Average height for men
U.S. men age 20 and over average 175.1 cm (5 ft 8.9 in), and the median is 175.2 cm. The middle 90% run from 162.2 cm at the 5th percentile to 187.2 cm at the 95th. Men in their 20s to 40s average about 176 cm; the oldest groups average less.
Average height for women
U.S. women age 20 and over average 161.2 cm (5 ft 3.5 in), with the same median. The middle 90% run from 149.6 cm to 172.5 cm. Women in their 20s average 163.5 cm.
How rare is 6 feet?
About 15% of men are 6 feet (182.9 cm) or taller, interpolating between the published percentiles. For women, 5 ft 10 in (177.8 cm) is above the 95th percentile, so fewer than 5% reach it, and about 19% are 5 ft 6 in or taller. Enter any height in the height percentile calculator to see exactly where it falls for your sex and age group.
Measured, not self-reported
These are the CDC’s Anthropometric Reference Data, Table 7: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey measured 2,690 men and 3,307 women age 20 and over from August 2021 to August 2023, weighted to represent U.S. adults. The report was released in June 2025. Heights were measured, not self-reported.
Good questions
What is the average height for men?
175.1 cm, or 5 ft 8.9 in, for U.S. men age 20 and over, measured by the CDC’s NHANES survey from August 2021 to August 2023. The median is 175.2 cm: half of men are taller.
What is the average height for women?
161.2 cm, or 5 ft 3.5 in, for U.S. women age 20 and over in the same CDC measurements. The median is also 161.2 cm.
What percentage of men are over 6 feet?
About 15% of U.S. men age 20 and over are 6 feet (182.9 cm) or taller, interpolating between the CDC’s published 75th and 85th percentiles. About 5% are 187.2 cm, roughly 6 ft 1.7 in, or taller.
How rare is a woman 5 feet 10 or taller?
Fewer than 5% of U.S. women age 20 and over are 5 ft 10 in (177.8 cm) or taller: the CDC’s 95th percentile for women is 172.5 cm. About 19% are 5 ft 6 in or taller.
Are older adults shorter?
Older age groups are shorter on average: men 80 and over average 170.5 cm against 176.3 cm at 20–29, and women 156.8 cm against 163.5 cm. A snapshot like this compares different generations, so it does not show how much one person shrinks.