Average Height of Men by Country

Average Height of Men by Country

Average height is a population average. It helps you compare countries, understand regional patterns, and read health datasets. It does not describe every person.

United States

For adult men ages 20+, Healthline reports an average of about 69 inches (5′9″), based on U.S. survey data from 2015–2018.

That same source shows small differences by age group (for example, men in their 20s are slightly taller than men in their 70s and 80s).

In everyday comparisons, many people use a round metric reference, such as 175 cm to feet, when they want a quick "how tall is that in feet and inches?" check.

Worldwide average

A common global reference point for men is about 5′7.5″.

This "world average" is helpful as a midpoint, but country averages can sit noticeably above or below it.

If you're reading a chart that lists heights in centimeters, a value like 173 cm to feet often comes up as a practical comparison point.

Average height by country

Tables can look simple, but two details matter most:

Who is measured (age range and sample)

Which dataset is used (so you compare like with like)

WorldData publishes a widely used country list for men ages 18–25 across 120+ countries.

The table below uses that source and shows height in meters and centimeters.

When you scan the list, a number like 176 cm to feet can help you "feel" where a country sits without doing mental math.

Country table (selected countries, men 18–25)

Source: World Data (men 18–25).

Tall end vs short end

The top of the table is tightly clustered around the high 170s to low 180s cm, while the lower end in this dataset drops into the low-to-mid 160s and below. WorldData notes the tallest average male height in its country list is 1.84 m (Netherlands).

A commonly discussed "tall benchmark" is 183 cm to feet, because it sits near the upper end of many country averages.

Average height by continent and sub-region

Regional summaries make country lists easier to understand. WorldData groups averages by sub-region and shows clear differences within continents.

For example, it lists male averages such as Western Europe (1.80 m) and South Asia (1.66 m).

In South Asian comparisons, a reference like convert 168 cm to feet often helps when you're comparing a country's value to a personal height.

Why does the average height differ between countries?

Most height differences are shaped early in life. Genetics matters, but it does not act alone.

Healthline points to biological, nutritional, and socioeconomic factors as key influences on height.

World Data highlights heredity and nutritional standards, and also notes that illness and weaker health systems can reduce growth across populations.

When you compare regions where male averages cluster around the high 170s, a quick reference, such as 178 cm to feet, can make the difference feel real without overthinking the numbers.

Converting centimeters to feet and inches

Country tables are often listed in cm or meters, while many readers think in feet and inches. A clean conversion removes friction and helps the table stay readable.

A very common benchmark for "tall but not extreme" is convert 180 cm to feet, especially when comparing to countries near the upper-middle range.

Metric conversions also come up outside body height (for example, product dimensions, baby gear, or furniture measurements). In those cases, a smaller value, such as 65 cm to feet, is a practical reference.

Conclusion

Start with a single baseline (U.S. and global averages), then use a single, consistent country dataset to fairly compare countries. Read the list in ranges, not tiny rank changes, and use unit conversion when centimeters are hard to picture.