Convert and compare height in centimetres, metres, feet, and inches instantly.
This tool provides estimates for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Individual results vary based on your inputs and assumptions, so review important decisions with a qualified professional.
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Height is one of the most commonly discussed measurements — whether you are filling in a form, comparing yourself to national averages, predicting your child's adult height, or converting between feet and centimetres for a travel document. This guide covers everything you need to know about height measurement: how to convert between US imperial feet/inches and metric centimetres, average heights for men and women in the US and UK, how to interpret height percentile charts, and the mid-parent formula for predicting adult height.
The United States uses the imperial system for height — feet and inches. The United Kingdom officially uses metric (centimetres and metres) but in practice most British people still describe their height in feet and inches colloquially. Medical records in the UK are in metric (cm), while casual conversation is typically imperial.
| Height (ft & in) | Total Inches | Centimetres | Metres |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5' 0" | 60" | 152.4 cm | 1.524 m |
| 5' 2" | 62" | 157.5 cm | 1.575 m |
| 5' 4" | 64" | 162.6 cm | 1.626 m |
| 5' 6" | 66" | 167.6 cm | 1.676 m |
| 5' 8" | 68" | 172.7 cm | 1.727 m |
| 5' 9" | 69" | 175.3 cm | 1.753 m |
| 5' 10" | 70" | 177.8 cm | 1.778 m |
| 6' 0" | 72" | 182.9 cm | 1.829 m |
| 6' 2" | 74" | 187.9 cm | 1.879 m |
| 6' 4" | 76" | 193.0 cm | 1.930 m |
Average height varies by country, gender, generation, and ethnicity. The figures below represent national averages for adults based on recent data from the CDC (US) and NHS/UK Biobank (UK):
| Group | USA Average | UK Average |
|---|---|---|
| Adult men | 5' 9" (175.4 cm) | 5' 10" (177.5 cm) |
| Adult women | 5' 4" (162.1 cm) | 5' 4.5" (163.7 cm) |
| 18-year-old males | 5' 9" (175.3 cm) | 5' 10" (177.8 cm) |
| 18-year-old females | 5' 4" (162.5 cm) | 5' 4.5" (163.9 cm) |
UK men are very slightly taller than US men on average, though the difference is small. Both countries have seen average heights increase significantly over the past century due to improved nutrition and healthcare. A man of average height in 1900 was approximately 5'7" (170 cm) in both countries.
To put US and UK heights in context:
Height percentiles tell you what percentage of the population is shorter than a given height. For adult men in the US:
| Percentile | US Men (cm) | US Men (ft/in) | US Women (cm) | US Women (ft/in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 166.8 | 5' 5.7" | 153.4 | 5' 0.4" |
| 25th | 171.0 | 5' 7.3" | 157.5 | 5' 2" |
| 50th (median) | 175.4 | 5' 9" | 161.3 | 5' 3.5" |
| 75th | 179.9 | 5' 11" | 165.9 | 5' 5.3" |
| 90th | 184.0 | 6' 0.4" | 169.8 | 5' 6.9" |
The UK percentile distribution is similar, with the 50th percentile for men at approximately 177.5 cm (5'10") and for women at 163.7 cm (5'4.5").
The mid-parent formula is the most widely used method for predicting a child's adult height based on parents' heights. It was originally described by Francis Galton and is still used as a first estimate by paediatricians.
The mid-parent formula has a standard deviation of about 2 inches (5 cm), meaning the actual adult height will fall within 2 inches of the prediction in about 68% of cases and within 4 inches in about 95% of cases.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated using height and weight: BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². Height is therefore critical to an accurate BMI calculation. A 1 cm error in height measurement changes the BMI result, which matters for borderline weight classifications.
In the US, BMI is commonly expressed using pounds and inches: BMI = (weight in lb ÷ height in inches²) × 703. In the UK, the NHS uses metric exclusively for BMI calculations. BMI classifications are the same in both countries: under 18.5 = underweight, 18.5–24.9 = healthy weight, 25–29.9 = overweight, 30+ = obese.
Height is used in medical settings to calculate BMI, medication dosages (some drugs are dosed per cm of height), estimated creatinine clearance (kidney function), and caloric requirements. UK NHS medical records use centimetres. US medical records typically use feet and inches but may also record centimetres.
US passports record height in feet and inches. UK passports do not require height to be stated. European driving licences include height in centimetres.
In US sports, heights are almost exclusively stated in feet and inches. NFL, NBA, and MLB team rosters use imperial units. In UK sports, heights are often given in both systems: "6 feet 2 inches (188 cm)." The NBA has detailed height data showing that the average NBA player is 6'6" (198 cm), while the average NFL quarterback is 6'4" (193 cm).
First convert to total inches: 5 × 12 + 11 = 71 inches. Then multiply by 2.54: 71 × 2.54 = 180.3 cm. In metres, that is 1.803 m.
Divide by 2.54: 175 ÷ 2.54 = 68.9 inches. Divide by 12: 68.9 ÷ 12 = 5 feet with 8.9 inches remaining. So 175 cm = 5 feet 8.9 inches, typically rounded to 5'9".
The average height for an adult man in the United States is approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175.4 cm), according to CDC National Health Statistics data. This is the 50th percentile — exactly half of American men are taller and half are shorter than this figure.
The average height for an adult woman in the UK is approximately 5 feet 4.5 inches (163.7 cm), according to UK Biobank and NHS data. This is very similar to the US female average of 5'4" (162.1 cm).
For a boy: (father's height + mother's height + 5 inches) ÷ 2. For a girl: (father's height + mother's height − 5 inches) ÷ 2. In metric: add or subtract 13 cm instead of 5 inches. The result is the predicted adult height with a typical accuracy of ±2 inches (±5 cm).
Yes. BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². Height is squared in the formula, so a small change in height has a proportionally larger effect on BMI than an equivalent change in weight. A 1 cm error in measured height can change the BMI result enough to move someone from one classification to another at borderline values.
In the US, a man is generally considered tall at 6 feet (183 cm) or above, which is the 82nd percentile — taller than 82% of American men. For women, 5'7" (170 cm) is around the 80th percentile. In the UK, the same approximate thresholds apply given the similar average heights. "Very tall" is usually considered above 6'3" (190 cm) for men.
The UK officially adopted the metric system in the 1970s for most measurements, but height in everyday conversation remained in feet and inches, partly because of cultural habit and partly because of the influence of US media and entertainment. UK medical records use centimetres, while most British people still say "I'm five foot ten" rather than "I'm 177 centimetres." This informal dual-system use of height is unique to the UK among European countries.
Disclaimer: Height averages are based on published survey data and represent population means. Individual heights vary widely. Growth predictions are statistical estimates and should not substitute for medical assessment.