Short answer: in South Africa, a man counts as tall from 174.8 cm (5′9″) (tallest 20%) and very tall from 182.3 cm (6′0″) (tallest 3%). For women the thresholds are 163.7 cm (5′4″) and 170.6 cm (5′7″). Averages: men 168.8 cm (5′6″), women 158.1 cm (5′2″).
≥ 174.8 cm
Tall for a man (tallest 20%)
≥ 163.7 cm
Tall for a woman (tallest 20%)
| Men | Women | Percentile band | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very short | < 155.3 cm (5′1″) | < 145.6 cm (4′9″) | P0–P3 |
| Short | 155.3–162.7 cm (5′4″) | 145.6–152.5 cm (5′0″) | P3–P20 |
| Slightly below average | 162.7–167 cm (5′6″) | 152.5–156.4 cm (5′2″) | P20–P40 |
| Average height | 167–170.6 cm (5′7″) | 156.4–159.7 cm (5′3″) | P40–P60 |
| Slightly above average | 170.6–174.8 cm (5′9″) | 159.7–163.7 cm (5′4″) | P60–P80 |
| Tall | 174.8–182.3 cm (6′0″) | 163.7–170.6 cm (5′7″) | P80–P97 |
| Very tall | ≥ 182.3 cm (6′0″) | ≥ 170.6 cm (5′7″) | 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 South Africa, men under 162.7 cm (5′4″) are short (shortest 20%) and under 155.3 cm (5′1″) very short (shortest 3%). For women the limits are 152.5 cm (5′0″) and 145.6 cm (4′9″). 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.