Height Converter
Convert height between centimeters, meters, feet and inches. Perfect for understanding international height measurements.
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Understanding Height Measurements
Height is one of the most commonly converted measurements worldwide. Whether you're checking your height at the doctor's office, looking at athlete statistics, or shopping for clothes internationally, understanding different height systems is essential.
The world primarily uses two systems:
- Metric System: Centimeters (cm) and meters (m) - used by most countries
- Imperial System: Feet (ft) and inches (in) - used mainly in the United States
Conversion Formulas
The key relationship to remember:
From this, we can derive:
- 1 foot = 12 inches = 30.48 cm
- 1 meter = 100 cm ≈ 3 feet 3.37 inches
To quickly estimate cm from feet/inches: multiply feet by 30, add inches × 2.5. For example, 5'10" ≈ 150 + 25 = 175 cm (actual: 177.8 cm)
Common Height References
| Description | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Average adult female (worldwide) | 162 cm | 5' 4" |
| Average adult male (worldwide) | 175 cm | 5' 9" |
| NBA average height | 198 cm | 6' 6" |
| Airline overhead bin clearance | ~183 cm | ~6' 0" |
| Standard doorway | 203 cm | 6' 8" |
Average Heights by Country
Tallest countries (male average):
- Netherlands: 183.8 cm (6' 0.4")
- Montenegro: 183.2 cm (6' 0.1")
- Denmark: 181.4 cm (5' 11.4")
Shorter averages:
- Indonesia: 165.7 cm (5' 5.2")
- Philippines: 163.5 cm (5' 4.4")
How to Read Imperial Heights
Imperial heights are written as feet' inches" (with apostrophe and quotes):
- 5'10" = 5 feet, 10 inches = 177.8 cm
- 6'2" = 6 feet, 2 inches = 187.96 cm
When someone says they're "six foot" (singular), they mean exactly 6'0" = 182.88 cm
Practical Uses
Medical Records: Many countries use different systems. Your height might be recorded as 175 cm in Europe but 5'9" in the US.
Sports Statistics: American sports (NBA, NFL) use feet/inches, while international sports often use centimeters.
Online Shopping: Clothing size charts may list heights in either system depending on the retailer's country.
Travel: Knowing both systems helps when dealing with height restrictions (rides, vehicles) in different countries.