Quick answer: enter two or more heights above to see them side by side at true scale. For reference, the average U.S. man is 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) and the average woman 5 ft 3.5 in (161 cm), a gap of about 5.4 inches.
Height Comparison Chart
This chart shows women and men from 4 ft 11 in to 6 ft 6 in, drawn at true scale. Use the tool above to put your own people side by side.
Average Height: How You Compare
The average U.S. adult man is 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) and the average woman 5 ft 3.5 in (161 cm) (NHANES 2021–2023). Height has barely changed in the U.S. for decades, while average weight has risen. For your exact percentile by sex and age, use the height percentile calculator; to compare with other countries, see average height by country.
Common Height Differences
| Comparison | Difference | In cm |
|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 4 in vs 5 ft 10 in | 6 in | 15.2 cm |
| 5 ft 6 in vs 6 ft | 6 in | 15.2 cm |
| 5 ft 9 in vs 6 ft | 3 in | 7.6 cm |
| 5 ft 2 in vs 5 ft 8 in | 6 in | 15.2 cm |
| 5 ft vs 6 ft | 12 in | 30.5 cm |
| 6 ft vs 6 ft 4 in | 4 in | 10.2 cm |
A difference of 1 to 2 inches is hard to notice unless people stand back to back. From about 3 inches, eye levels clearly differ; at 6 inches or more, the shorter person’s eyes are around the taller person’s chin or mouth.
Height Difference in Couples
Large studies of couples, including data from the UK Biobank, find the man is taller in over 90% of couples, and the average gap is close to the population gap of 5 to 6 inches. People tend to pair with partners of similar relative height, so very tall women often have even taller partners. In surveys, many women say they prefer a partner several inches taller, while men tend to prefer a partner somewhat shorter than themselves.
How to Use the Height Comparison Tool
- Choose units. Pick feet and inches or centimeters.
- Enter each person. Type a name, choose female or male, and enter the height. Add up to five people, or use a quick-add button for average heights.
- Read the chart. Everyone is drawn at true scale on a height grid, with the difference from the tallest person listed below.
- Share or save. Copy the link to share the same comparison, or download the chart as an image.
To compare weight and build as well as height, open the 3D body visualizer and use Compare A/B.
How to Measure Your Height Accurately
Stand barefoot on a hard floor with your back to a wall, heels, buttocks and shoulders touching it, and look straight ahead. Place a flat object such as a book on top of your head, level with the floor, and mark the wall where it meets. Measure from the floor to the mark. Measure in the morning for your tallest reading; spinal discs compress slightly during the day. Need to convert the result? Use cm to feet and inches or feet to cm.
Height Comparison FAQ
How do I compare heights?
Enter each person’s height in feet and inches or centimeters. The tool draws everyone side by side at true scale on a grid and lists the difference between the tallest person and everyone else, in both inches and centimeters.
What is the average height in the U.S.?
The average U.S. man aged 20 and over is 5 ft 9 in (68.9 in, 175 cm) and the average woman is 5 ft 3.5 in (63.5 in, 161 cm), according to CDC NHANES data from 2021–2023.
What is the average height difference between men and women?
In the U.S., men are on average about 5.4 inches (14 cm) taller than women. Worldwide the gap is similar, around 12 to 14 cm, though it varies by country.
What is the average height difference in couples?
Studies of couples find the man is taller in over 90% of pairs, with an average difference of roughly 5 to 6 inches (13–15 cm), close to the gap between men and women overall.
How much taller is 6 feet than 5 feet 9 inches?
6 ft is 3 inches (7.6 cm) taller than 5 ft 9 in. In everyday terms, the taller person’s eye level is about at the top of the shorter person’s forehead.
Can I share or save a height comparison?
Yes. Use Copy link to share a link that recreates the same comparison, or Download image to save a PNG of the chart.
Why do I look shorter than my real height?
Posture, footwear and camera angle all change apparent height. A low camera makes people look taller and a high camera shorter. You are also up to about 1 cm taller in the morning than in the evening.
Sources
- Fryar CD, et al. Anthropometric Reference Data for Children and Adults: United States, August 2021–August 2023. NCHS, 2025.
- Stulp G, Buunk AP, Pollet TV. Women want taller men more than men want shorter women. Personality and Individual Differences. 2013;54(8):877–883.
- Yengo L, et al. Imprint of assortative mating on the human genome. Nature Human Behaviour. 2018;2:948–954.
This page is for general information and education. It is not medical advice.