Average Height for Women: US, World, By Age & Country

If you’ve ever wondered where you stand height-wise among women in the US—or how the numbers shift across countries—this guide cuts through the guesswork. I dug into the data so you don’t have to, pulling together everything from national health surveys to worldwide averages by age group.

US Average: 5 feet 3.5 inches ·
Global Range: 5 feet 2 inches to 5 feet 5 inches ·
World Data Countries: 18 to 25 years old ·
US Range: 4 feet 11 inches to 5 feet 7 inches ·
Irish Trends: Teenagers taller than 35 years ago

How tall is an average female?

In the United States, adult women aged 20 and older average 5 feet 3½ inches (63.5 inches or 161.3 centimeters) according to 2015–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. This figure represents both the mean and median, meaning half of US women are taller and half are shorter.

US average by age group

Height among US women varies by age cohort. The data shows a distinct pattern:

The pattern is clear: US women reach peak height between their mid-20s and early 40s, then gradually lose stature through older age—a natural consequence of spinal disc compression and bone density changes.

Worldwide average

Globally, the average height for women born in 1996 is 159 centimeters (5 feet 2.6 inches), according to Our World in Data. This figure encompasses both sexes and all regions, which explains why it falls slightly below the US average.

In feet and centimeters

For quick reference: 5 feet 3.5 inches converts to exactly 161.3 centimeters. The US average of 5’3½” falls within the broader global range of roughly 5’2″ to 5’5″, depending on the country and study methodology.

What is the average height for women by age?

Tracking height by age reveals a predictable arc: growth continues into the early 20s, stability holds through middle adulthood, and gradual decline sets in after 50. The CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey provides the most reliable US benchmarks for these age-specific patterns.

Height trends across the lifespan

The data from the DQYDJ height calculator breaks down median heights decade by decade. Younger women (18-24) already stand at 5’4.09″—slightly above the overall adult average—reflecting better childhood nutrition in recent decades. The 25-39 age bracket maintains the peak at roughly 5’4″ before the gradual descent begins.

What is the average height of Irish women?

Irish women are part of the taller European population cluster. Research shows that Irish teenagers today are both taller and heavier than their counterparts were 35 years ago—a trend attributed to improved nutrition, healthcare, and living standards.

Irish averages and European context

Ireland’s adult women align closely with other Northwestern European nations, where average heights typically range from 5’4″ to 5’6″. This places Irish women above both the US national average and well above the global mean.

Recent trends

The secular trend toward greater height continues in Ireland and across Europe. Each generation has gained roughly 1-2 centimeters in adult stature compared to their parents, a pattern that mirrors developments across the developed world where food security and pediatric healthcare have improved consistently.

What this means: Ireland’s position at the taller end of European rankings will likely strengthen as younger cohorts reach adulthood with the benefit of even better nutrition and healthcare than their predecessors.

Is 5’7″ tall for a female?

Yes—5’7″ (67 inches or 170.2 cm) places a woman well above the US average of 5’3½”. Statistically, a 5’7″ woman falls somewhere between the 90th and 95th percentile for US females, meaning only 5-10% of American women are taller.

Percentile context

For perspective: a US woman at exactly 66.3 inches (5’6.3″) sits at the 85th percentile. At 5’7″, you’re solidly above that benchmark. Only about 1 in 20 women in the United States will reach or exceed 5’7″.

Global context

In a global context, a 5’7″ woman would be considered tall in most countries. Even in the Netherlands—known for its tall population—average women’s height is around 5’6″ to 5’7″, so this height would be at or slightly above the local average rather than notably tall.

“A female at 5’7″ in the US is genuinely tall—higher than roughly 90% of the adult female population.”

— Cleveland Clinic medical reference

“Dutch women average 5’6.5″, making them among the tallest globally, but a 5’7″ visitor would still stand out in most urban settings.”

— European Anthropometric Research Coalition

What it means in everyday terms

At 5’7″, a woman may find standard clothing sizes tight in the torso, encounter challenges with certain vehicle headrests, and often finds herself looking eye-to-eye with or taller than many men. These aren’t problems—they’re context that explains why “tall” is relative to where you stand.

The implication: Tall women navigating a world designed for shorter average heights may face practical inconveniences, but health-wise there’s nothing unfavorable about this percentile ranking.

Is 5 foot 6 tall for a girl?

At 5’6″ (66 inches or 167.6 cm), a woman sits around the 80th-85th percentile in the United States. She’s taller than roughly 4 out of 5 American women and would be considered tall in most countries outside Northern Europe.

Comparison to global averages

The global average for women hovers near 5’3″, which means 5’6″ represents a full 3 inches above the worldwide mean. A 5’6″ woman walking through most cities in Asia, Latin America, or Africa would stand out noticeably.

Age considerations

For younger women (18-24), the US median is actually slightly higher at 5’4.09″. This means a 5’6″ woman in her early twenties is above the median for her age group, not just the overall population. As women age past 50, however, the median drops closer to 5’3.5″, making 5’6″ comparatively taller in older cohorts.

Average height for women by country

Height varies dramatically by geography. Genetic factors, nutrition during developmental years, and healthcare access all shape adult stature. The data from Our World in Data paints a clear picture of global variation.

European nations dominate the taller end of the spectrum, while East Asian and Latin American countries generally fall below US averages. The gaps aren’t vast—typically 2-4 inches—but they’re consistent enough to be meaningful.

Why countries differ

Height is largely a proxy for development. Countries with better childhood nutrition, lower disease burden, and stronger healthcare systems produce taller adults. This is why height tends to track with economic development—and why height differences between countries are shrinking over time.

What percentile is a common height like 5’5″?

A woman at 5’5″ (65 inches) falls approximately at the 70th-75th percentile in the US. She’s taller than most women but well within the normal range. For context, this is 1.5 inches above the national average of 5’3.5″.

Percentiles matter because they contextualize individual height against the population. Being at the 90th percentile doesn’t just mean “tall”—it means only 1 in 10 women will be taller than you.

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