What's Considered Short for a Man? Understanding Height Expectations

The Average Height of a Man

Let’s start with the basics: what’s the “average” height for men? You might be surprised to know that the global average height for men is around 5'7" (170 cm). However, this number can vary depending on where you are in the world. In some countries, like the Netherlands, the average height is closer to 6 feet (183 cm), while in places like Southeast Asia, the average can be closer to 5'4" (162 cm). So, when we talk about height being "short," it’s all relative to these numbers.

The "Short" Threshold

So, what's considered short? Well, in many places, men below 5'7" (170 cm) may be considered shorter than average. But, this doesn't mean you can’t be confident if you're under that height! I had a conversation with a friend recently, and he mentioned feeling self-conscious about his height at 5'5". But honestly, once he started to embrace his uniqueness, it made a huge difference. Height doesn’t define your worth, and in fact, many women find shorter guys just as attractive as taller ones.

Social Perception and Cultural Norms

Society's Obsession with Height

Let’s get real for a second—society has a weird obsession with height. From dating apps to movies, there seems to be this idea that taller men are somehow more desirable. It's frustrating, I know. A few weeks ago, I was chatting with my cousin who’s 5'6", and he was telling me how tired he is of hearing “Oh, I thought you’d be taller” when meeting new people. It’s like people are automatically judging his worth based on something he can’t control.

But here’s the kicker—short men often face societal pressure. In fact, studies have shown that men below the average height (5'7") sometimes get less attention in certain areas like dating and even job opportunities, which is crazy when you think about it. This isn’t to say it’s always the case, but it does point to some deep-rooted cultural norms we need to challenge.

The Height Bias

There’s also something known as the height bias—the notion that taller people are more confident, stronger, or even smarter (though there’s no real data supporting this). It’s almost as if society has assigned a “value” to height, and unfortunately, shorter men sometimes get the short end of the stick (pun intended). I think this is something we should all be aware of and start changing. Because, hey, short men can be just as powerful, influential, and successful as tall ones.

How to Own Your Height

Okay, let’s pause for a second. Height is just one aspect of who you are. So, how can you feel better about being shorter than average? Here’s the thing—confidence is key. The way you carry yourself says a lot more than your height ever will.

Dress to Impress

One quick tip—clothing can actually make a huge difference. For shorter men, wearing tailored clothes, monochromatic outfits, or vertical stripes can make you appear taller. I remember a time when I wore a well-fitted suit (don’t laugh, but I’m 5'6"), and I felt like a million bucks. Everyone was noticing me! I’ve seen friends around my height looking incredible just by choosing the right clothes, so it really does help.

Embrace Your Strengths

As I was talking to another friend the other day (he’s 5'4" and has never been bothered by his height), he mentioned that it’s all about focusing on what makes you stand out—whether that’s your personality, humor, or intelligence. Short men can be super charismatic, and often, they end up with strong connections because they’re relatable and approachable. Plus, some studies even suggest that shorter people are more empathetic, which is a quality that goes a long way in relationships and friendships!

Myths About Short Men

Short Men Are Less Successful

A common myth is that shorter men are somehow less successful than taller men. Honestly, this is such a load of nonsense. Many highly successful men—Danny DeVito (4'10"), Tom Cruise (5'7"), Kevin Hart (5'4")—prove that height has nothing to do with achieving great things. These guys have built entire empires, and it’s not because they’re tall. It’s their talent, perseverance, and charisma that got them where they are.

Short Men Can’t Attract Women

This one really grinds my gears. There’s this stereotype that shorter men can’t attract women, but that’s just plain wrong. In fact, many women care much more about things like confidence, kindness, and shared values than they do about a guy’s height. Personally, I’ve seen plenty of shorter men with incredible relationships—because they focused on the things that really matter.

Conclusion: Short? Own It!

At the end of the day, height is just a number. Yes, in some situations, men under 5'7" might be considered shorter than average, but that doesn’t define you. It’s your personality, actions, and confidence that really make you stand out. If you’re shorter than what society deems “ideal,” just know that there are countless ways to shine. Don’t let anyone make you feel less-than because of your height—embrace it, own it, and make it work for you.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.