What is the Average Height For Women in the U.S.?

Here’s the thing: there’s no “perfect” number. But getting a clearer picture of where you stand—literally—can be oddly reassuring. In this piece, you’ll see how your height compares not just across the U.S., but globally. We'll dig into what those numbers really mean (and, honestly, what they don’t).

Let’s unpack it.

Key Takeaways

• The average height of American women is 5 feet 4 inches (63.7 inches).

• Globally, the average height for women is 5 feet 3 inches (63 inches).

• Height is primarily determined by genetics, but nutrition, sleep, physical activity, and socioeconomic status also play a role.

• The average height of women in the U.S. has slightly increased over time, but has shown a small decline in recent years.

What is the Average Height for American Women?

The average height for adult women in the U.S. is about 5 feet 4 inches, based on data collected in January 2021 by the CDC. This measurement reflects the typical height of women across all age groups in the country. However, height can vary depending on factors like ethnicity, age, and geographic location, offering some interesting insights into the diversity of American females.

Here’s a closer look at the breakdown by ethnicity:

What is the Average Height for Women in the World?

Now, here’s something you’ve probably wondered while shopping for jeans or adjusting your airplane seat — how tall are women on average around the world? Well, the global average height for adult women is about 5 feet 3 inches (63 inches or 160 cm). But that number? It only tells part of the story.

You see, the averages shift dramatically depending on where you’re standing. In countries with better access to nutrition, healthcare, and consistent childhood development, you’ll generally see taller averages. Northern and Central Europe really lead the pack, and not by a small margin either.

Here’s what that looks like in real numbers:

• Netherlands: 5’7.07” (170.36 cm) – tallest globally, and honestly, not surprising.

• Montenegro: 5’6.91” (169.96 cm) – small country, tall people.

• Denmark: 5’6.72” (169.47 cm) – consistency in height and healthcare.

• Iceland: 5’6.50” (168.91 cm) – maybe it’s the diet?

• Latvia: 5’6.46” (168.81 cm) – strong genetic influences here.

And on the flip side? You’ve got regions where shorter averages are the norm, often tied to long-term socioeconomic challenges or historical nutrition deficits.

Take a look:

• Guatemala: 4’11” (150.9 cm) – yep, under 5 feet.

• Timor-Leste: 5’0” (152.7 cm) – island nations often show lower averages.

• Laos: 5’0.5” (153.1 cm) – slight bump, but still below global average.

Factors Affecting the Women’s Average Height

Genetics

You might not like this part, but genetics pretty much calls the shots. About 60 to 80% of your height is already decided before you're even born. It’s not just about whether your parents are tall or short either—over 700 different genetic variants play a role in determining how tall you’ll end up.

Nutrition

Without the right nutrients, your body simply doesn’t have the building blocks it needs to reach full height potential. It’s kind of like trying to build a house without enough bricks. Sure, the blueprint’s there (genetics), but without materials? You’re capping your own structure.

During childhood and puberty especially, a diet rich in protein, calcium, and fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, and E isn’t optional—it’s critical. What’s been seen over and over again is this: kids who eat well, grow well. [2]

Now, iron? That one’s sneaky. Deficiency doesn’t just affect energy levels—it can slow down growth and even mess with brain development. The Lancet ran a study showing that infants low in iron scored lower on motor and mental development. Think about that. One nutrient affecting both height and how your brain works?

So if you're serious about growing taller, don’t just count calories—count quality. Your growth depends on it.

📌 To ensure optimal growth, consider adding supplements that support growth, like those rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. 

Health and Lifestyle

Now, here’s something that doesn’t get said enough—you don’t just grow in your sleep, but also because of your sleep. Growth hormone? That stuff shows up when you're deep in dreamland, not when you're up binge-watching at 1 a.m. If you're aiming to grow taller, those 8–10 hours of real, restful sleep aren't negotiable.

Then there’s movement. Not just any movement, either—the kind that makes your bones work for it. Running, basketball, even just jumping rope can trigger bone-strengthening signals that help lengthen your frame over time. Think of it like giving your bones a reason to adapt.

But here's the thing: it’s not always under your control. Conditions like IBD or juvenile arthritis can quietly interfere with nutrient absorption, even when you're doing everything right. That’s why keeping tabs on your health and getting proper medical care matters just as much as sleep or training.

What’s worked best? A lifestyle that doesn’t just chase growth—it supports it from every angle. So move your body, protect your sleep, and if something feels off? Don’t wait. Growth thrives on consistency, not guesswork.

Socioeconomic Factors

Your environment shapes more than your mindset; it shapes your bones too. If you grow up with clean water, good food, access to healthcare, and a stable home life, your body’s set up to thrive. But when any of those are missing? Growth can stall, fast.

Kids in low-income settings often face a triple threat: poor nutrition, limited medical care, and chronic stress. And here's the kicker—emotional stress alone can physically stunt growth. There's even a term for it: psychosocial short stature. That’s not just a textbook thing—it happens, especially when kids live with fear, neglect, or trauma for too long.

So if you're thinking it's just about food or exercise, don’t miss this piece. Your height isn’t just genetic—it’s situational. And sometimes, the biggest growth-blockers aren’t in your body. They’re around you.

How Has the Average Height of Women Changed Over Time?

You’d think that with all the medical advancements, better food supply, and smarter health habits, average height would just keep climbing, right? But that’s not exactly what’s happening—at least not in the U.S. Back in the early 1900s, the average young woman stood around 62.4 inches tall. Over the years, that crept up to just under 5’4”, but then… things plateaued. In fact, between 1999 and 2016, there was a tiny dip—from 5'3.8" down to 5'3.7".

Now, globally? Totally different story. South Korean women gained about 8 inches over the last century. Dutch women? Averaging around 5'7" now, which is wild when you put it next to U.S. stats. So what’s the deal?

Experts have floated some solid theories: nutrition quality, access to healthcare, shifting immigration patterns, and even chronic stress tied to socioeconomic factors. It’s not just genetics—it’s environment, opportunity, and lifestyle, all stacked together.

So if you're comparing growth trends, don't just look at one country in a vacuum. Context matters, and the body reflects that.

In conclusion,

Understanding the average height for women in the U.S. or worldwide highlights that growth is influenced by multiple factors. Genetics, nutrition, and environment all play a crucial role in determining how tall a woman will grow. So, while numbers can tell us a lot, they don’t tell the whole story.

FAQs

How tall is an average female woman?

The average height for a female is about 5 feet 4 inches in the U.S., according to the CDC data from 2015 to 2018. Meanwhile, the average woman height worldwide varies from around 4 feet 11 inches (in Guatemala) to 5 feet 7.07 inches (in Netherlands).

Is 5’7” considered tall for a female?

So here’s the thing—in the U.S., yes, 5’7” is generally seen as tall for a woman. Not super tall, not model-on-a-catwalk tall, but definitely above average. The typical height range for adult women in America lands somewhere between 5’3” and 5’4”, depending on the dataset. So if you're 5’7”? You’re standing at least 3 inches taller than most of your peers.

Is 5’3” short for a woman?

Well, here’s the thing—5’3” really isn’t short in any meaningful way, at least not in the U.S. context. It sits just one inch below the national average for adult women, which hovers around 5’4” (or 5’3.8” depending on the data set). So while it might feel “on the shorter side,” it’s still right in the average range.

What is an ideal height for women?

No universal “perfect height” exists for women because ideal depends entirely on where you are, who you ask, and what standards you're using. In the United States, the average height for adult women tends to hover around 5’3.5” to 5’4”, so if you’re looking for a baseline, that’s a decent reference point. But that’s all it is—a reference.

Now, dig a little deeper, and things get interesting. In places like the Netherlands, women average around 5’7”, while in countries like Guatemala or the Philippines, the national average is closer to 4’11” to 5’1”. So depending on where you stand (literally), you could be considered tall, average, or short—and all without changing an inch.

How does nutrition affect a woman’s height?

You might already know that your height is largely determined by genetics—but what you feed that genetic blueprint can make a surprising difference. Now, here's the thing: during key growth phases—especially between ages 10 and 18—your body is practically begging for the right nutrients. And if it doesn’t get them? You could miss out on reaching your full height potential. Not dramatically, maybe just an inch or two... but that inch can matter.

What I've found is, your diet during these years isn't just about eating “healthy”—it’s about fueling growth on a cellular level. Certain nutrients are non-negotiable if you’re serious about maximizing height:

• Protein – This one's the building block of muscle and bone. Without enough protein, especially lean sources like eggs, chicken, or lentils, your growth slows down. It’s that simple.
• Calcium – Your bones do most of their lengthening during adolescence. No calcium? No strong bone structure. Dairy helps, but so do dark leafy greens.
• Vitamin D – You can be eating calcium-rich foods all day, but without D, your body won’t absorb it properly. A little sunlight + fortified foods = your best bet.

Now, supplements—these can help, if your diet’s a bit off or you’re not getting enough of the essentials. Just don’t lean on them as a crutch. Think of them more like backup singers, not the lead vocalist.

References

[1] Max Roser, Cameron Appel, and Hannah Ritchie (2021) - “Human Height” Published online at OurWorldinData.org. https://ourworldindata.org/human-height 

[2] Yifan Hua, Thomas Remer, Adult Stature and Protein Intake During Childhood and Adolescence From 3 Years Onward, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 107, Issue 7, July 2022, Pages e2833–e2842, https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgac205 

[3] NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). A century of trends in adult human height. Elife. 2016 Jul 26;5:e13410. doi: 10.7554/eLife.13410. PMID: 27458798; PMCID: PMC4961475. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27458798/ 

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