Height Calculator
Convert height between cm, feet, and inches, see how your height compares globally, and predict a child's likely adult height using the Mid-Parental Height formula.
📋 Table of contents
How to use the height calculator
This tool has three modes, switchable with the tabs above:
- Convert Height — enter your height in cm or feet/inches and instantly see it converted to every common unit.
- Height Percentile — enter your height and sex to see how you compare to the global population.
- Child Height Predictor — enter both parents' heights and the child's sex to estimate the child's likely adult height using the Mid-Parental Height formula.
How to convert height — formulas
Height conversion between metric and imperial units uses these standard formulas:
For example, 175 cm ÷ 2.54 = 68.9 inches, which equals 5 feet 8.9 inches. This calculator performs the conversion automatically and shows the result in cm, meters, feet/inches, and total inches simultaneously.
What does height depend on?
Human height is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors:
- Genetics — the single largest factor, accounting for roughly 60–80% of height variation between individuals.
- Nutrition — adequate protein, vitamins, and calories during childhood and adolescence are essential for reaching genetic height potential.
- Hormone levels — growth hormone and thyroid hormone both play key roles in bone growth.
- Health conditions — chronic illness during childhood can restrict growth.
- Sleep — growth hormone is released primarily during deep sleep, making it important during developmental years.
The Mid-Parental Height formula
This classic formula estimates a child's likely adult height based on the heights of both biological parents. It's widely used by pediatricians as a quick reference point.
The 13 cm adjustment accounts for the average height difference between adult men and women. About 68% of children end up within ±8.5 cm of this calculated estimate (one standard deviation) — which is why the calculator above shows a low and high range rather than a single number.
Average height by country
Average adult height varies considerably around the world due to genetics, nutrition, and historical living standards. Here's a snapshot of average male and female heights in several countries:
| Country | Average Male Height | Average Female Height |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 183.8 cm (6′0″) | 170.4 cm (5′7″) |
| USA | 175.3 cm (5′9″) | 161.3 cm (5′3.5″) |
| India | 165.3 cm (5′5″) | 152.6 cm (5′0″) |
| Japan | 171.2 cm (5′7.5″) | 158.3 cm (5′2.5″) |
| Brazil | 173.6 cm (5′8.5″) | 160.3 cm (5′3″) |
| UK | 177.5 cm (5′10″) | 164.4 cm (5′4.5″) |
| Nigeria | 163.8 cm (5′4.5″) | 156.3 cm (5′1.5″) |
| Global Average | 171 cm (5′7.3″) | 159 cm (5′2.6″) |
Figures are approximate national averages compiled from public health survey data and may vary by source and survey year.
Height conversion table
Quick reference for common heights in centimeters, feet/inches, and total inches:
| Centimeters | Feet & Inches | Total Inches | Meters |
|---|
When do people stop growing?
Girls typically stop growing taller around age 14–15, roughly 2–2.5 years after their first menstrual period, once the growth plates in their bones fuse.
Boys generally continue growing until around age 16–18, sometimes into the early twenties, since their growth plates fuse later than girls' on average.
Growth plates (epiphyseal plates) are areas of cartilage near the ends of long bones. Once they fully ossify (harden into bone), height growth stops permanently — this is why height predictions become more reliable as a child approaches puberty.