Average USA Male Height

Latest CDC measurements place the typical American man at 68.9 inches tall, with modest differences across age and racial groups.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 1, 2026

Quick take

U.S. adult men average 68.9 inches (175 cm) per 2021–2023 CDC data.
Non-Hispanic White and Black men are tallest at roughly 69.5 and 69.3 inches.
Height declines slightly with age and has edged down a fraction of an inch recently.
U.S. figure sits above the global male mean but below Northern European averages.

Height data for adult men in the United States comes from direct measurements collected by the CDC through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. These figures matter for tracking population health, nutrition trends, and changes in demographics over time.

Current National Average

Men aged 20 and older average 68.9 inches, or about 5 feet 8.9 inches (175 cm). The figure carries a standard error of 0.1 inch and reflects the August 2021–August 2023 survey period. Earlier 2015–2018 data showed 69.0–69.1 inches, indicating a very small recent decline.

Age Differences

Younger men stand taller on average. Those aged 20–29 measure about 69.4 inches, while men 80 and older average 67.1 inches. The drop reflects normal spinal compression and other age-related changes that occur across all groups.

Height by Race and Hispanic Origin

Detailed breakdowns by race come from the 2015–2018 NHANES cycle. Non-Hispanic White and Black men average the tallest heights, while Asian and Hispanic men average shorter. The 2021–2023 report did not release updated race-specific tables.

Race/Ethnicity	Mean Height	Notes
Non-Hispanic White	69.5 inches	Tallest group
Non-Hispanic Black	69.3 inches	Nearly identical to White average
Non-Hispanic Asian	67.1 inches	Shortest on average
Hispanic (all)	67.1 inches	Includes Mexican American
Mexican American	67.1 inches	Large subgroup within Hispanic category

These patterns arise from a mix of genetic, nutritional, and socioeconomic influences during growth years. Measured survey data remain more reliable than self-reported figures.

Has average height changed much over time?

The overall mean has declined only slightly from 69.0–69.1 inches in 2015–2018 to 68.9 inches in 2021–2023, possibly tied to shifts in population composition.

Where does the U.S. stand globally?

The national figure exceeds the worldwide male average of roughly 5 feet 7.5 inches yet falls below heights recorded in the tallest countries such as the Netherlands.

Are newer race-specific numbers available?

The latest overall update does not include race and ethnicity tables; the 2015–2018 survey remains the most recent source with those details.

Sources

CDC NHANES Anthropometric Reference Data, Series 3 No. 50 (2021–2023)
CDC NHANES Series 3 No. 46 (2015–2018)