Short answer: in Japan, a man counts as tall from 175.8 cm (5′9″) (tallest 20%) and very tall from 183.3 cm (6′0″) (tallest 3%). For women the thresholds are 161.5 cm (5′4″) and 168.7 cm (5′6″). Averages: men 169.7 cm (5′7″), women 155.8 cm (5′1″).
≥ 175.8 cm
Tall for a man (tallest 20%)
≥ 161.5 cm
Tall for a woman (tallest 20%)
| Men | Women | Percentile band | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very short | < 156.1 cm (5′1″) | < 142.9 cm (4′8″) | P0–P3 |
| Short | 156.1–163.6 cm (5′4″) | 142.9–150 cm (4′11″) | P3–P20 |
| Slightly below average | 163.6–167.9 cm (5′6″) | 150–154.1 cm (5′1″) | P20–P40 |
| Average height | 167.9–171.5 cm (5′8″) | 154.1–157.5 cm (5′2″) | P40–P60 |
| Slightly above average | 171.5–175.8 cm (5′9″) | 157.5–161.5 cm (5′4″) | P60–P80 |
| Tall | 175.8–183.3 cm (6′0″) | 161.5–168.7 cm (5′6″) | P80–P97 |
| Very tall | ≥ 183.3 cm (6′0″) | ≥ 168.7 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 Japan, men under 163.6 cm (5′4″) are short (shortest 20%) and under 156.1 cm (5′1″) very short (shortest 3%). For women the limits are 150 cm (4′11″) and 142.9 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.