 5'11”, compared to just 26% of men who are between 5'8” and 5'11” and want a woman in the same range.
What is the shortest race? ›The shortest tribe are the Mbutsi people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with an average height of 1.37 m (4 ft 6 in) for men and 1.35 m (4 ft 5 in) for women, with some groups averaging only 1.32 m (4 ft 4 in) for men and 1.24 m (4 ft 1 in) for women.
What is the smallest race in the world? ›With a population that hovers around 2,000, the Toto are today considered one of the world's smallest ethnic groups, and, like their fellow Indigenous peoples from the Amazon to Australia, are experiencing the consequences of extractive industries.
What percentage of Americans are tall? ›“In the U.S. population, about 14.5 percent of all men are six feet or taller. Among CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, that number is 58 percent. Even more striking, in the general American population, 3.9 percent of adult men are six foot two or taller.
What is the perfect height for a guy? ›According to a survey performed prior to World War I, the average size for men should really be 5 feet 6 inches. However, in 1936, it was raised to 5 feet 8 inches (approx. 173 cm). Generally speaking, 6 feet 3 inches is commonly regarded as the perfect height for a guy.
How tall is the average 5'9 man? ›The average waist circumference is 40.2 inches, and the average height is just over 5 feet 9 inches (about 69.1 inches) tall. As time wears on, American men are increasing in both stature and weight. In the 1960s , the average man weighed 166.3 pounds and stood at 68.3 inches (just over 5 feet 8 inches) tall.
How many guys are over 7 feet tall? ›About 2800 people in the world are 7 feet tall or taller. Considering that the world population is approximately 7.4 billion people, this means that the percentage of 7 footers is 0.000038%. This incredibly small percentage of people explains why they are extremely sought for in the NBA.
How tall is the average white guy? ›
Race plays a large role in average heights in populations. White men (average height of 5 feet 10 inches) and black men (5 feet 9 inches) tend to be taller than Asian (5 feet 7 inches) and Hispanic (5 feet 7 inches) men.
What height do girls prefer? ›On average, women have a strong preference for tall men. In fact, women care more about dating taller men than men care about dating shorter women. A study on women and men's height preferences found that women are most satisfied when their partner was 8 inches (21cm) taller.
What is the most attractive height? ›Women between 5' and 5'7” think 5'11” is ideal, but women above that height prefer a man to be 6'1”. Conversely, 47% of men between 6' and 6'3” say the ideal woman is between 5'8 and 5'11”, compared to just 26% of men who are between 5'8” and 5'11” and want a woman in the same range.
What is the most attractive height for a boy? ›What height is most attractive for a guy? Those same studies also found that some men are too tall. The most attractive height range for men is between 5'11” and 6'3”. Men that get into the “freakishly tall” stage find it harder to date “beautiful women”.
How tall is short for guys? ›How tall is considered short? According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, short stature means an estimated final height below 5 feet 3 inches for boys or 4 feet 11 inches for girls. The average height in the United States is 5 feet 8 inches for men and 5 feet 4 inches for women.
How many 8 footers are in the world? ›In fact, there have been 17 humans in history whose height each even exceeded 8 feet (2.44 meters). But how tall was the tallest person in the world?
How tall is considered a giant? ›To be formally diagnosed with gigantism, a person generally must be over 7 feet tall. The tallest person ever officially recorded was Robert Wadlow (1918-1940), a man from Illinois who reached 8 feet and 11.1 inches in height.
How much of the world is over 6ft? ›Approximately 10% of the male population is over 6 feet tall.
What race is the tallest? ›Latvian women are the tallest on the planet, with an average height of 170cm. * The top four tallest countries for men are the Netherlands, Belgium, Estonia and Latvia. The top four tallest countries for women are Latvia, the Netherlands, Estonia and the Czech Republic.
How tall is Chinese male? ›| Country / region | Average male height | Average female height |
|---|---|---|
| China | 172.6 cm (5 ft 8 in) | 160.6 cm (5 ft 3 in) |
| China | 167.1 cm (5 ft 6 in) | 155.8 cm (5 ft 1+1⁄2 in) |
| Colombia | 170.6 cm (5 ft 7 in) | 158.7 cm (5 ft 2+1⁄2 in) |
| Comoros | — | 154.8 cm (5 ft 1 in) |
How tall are African men? ›
| Continent | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Central America | 5 ft 6.1 in (168 cm) | 5 ft 1.0 in (155 cm) |
| Africa | 5 ft 6.1 in (168 cm) | 5 ft 2.2 in (158 cm) |
| West, East, Central Asia | 5 ft 7.3 in (171 cm) | 5 ft 2.6 in (159 cm) |
| South, South-East Asia | 5 ft 4.6 in (164 cm) | 5 ft 0.2 in (153 cm) |