Resources for parents to get through the challenges.

  1. Home
  2. Mom

What Height Is Considered Tall For A Man?

The idea of tall is all relative depending on what height you are and the heights of those around you. A relatively tall person could be considered short if they are around a whole host of tall people, so what height is considered tall for a man?

In the US, the average height for men is 5’9″,  meaning once a man reaches 5’11”, they are considered tall.

Generally, the idea of tall differs from country to country but is around 2-3 inches taller than the average height. Very tall in that case would be around 5-6 inches taller than the average height. 

Here we’ve collected all the information on different heights around the world to give you a better idea of what is considered tall for a man. 

What Height Is Considered Tall For Men Around The World?

Each country will have a different idea of what is considered tall, depending on the average height of their population.

Australia’s tallest man is 7’3″, and while 6 feet is tall for an American, this is just average in the Netherlands. 5’11” is the lower end of tall in America, but in Australia and Germany, this is average. 

European countries have generally taller average heights, as well as Scandinavian countries. Meanwhile, Asian countries have much shorter average heights. 

Tall In Other Countries

Here is a breakdown of some of the average heights around the world. Usually, adding 2-3 inches to the average height will give you the height that is considered tall in that particular country. 

  • In the Netherlands, a tall man stands at 6’2″, given that 6 feet is the average height. 
  • The United Kingdom and Canada both have an average height of 5 feet 10 inches, making 6 feet tall for a man. 
  • In China, Brazil, and Iran, 5 feet 8 inches is the average. This means that a man of 5 feet 11 inches, considered average in the United States would be tall in these countries. 

The World’s Tallest Men

Here we’ve collected the average heights for men in a number of countries, meaning you can work out the height that is considered tall based on the country you are in. 

Country

Average Height

Netherlands 177.1 cm
Montenegro 176.6 cm
Estonia 175.7 cm
Bosnia-Herzegovina 175 cm
Iceland 175.5 cm
Denmark 175.7 cm
Latvia 175 cm
Czech Republic 174.6 cm
Slovenia 174.1 cm
Slovakia 174 cm
Ukraine 173.8 cm
Croatia 173.8 cm
Serbia 174.5 cm
Lithuania 174.1 cm
Poland 173.2 cm 
Finland 173.5 cm
Sweden 173.6 cm
Norway 173.4 cm
Germany 173.2 cm
Dominica 173.5 cm

 

The average height is not all that different, and many things can affect your height.

The Netherlands and Estonia are among some of the countries with the tallest average heights in the world, while Laos and Guatemala are among the countries with the lowest average height in the world. 

What Affects Your Height?

There are a number of things that can affect your height, and here we’ve put together a list of some of the things that can affect your height as you grow up. 

  • Childhood nutrition
  • Physical health
  • Hormones and health around puberty
  • Genetics and background

The number one factor that has an effect on your height is genetics. Your ethnic background will have a huge influence on the height that you end up being.

Is Being Tall An Issue?

You’ll probably hear plenty of men saying they wish they were taller, but there are some downsides to reaching the top shelf that lots of us don’t consider. 

These difficulties are usually associated with men who are extremely tall, not men who are a couple of inches above the average. 

Design Issues

A huge issue with being very tall is that the world isn’t designed for people who are very tall. You might find issues fitting into cars or buses, and you’ll be constantly watching your head when passing through doorways.

Another downside to being tall is traveling. Spending hours on a cramped train or on a flight with no leg room is not fun when you need to stretch out for a bit. 

Clothing

If you’re very tall you may have a hard time finding clothing that fits you well. You might find that you have to shop in a big and tall store, which can be difficult if you’re on the leaner side. Your other option is having items tailored for you, but this can quickly become expensive. 

Back And Neck Problems

This is a huge problem in taller men due to the size of your spine. This is a huge issue in countries where the average heigh is near or over 6 feet, and for men over six feet.

When you are over 6 feet, your spine is obviously longer, and a huge amount of pressure and strain is put on your back and neck to support all the extra weight from your extra height. 

Are Men Getting Taller?

A long time ago, good nutrition would have been the primary decider in the height that you ended up being. Nowadays, the primary decider of your height is genetics and ethnic background. So where your family comes from could be a huge factor in determining your height. 

The rate of growth has increased over the years, however, the rate of growth in America is actually slowing down compared to other countries in the world.

There are a number of reasons for this, but one reason is the diversity of America. A number of men from countries with traditionally shorter average heights are moving to America with their families, and naturally, this contributes to a wider disparity in the average height. 

FAQs

What is the most attractive height for a man?

Well, recent research has shown that the ideal height for a man is 5 foot 8. The dating app Badoo revealed that those most swiped profiles were those of men of this height.

Is being tall attractive?

There is a wide range of studies that have shown that tall men and women are generally considered more attractive. But women do not enjoy the same advantages with regard to their height as their male counterparts. For women, an average height is what seems to be preferred.

The Final Thought

So while the height considered tall around the world varies, there is a number of things that can have some effect on this.

Your genetics and ethnic background are the largest indicators that can affect your height, however, your nutrition and physical health can play some role in this. 

And while you may wish you were a few inches taller, it is worth considering some of the drawbacks associated with being very tall. And maybe for a taste of being tall, take a trip to somewhere with a lower average height than your home country!