Short answer: in Zambia, a man counts as tall from 173.2 cm (5′8″) (tallest 20%) and very tall from 180.5 cm (5′11″) (tallest 3%). For women the thresholds are 162.6 cm (5′4″) and 169.4 cm (5′7″). Averages: men 167.2 cm (5′6″), women 157.1 cm (5′2″).
≥ 173.2 cm
Tall for a man (tallest 20%)
≥ 162.6 cm
Tall for a woman (tallest 20%)
| Men | Women | Percentile band | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very short | < 154 cm (5′1″) | < 144.8 cm (4′9″) | P0–P3 |
| Short | 154–161.3 cm (5′4″) | 144.8–151.6 cm (5′0″) | P3–P20 |
| Slightly below average | 161.3–165.4 cm (5′5″) | 151.6–155.4 cm (5′1″) | P20–P40 |
| Average height | 165.4–169 cm (5′7″) | 155.4–158.7 cm (5′2″) | P40–P60 |
| Slightly above average | 169–173.2 cm (5′8″) | 158.7–162.6 cm (5′4″) | P60–P80 |
| Tall | 173.2–180.5 cm (5′11″) | 162.6–169.4 cm (5′7″) | P80–P97 |
| Very tall | ≥ 180.5 cm (5′11″) | ≥ 169.4 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 Zambia, men under 161.3 cm (5′4″) are short (shortest 20%) and under 154 cm (5′1″) very short (shortest 3%). For women the limits are 151.6 cm (5′0″) and 144.8 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.