Short answer: in Afghanistan, a man counts as tall from 173.4 cm (5′8″) (tallest 20%) and very tall from 180.9 cm (5′11″) (tallest 3%). For women the thresholds are 160.7 cm (5′3″) and 167.6 cm (5′6″). Averages: men 167.4 cm (5′6″), women 155.1 cm (5′1″).
≥ 173.4 cm
Tall for a man (tallest 20%)
≥ 160.7 cm
Tall for a woman (tallest 20%)
| Men | Women | Percentile band | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very short | < 153.9 cm (5′1″) | < 142.6 cm (4′8″) | P0–P3 |
| Short | 153.9–161.4 cm (5′4″) | 142.6–149.5 cm (4′11″) | P3–P20 |
| Slightly below average | 161.4–165.6 cm (5′5″) | 149.5–153.4 cm (5′0″) | P20–P40 |
| Average height | 165.6–169.2 cm (5′7″) | 153.4–156.8 cm (5′2″) | P40–P60 |
| Slightly above average | 169.2–173.4 cm (5′8″) | 156.8–160.7 cm (5′3″) | P60–P80 |
| Tall | 173.4–180.9 cm (5′11″) | 160.7–167.6 cm (5′6″) | P80–P97 |
| Very tall | ≥ 180.9 cm (5′11″) | ≥ 167.6 cm (5′6″) | P97–P100 |
Bands are percentiles among adults of the same sex: shortest 3% "very short", tallest 20% "tall", tallest 3% "very tall" — the same scale as every "Is it tall?" page on this site. Not a medical definition.
In Afghanistan, men under 161.4 cm (5′4″) are short (shortest 20%) and under 153.9 cm (5′1″) very short (shortest 3%). For women the limits are 149.5 cm (4′11″) and 142.6 cm (4′8″). Short or tall is just a statistical position.
Calculate your rank as a man → Calculate your rank as a woman →
Values are cohort-weighted averages for adults aged 18+, derived from NCD-RisC 2020 and UN population estimates; they do not reflect regional differences within a country. Details: methodology and sources.