Short answer: in Tanzania, a man counts as tall from 172.1 cm (5′8″) (tallest 20%) and very tall from 179.6 cm (5′11″) (tallest 3%). For women the thresholds are 161.7 cm (5′4″) and 168.6 cm (5′6″). Averages: men 166.1 cm (5′5″), women 156.2 cm (5′1″).
≥ 172.1 cm
Tall for a man (tallest 20%)
≥ 161.7 cm
Tall for a woman (tallest 20%)
| Men | Women | Percentile band | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very short | < 152.5 cm (5′0″) | < 143.7 cm (4′9″) | P0–P3 |
| Short | 152.5–160 cm (5′3″) | 143.7–150.6 cm (4′11″) | P3–P20 |
| Slightly below average | 160–164.2 cm (5′5″) | 150.6–154.5 cm (5′1″) | P20–P40 |
| Average height | 164.2–167.9 cm (5′6″) | 154.5–157.8 cm (5′2″) | P40–P60 |
| Slightly above average | 167.9–172.1 cm (5′8″) | 157.8–161.7 cm (5′4″) | P60–P80 |
| Tall | 172.1–179.6 cm (5′11″) | 161.7–168.6 cm (5′6″) | P80–P97 |
| Very tall | ≥ 179.6 cm (5′11″) | ≥ 168.6 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 Tanzania, men under 160 cm (5′3″) are short (shortest 20%) and under 152.5 cm (5′0″) very short (shortest 3%). For women the limits are 150.6 cm (4′11″) and 143.7 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.