Ever stood in front of a mirror, looked at your reflection, and wondered if you’re actually tall or just... medium? It’s a weird spot to be in. If you are five-seven, you're living in the "in-between." You’re not quite hitting that 5'10" or 6-foot mark that society seems obsessed with, but you’re definitely not short. However, when you step outside the US or the UK, the "feet and inches" thing basically dies. If you’re filling out a visa form for France or trying to buy a bike in Tokyo, you need to know exactly what 5 ft 7 in cm looks like on a scale.
The number is 170.18.
Most people just round it down to 170. It’s cleaner. But that extra 0.18 matters if you’re a perfectionist or a scientist. Honestly, though, 170 cm is a massive psychological benchmark in the metric world.
The Math Behind 5 ft 7 in cm (And Why We Get It Wrong)
Metric conversion isn't just about moving a decimal point. It’s a mess of historical remnants. One inch is legally defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters. This wasn't always the case, but the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959 settled the score.
So, let's break it down.
First, you convert the feet to inches. Five feet is 60 inches. Add the seven. You've got 67 inches total.
Now, multiply 67 by 2.54.
$67 \times 2.54 = 170.18$
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It sounds simple. But go to a doctor's office and watch them use a stadiometer. If the nurse is in a rush, they might tell you you're 171. If they push the headpiece down too hard, you’re suddenly 169. Gravity is also a thief. You are actually taller in the morning because your spinal discs haven't been compressed by a day of walking around yet. You might start your day at 170.5 cm and end it at 169.8 cm. Which one is "real"? Most of us just stick with the morning version because it feels better.
Where Does 170 cm Stand Globally?
Height is relative. It’s a social construct that actually has physical consequences. If you are 5 ft 7 in cm (170 cm) in the Netherlands, you are going to feel like a hobbit. The average Dutch man is nearly 183 cm (6 feet). You will be looking at people's collarbones all day.
But fly to Southeast Asia or parts of Latin America, and suddenly you’re the tall one.
In Vietnam, the average height for men is roughly 168 cm. In Guatemala, it’s even lower. Being 170 cm there makes you "above average." It’s all about the room you’re standing in. In the United States, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) notes the average height for an adult male is about 5'9" (175 cm). So, at 5'7", you’re just a couple of inches shy of the median. For women, however, 170 cm is quite tall. The average American woman is about 5'4" (162.5 cm). If you're a woman measuring 5'7", you have that "model-esque" height that brands love.
Clothing and Ergonomics
Ever noticed how some "Medium" shirts fit perfectly and others look like a dress? Most clothing manufacturers in the global market (like H&M or Uniqlo) design their "Medium" around the 170 cm to 175 cm frame.
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- Pants: A 30-inch inseam is usually the sweet spot for someone who is 170 cm.
- Airlines: This is the height where you can actually still fit in economy without your knees hitting the seat in front of you. It's a win.
- Bikes: You’re likely looking at a 52cm or 54cm road bike frame.
The "Short King" Discourse and the 5'7" Reality
We have to talk about the internet. If you spend any time on TikTok or Tinder, you’d think anyone under 6 feet is invisible. It’s a weird phenomenon. There’s a specific term for men who are around 5'7" to 5'9": "Short Kings."
It was meant to be empowering.
But why do we need a special label for being the literal average of the human race?
Look at Hollywood. Tom Cruise is famously around 5'7" (170 cm). Robert Downey Jr. is in the same ballpark. These guys have built entire legacies as action heroes. They use "lifts" in their shoes or clever camera angles (the "Apple Box" trick) to look taller next to co-stars, but in the real world, 170 cm is a perfectly functional, athletic height. It’s actually better for certain sports. In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or wrestling, having a lower center of gravity while maintaining a decent reach is a massive advantage.
Technical Precision: Does the 0.18 Matter?
In engineering or medical dosages based on body surface area, you can't just round down. If you’re calculating Body Mass Index (BMI) for a clinical study, using 170 cm versus 170.18 cm might change a decimal point in the final result.
Let’s look at the BMI formula:
$$BMI = \frac{weight(kg)}{height(m)^2}$$
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If you weigh 70 kg:
Using 1.70 m: $70 / 2.89 = 24.22$
Using 1.7018 m: $70 / 2.8961 = 24.17$
It’s a tiny difference. Negligible for most. But if you’re on the edge of a medical classification, those fractions of a centimeter are the difference between "normal" and "overweight" on a chart.
How to Measure Yourself Accurately at Home
Most people measure themselves wrong. They use a floppy sewing tape measure or lean against a carpeted wall.
- Find a hard floor. Carpet adds "squish" that can steal half a centimeter from you.
- Remove your shoes. Obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people try to sneak in an extra inch with thick socks or Nikes.
- The "Book Method." Stand against a flat wall. Put a hardback book on your head, flat against the wall. Mark the bottom of the book with a pencil.
- Use a metal tape. Sewing tapes stretch over time. Metal ones don't.
If you mark the wall and find you're 170 cm on the dot, congrats. You are exactly 5 ft 7 in cm (give or take a hair).
Actionable Next Steps for the 170 cm Individual
Knowing your height in centimeters is the first step, but how do you use that data?
- Update your International Documents: If you're applying for a job overseas or a driver's license in a metric country, use 170 cm. Don't try to round up to 172; they will notice during the physical.
- Check your Bike Fit: If you’re a cyclist, go to a shop and specifically ask for a 52-54cm frame. It will save your lower back.
- Tailor your Trousers: Ask for a "tapered" fit with a 30-inch inseam (approx. 76 cm). This prevents the fabric from bunching at the ankles, which can make you look shorter than you actually are.
- Buy Shoes Wisely: If you want a bit more presence, look for boots with a 1-inch heel. It pushes you from 170 cm to nearly 173 cm, which is the "sweet spot" of the global average.
Stop worrying about the "6-foot" myth. Being 170 cm means you fit into standard cars, standard planes, and standard clothes. It is the peak of human efficiency. You aren't so tall that you develop back problems in your 40s, and you aren't so short that you can't reach the top shelf at the grocery store. Own the 170. It’s a good place to be.