Quick answer: write height as 5 ft 10 in or 5′10″ (feet first, then inches). In sentences, write “5 feet 10 inches tall”; before a noun, “a 5-foot-10 man”. In metric, write 178 cm or 1.78 m.
How to Write Height: The Main Formats
| Format | Example | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| ft and in | 5 ft 10 in | Everyday writing, forms |
| Prime symbols | 5′10″ | Charts, profiles, design |
| Apostrophe and quote | 5'10" | Plain text, email |
| Spelled out | 5 feet 10 inches | Formal writing, running text |
| Hyphenated adjective | a 5-foot-10 man | Before a noun (AP style) |
| Sports shorthand | 5-10 | Rosters, sports news |
| Centimeters | 178 cm | Metric countries, medicine |
| Meters | 1.78 m | Passports, science |
Feet and Inches Symbols
The symbol for feet is the prime (′) and the symbol for inches is the double prime (″). On most keyboards they are replaced with the straight apostrophe (') and straight quotation mark ("), which everyone understands. Put no space between the number and the symbol: 5′10″, not 5 ′ 10 ″.
Avoid curly (smart) quotes such as 5’10”: they are punctuation, not measurement marks, and can break spreadsheets and search.
Height in AP, Chicago and Medical Style
- AP style (news): use figures and spell out the units: “He is 5 feet 10 inches tall.” Before a noun, hyphenate: “the 5-foot-10 forward”. Sports copy may use 5-10.
- Chicago style: spell out whole numbers under 100 in non-technical text (“five feet ten inches”) but use figures with abbreviations or in technical work.
- Medical and scientific: use metric units, usually centimeters to one decimal (177.8 cm) or meters (1.78 m).
Writing Height in Centimeters and Meters
Most of the world writes height in centimeters (178 cm) or meters (1.78 m). Leave a space between the number and the unit, use no period after cm or m, and never add an s. To convert quickly, use cm to feet and inches, feet to cm or inches to cm.
Common Mistakes When Writing Height
- 5.10 ft for 5′10″: 5.10 feet means 5 feet 1.2 inches. Use 5.83 ft if you need decimal feet.
- Mixing units: avoid “5 feet 178”; give one system, or both with the second in brackets.
- “cms” or “cm.”: the symbol is always cm.
- Missing the zero: write 6′0″ or 6 ft, not 6′″.
Want to see what a height looks like? Try the height comparison tool.
Writing Height FAQ
How do you write height in feet and inches?
Write the feet, then the inches: 5 ft 10 in, or with symbols 5′10″. The single mark (′) means feet and the double mark (″) means inches. In running text, spell it out: 5 feet 10 inches.
What is the correct way to write 5 foot 10?
In everyday writing, “5 ft 10 in” or “5′10″”. Before a noun, news style (AP) uses hyphens: “a 5-foot-10 guard”. After a verb, use “feet”: “she is 5 feet 10 inches tall” or “5-10” in sports writing.
Do you write 5’10” or 5′10″?
Both are understood. The prime symbols (′ and ″) are typographically correct; straight apostrophes and quotation marks (5'10") are fine in plain text, emails and forms. Avoid curly quotes (’ and ”), which some systems misread.
Is it 5 feet or 5 foot?
Use “feet” after a number when it is a measurement (5 feet tall) and “foot” in a hyphenated adjective before a noun (a 5-foot-tall fence, a 6-foot man). “5 foot 10” is common in speech and informal writing.
How do you write height in centimeters?
Write the number, a space and cm: 178 cm. Do not add a period or an s (not cm. or cms). In meters, use two decimals: 1.78 m.
How do you write height on a form or resume?
Use the format the form asks for. Medical and government forms often want centimeters or total inches (70 in). Dating and casting profiles usually use 5′10″ or 178 cm; adding both is helpful for international readers.
Sources
- The Associated Press. AP Stylebook, entries “dimensions” and “height”.
- The University of Chicago Press. The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed., chapter 9 (Numbers).
- National Institute of Standards and Technology. NIST Special Publication 811: Guide for the Use of the International System of Units.
Style guides differ; follow the one your publication, school or form requires.