How to Determine Human Height

Having a friend help you can make your measurement more accurate.

Measuring your height can be done in a variety of ways, many of which include complicated ratios based on family lineage or purchasing expensive equipment. However, the fastest and easiest way to determine your height is to use supplies that you have at home, without the use of complicated formulas or equipment.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Place a tape measure on the floor next to a wall. The measuring tape should be right next to the wall and the wall should be free of jutting baseboards so the tape measure goes straight up and does not slant out from the wall or into the wall.

2. Stand beside the tape measure and make sure that your heels are pressed against the wall. Ensure that your tape measure is going straight up along the wall and that you are standing right next to it.

3. Place your hand at the highest point of the crown of your head. Be sure that you are looking straight forward. Your hand should be level and touch both the highest point on your head and the tape measure.

4. Make a light mark with a pencil on the tape measure. You can also make a slight mark on the wall, but be sure not to permanently mark the wall.

5. Step away from the wall and look at the point at which you marked the measuring tape. This is your height.

Tips & Warnings

• For an extremely precise height measurement, you may want to purchase a stadiometer, which mechanically measures your height. These can be expensive, but they will give you the most accurate measurement.

• You can also use a meter stick. If you do this, you should stand next to the wall first. Measure your height on the wall itself, and then use the meter stick to measure how high up the mark is.

• Keep in mind that shoes and hair can add height to your measurement.

Resources

• Stadiometer.com: Stadiometers and Height Measurment