You're standing at a doctor's office or filling out a passport application and someone asks for your height in metric. If you’re used to feet and inches, your brain probably hits a wall. Specifically, you want to know how tall is 5 11 in cm without having to do long division in your head while people are waiting.
It's a weird spot to be.
Five-foot-eleven is that "almost but not quite" height. It’s the height of people who feel tall in a crowded elevator but feel short next to a Division I basketball player. In the United States, we cling to our inches. In basically the rest of the world—from the streets of Paris to the hospitals in Tokyo—you are a number in centimeters.
To get straight to it: 5'11" is exactly 180.34 cm.
Most people just round it down to 180. Honestly, that’s fine for a casual conversation at a bar. But if you’re looking at sizing charts for a high-end Italian suit or trying to figure out if you'll fit in a vintage European sports car, those extra millimeters might actually matter.
The Math Behind the Conversion
Let's break down the logic so you don't have to look this up again. One inch is defined internationally as exactly 2.54 centimeters. This wasn't always the case, but since the mid-20th century, it's the gold standard.
When you say you are 5'11", you are saying you are 71 inches tall.
How do we get there?
(5 feet × 12 inches) + 11 inches = 71 inches.
Now, take that 71 and multiply it by 2.54.
The result is 180.34.
It sounds simple, but humans are messy. We round things. We lie. In the UK, you might still hear people talk about "stones" for weight but use centimeters for height, creating a bizarre hybrid system that confuses everyone. In Australia, they ditched the imperial system decades ago, so if you tell an Aussie you're five-eleven, they might have to pause and visualize it against a door frame.
Why 180 cm is a "Magic Number"
In the metric world, 180 cm is a psychological milestone. It’s the equivalent of the "6-foot" mark in America.
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If you're 179 cm, you're "average." If you hit that 180 mark, you've crossed into "tall" territory in many cultures. It’s a bit of a vanity thing. On dating apps in Europe or South America, you’ll see guys claiming to be 180 cm the same way American guys who are 5'11.5" will absolutely insist they are 6 feet tall.
It's funny how a few millimeters can change how someone perceives themselves.
But let’s look at the reality. The average height for an American male is roughly 5'9" (about 175 cm). So, if you are wondering how tall is 5 11 in cm, you’re already well above the median. You're taller than about 75% of the men in the United States.
The Height Gap: Perception vs. Reality
Height is weirdly subjective.
I once knew a guy who swore he was 6 feet tall until he stood next to a door frame that was exactly 72 inches high and realized he was a good inch short. He was actually 5'11"—or 180.34 cm. He felt "smaller" once he knew the number, even though his physical body hadn't changed at all.
Socially, 5'11" is a great height. You fit in standard beds. You don't hit your head on low ceilings in old European basements. You can buy clothes off the rack at Zara or H&M without the sleeves looking like capes or 3/4 length shirts.
How 5'11" Looks Globally
- In the Netherlands: You might actually feel a bit short. The Dutch are famously some of the tallest people on Earth, with average male heights hovering around 183 cm (6'0").
- In Southeast Asia: You will feel like a giant. In countries like Vietnam or the Philippines, the average height is significantly lower, making a 180 cm person stand out in any crowd.
- In the NBA: You are a "small" guard. Actually, you're probably not even in the NBA unless you have a 45-inch vertical leap and world-class handles.
Common Errors When Converting Height
People mess this up constantly.
The most common mistake is thinking that 5.11 feet is the same as 5 feet 11 inches.
It’s not. Not even close.
If you type "5.11 feet to cm" into a basic calculator, it will give you 155.75 cm. That’s because the calculator is treating the ".11" as a decimal of a foot (which is 12 inches). If you are 5.11 feet tall, you are actually about 5'1".
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There’s a massive difference between being 155 cm and 180 cm.
Always ensure you are converting total inches (71) or using a dedicated height converter that understands the imperial foot-inch structure.
The Practical Impact of 180.34 cm
So, why does knowing you are 180.34 cm matter?
1. Medical Accuracy
In clinical settings, dosages are often calculated based on Body Mass Index (BMI), which requires an accurate height in meters or centimeters. If you tell a nurse you're "about five-eleven," they’ll likely record it as 180 cm. While the .34 cm won't change your prescription for ibuprofen, it's good to be precise for things like anesthesia or specialized treatments.
2. Aerospace and Engineering
If you’re a pilot or a race car driver, clearance matters. Cockpits are designed with specific percentiles in mind. Being 180 cm puts you in the "sweet spot" for most ergonomic designs. You aren't so tall that you need custom seat rails, but you aren't struggling to reach the pedals either.
3. Fitness and Ergonomics
If you’re setting up a standing desk, the "ideal" height for your keyboard and monitor is based on your height in centimeters. At 180 cm, your desk height should generally be around 110-115 cm.
Is 5'11" Actually 6 Feet?
No. But people love to pretend it is.
In the morning, thanks to spinal decompression after a night of sleep, you might actually be closer to 181 cm. By the time you've walked around all day and your spinal discs have compressed, you might drop down to 179.5 cm.
This is why people get different readings at the gym versus the doctor. If you want to claim that 180.34 cm makes you "basically 6 feet," you’ll have to account for the fact that 6 feet is actually 182.88 cm. You’re still about an inch short.
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Famous People Who Are 5'11" (180 cm)
Seeing who else shares your height helps put it into perspective.
- Brad Pitt: Often cited as the quintessential 5'11" guy. He looks tall on screen but isn't an "overpowering" presence in person.
- George Clooney: Another classic 180 cm leading man.
- Taylor Swift: She’s famously about 5'11", and when she wears heels, she comfortably clears 6 feet, often towering over her peers at award shows.
It's a versatile height. It works for "rugged" and it works for "elegant."
Next Steps for Height Accuracy
If you need this measurement for something official, don't just rely on a mental conversion.
First, measure yourself at the right time. Do it in the morning. Stand against a flat wall, no shoes, and use a hardbound book to mark the spot on the wall level with the top of your head.
Second, use a steel tape measure. Cloth tapes used for sewing can stretch over time, leading to inaccuracies. A steel tape measure will give you the most honest 180.34 cm reading.
Third, keep it in your notes. Write down "180 cm" in your phone's "Me" contact card. Next time you're filling out a form in a country that uses the metric system, you won't have to scramble.
Whether you're calculating your BMI, buying a bike frame, or just settling a debate with a friend, knowing that how tall is 5 11 in cm equals 180.34 is a small but useful piece of data. It’s the bridge between two different ways of seeing the world—one measured in thumbs and feet, the other in base-ten logic.
Both get you to the same place. You’re still the same height, regardless of which ruler you use.
Actionable Insight: For any official documentation (like a visa or medical form), use 180 cm as your standard rounded figure. If you are buying technical gear like a wetsuit or a carbon-fiber bike, use the precise 180.34 cm to ensure you fall within the correct manufacturer's size bracket, as "Medium-Tall" and "Large" often split right at the 180 cm mark.