175 cm to Feet: Exact Conversion, Context, and FAQs

If you’ve ever wondered why 175 centimeters is sometimes called 5 foot 9 and other times 5 foot 8, you’re not alone. This conversion guide gives the exact number (5 feet 8.9 inches), explains the rounding, and shows how 175 cm fits into global averages and health contexts.

Exact conversion (175 cm to feet): 5 feet 8.9 inches · Commonly rounded height: 5 feet 9 inches · Conversion factor: 30.48 cm per foot · Countries using imperial system: United States, Liberia, Myanmar

The table below summarizes the key conversion figures for 175 cm.

What is 175 cm in Feet and Inches Exactly?

The exact conversion: 5 feet 8.9 inches

The strict mathematical conversion gives you 5 feet and 8.9 inches. To arrive at this number, divide 175 cm by 30.48 (the number of centimeters in a foot). That yields 5.741 feet. The decimal remainder (0.741 feet) multiplied by 12 gives 8.9 inches.

• 175 cm ÷ 30.48 = 5.74 feet (Calculatio)
• 175 cm ÷ 2.54 = 68.9 inches; 68.9 ÷ 12 = 5 feet + 8.9 inches (Inch Calculator)

The implication: The exact value is 5’8.9″, not 5’9″, which explains why rounding can cause confusion.

Understanding the rounding to 5 feet 9 inches

Many calculators and charts round 175 cm to 5 feet 9 inches. That is because 0.9 inches is close enough to a full inch for everyday use. However, 5 feet 9 inches equals 175.26 cm — slightly more than 175 cm (The Calculator Site).

Manual conversion method

1. Take the height in centimeters: 175 cm.
2. Divide by 2.54 to get total inches: 175 ÷ 2.54 = 68.9 inches.
3. Divide total inches by 12 to get feet: 68.9 ÷ 12 = 5 feet (remainder 8.9 inches).

This method works for any height, giving you the exact conversion without rounding confusion. For a video walkthrough, see Convert-X YouTube tutorial. The implication: using the exact method prevents the common mistake of rounding too early.

Is 175 cm Short or Tall for a Guy?

Global average height comparisons

According to the CDC (U.S. public health authority), the average male height in the United States is 175.3 cm (about 5’9″). That places 175 cm almost exactly at the US average. Globally, the picture varies: the Netherlands averages 183 cm, making 175 cm relatively short there, while Indonesia averages 163 cm, making 175 cm tall (Our World in Data (academic data research)).

The pattern: 175 cm is average or slightly above in most of the world, but in very tall populations it may feel below average.

Social perception of 175 cm height

Online forums like Reddit often debate whether 175 cm (≈5’9″) is “short”. The answer depends on context. In many Western countries, it is considered average and not short. The term “short king” (a positive label for shorter men) is sometimes applied to heights below 5’9″, but 175 cm straddles the line. There is no medical or universal definition of “short” for adult males outside the clinical term short stature (typically below the 3rd percentile), which at 175 cm is not applicable.

Is 5 foot 9 a rare height?

No, it is the average height for adult men in the United States, so it is not rare. According to the CDC (U.S. public health authority), the average male height is about 175.3 cm, which is roughly 5 feet 9 inches.

Is 175 cm Short for an 18-Year-Old?

Average height for 18-year-old males

The CDC (U.S. public health authority) growth charts show that the average 18-year-old male in the US is around 5 feet 9 inches. At 175 cm, an 18-year-old is right at the 50th percentile — completely average. Data from Healthline (health information publisher) confirms that most males stop growing in height by age 18.

• 50th percentile for US 18-year-old males: ~176 cm (CDC)
• Growth after 18 is usually less than 2.5 cm (Mayo Clinic (medical institution))

The catch: Even if an 18-year-old is 175 cm now, he is very likely to remain close to that height for life.

Is 80 kg a Good Weight for Someone Who Is 175 cm Tall?

BMI calculation for 175 cm and 80 kg

Body mass index (BMI) is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. For 175 cm (1.75 m) and 80 kg: 80 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 26.1. This falls into the “overweight” category according to the NHS (UK health service) BMI guidelines.

• Healthy BMI range: 18.5 – 24.9 (CDC (U.S. public health authority))
• Overweight range: 25.0 – 29.9
• At 175 cm, a healthy weight range is roughly 57 kg to 76 kg (NHS BMI calculator)

The trade-off: BMI is a screening tool, not a direct measure of health. Muscle mass, bone density, and fat distribution also matter. An athletic person at 80 kg and 175 cm may be perfectly healthy even with a “overweight” BMI.

175 cm is listed as 5 feet 9 inches on the official NHS height conversion chart used by healthcare providers in the UK.

NHS (UK health service) height chart

The conversion gives 5 feet 8.9 inches, which is the most precise result to one decimal place.

The Calculator Site (educational conversion site)

For anyone trying to understand their height in a different system, the key is to use the exact conversion and not rely on rounding alone, or you could end up misjudging how you compare to averages and healthy weight ranges.

For a detailed breakdown of the same measurement, see this 175 cm to feet conversion guide.

Frequently asked questions