Average Height in the US: Men, Women & by State
The national numbers, a state-by-state breakdown you won’t find anywhere else, and how American height changed over 100 years.
The average height in the United States is about 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) for men and 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) for women, according to measured data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Those are the national numbers — but the US is not one height. Upper-Midwestern states like Montana and Minnesota measure noticeably taller than states like Hawaii and New Mexico, and the country’s growth story over the last century looks very different from Europe’s.
Below: the national figures explained, a state-by-state table compiled from survey data, and the 100-year trend that took America from the world’s tallest to the middle of the pack.
The national numbers: 5'9" and 5'4"
The most reliable figures come from NHANES, run by the CDC — unlike most surveys, it measures people in person rather than asking them. The commonly cited measured averages for American adults are:
- • Men: about 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
- • Women: about 5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
Average height by state (table)
State-level height data is harder to come by — no national survey publishes measured height for every state. The table below compiles approximate figures from self-reported survey data (such as the CDC’s BRFSS) and published state comparisons. Treat these as estimates: self-reported numbers skew high, and methods vary between sources.
| State | Men (approx.) | Women (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | 5'11" | 5'6" |
| Minnesota | 5'11" | 5'6" |
| North Dakota | 5'11" | 5'6" |
| South Dakota | 5'10" | 5'5" |
| Nebraska | 5'10" | 5'5" |
| Kansas | 5'10" | 5'5" |
| Iowa | 5'10" | 5'5" |
| Wisconsin | 5'10" | 5'5" |
| Wyoming | 5'10" | 5'5" |
| Colorado | 5'10" | 5'5" |
| Vermont | 5'10" | 5'5" |
| Oregon | 5'9" | 5'4" |
| Washington | 5'9" | 5'4" |
| Texas | 5'9" | 5'4" |
| California | 5'9" | 5'4" |
| Florida | 5'9" | 5'4" |
| New York | 5'9" | 5'4" |
| Mississippi | 5'8" | 5'4" |
| New Mexico | 5'8" | 5'3" |
| Hawaii | 5'8" | 5'3" |
Approximate values compiled from self-reported survey data (e.g., CDC BRFSS) and published state comparisons. Self-reported heights typically run higher than measured values — use as a rough comparison, not as exact measurements.
The 100-year trend: from tallest to plateau
A century ago, Americans were among the tallest people in the world. US-born men around 1914 averaged close to today’s figures — while much of Europe lagged behind, held back by poorer nutrition and harder living conditions.
Then the lines crossed. Between the 1950s and 1980s, Northern Europe kept gaining height with each generation while American growth plateaued. The Netherlands, Denmark, and their neighbors overtook the US and never looked back.
Researchers point to a few reasons: near-universal access to good childhood nutrition in Europe, strong public-health systems, and — in the American case — rising economic inequality, which means the national average hides groups of children who never got the nutrition needed to reach their full height potential.
Where do you stand?
National and state averages are useful context, but the number that matters is yours — measured correctly, in the morning, barefoot against a wall.
Compare your height against the US average, or stack yourself up against someone else side by side:
Frequently asked questions
What state has the tallest people?
Upper-Midwestern states consistently come out tallest in survey data — Montana, Minnesota, and North Dakota lead most state rankings, with men averaging around 5'11". Keep in mind state figures are approximate, compiled from self-reported surveys rather than measured data.
Are Americans getting taller?
Not really — average height in the US has been roughly flat since the 1970s–80s. The big American gains happened earlier in the 20th century; since then, Northern Europe and other regions have caught up and overtaken the US.
What is the average height for a man in the US?
About 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm), based on measured NHANES data from the CDC. Self-reported surveys give slightly higher numbers because people tend to round up.
Is 5'10" tall for a man in the US?
It is slightly above average — roughly the 60th to 65th percentile among American men. In the tallest states like Montana or Minnesota it is closer to average, while in shorter states it stands out more.