About the Adult Height Percentile Calculator
This adult height percentile calculator tells you where your height falls among adults of the same sex in the United States — for example, that a 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) man is taller than about 74% of American men. You can compare yourself with all adults aged 20 and over or narrow it to your own decade of age, which matters because average height is lower in older age groups.
The reference data are measured (not self-reported) standing heights from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2018, published by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics in January 2021. The report lists the 5th, 10th, 15th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 85th, 90th and 95th percentiles; the calculator interpolates smoothly between those points and extends a normal-distribution tail beyond the 5th and 95th percentiles.
It is meant for curiosity, clothing and equipment sizing, or putting a height into context. It describes the US population only — averages differ by country — and height alone says nothing about health. For children and teenagers use a growth-chart percentile instead, because heights are still changing.
With the default inputs, the height percentile is 74. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the adult height percentile calculator
- 1Choose your sex.
- 2Compare with all adults or pick your own age decade.
- 3Enter your barefoot height in centimetres or feet and inches.
- 4Read your percentile and how far you are from the average.
- 5Use the table to see the height at each percentile for the group.
Formula and method
The CDC table gives the height H at nine percentiles (5th to 95th). Each percentile is converted to its standard-normal z value (for example the 75th percentile is z = 0.674), and your height h is located between the two neighbouring table heights H₁ and H₂. The z-score is interpolated linearly between them and converted back to a percentile with the normal cumulative distribution Φ. Interpolating in z space follows the real, slightly skewed shape of the data rather than assuming a perfect bell curve.
Below the 5th or above the 95th percentile the calculator continues the curve with a normal tail whose standard deviation is (95th − 5th percentile) ÷ 3.29. Heights are measured without shoes in a mobile examination centre, so compare with your barefoot height. Results are capped between the 0.1st and 99.9th percentile.
- h
- Your height (cm)
- H₁, H₂
- Table heights at the percentiles just below and above you
- z₁, z₂
- Standard-normal z values of those percentiles
- Φ
- Standard normal cumulative distribution function
Worked examples
180 cm man vs. all US men
180 cm lies between the 50th (175.4 cm) and 75th (180.2 cm) percentiles. In z terms that is 0 + 0.674 × (180 − 175.4) ÷ (180.2 − 175.4) = 0.646, which corresponds to the 74th percentile — taller than about 74% of US men and 4.7 cm above the 175.3 cm average.
5 ft 4 in woman vs. all US women
5 ft 4 in is 64 × 2.54 = 162.56 cm, just above the women’s median of 161.3 cm. Interpolating toward the 75th percentile (166.0 cm) gives z = 0.181, about the 57th percentile.
190 cm man — beyond the 95th percentile
The 95th percentile for US men is 187.4 cm. Above it the calculator extends a normal tail with SD = (187.4 − 162.8) ÷ 3.29 = 7.48 cm, so 190 cm is z = 1.645 + 2.6 ÷ 7.48 = 1.99, roughly the 98th percentile.
170 cm man aged 70–79
Men in their seventies are shorter on average (median 173.1 cm). 170 cm sits between their 25th (168.6 cm) and 50th percentiles, giving about the 32nd percentile — lower than against younger men, but closer to the middle than many expect.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average height of a US adult?+
In NHANES 2015–2018 the average measured height of adults aged 20 and over was 175.3 cm (about 5 ft 9 in) for men and 161.3 cm (about 5 ft 3.5 in) for women, according to the CDC National Center for Health Statistics.
What height is the 90th percentile for men?+
For US men aged 20 and over, the 90th percentile is 184.7 cm (about 6 ft 0.7 in) and the 95th is 187.4 cm (about 6 ft 1.8 in). For women the 90th percentile is 170.2 cm and the 95th is 172.5 cm.
Why are older age groups shorter?+
Two effects combine: people lose some height with age through spinal disc compression and posture changes, and people born earlier grew up when average adult height was lower. So the 70–79 and 80+ groups have noticeably lower medians.
Does this work for other countries?+
No. The data describe the US population, which includes many ancestries. Average adult height varies by several centimetres between countries, so your percentile in, say, the Netherlands or Japan would be different.
Should I measure with shoes on?+
No. NHANES measures height barefoot with a stadiometer, so enter your barefoot height. Shoes typically add 2–4 cm, which could move you several percentiles higher than you really are.
This tool gives general estimates and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or qualified professional about your health, diet or training.