The question of whether 5’9″ is considered tall for a girl is multifaceted, requiring both a statistical and a social perspective. While height is an objective measurement, its perception is colored by context, geography, and specific environments. Analyzing population data provides a clear statistical answer, while examining global and professional settings reveals how this measurement translates into real-world experience.
Defining Tallness Through Percentiles
In the United States, the average adult female height is approximately 5 feet 4 inches (162.5 centimeters). This figure represents the 50th percentile, meaning half of the adult female population is shorter and half is taller. A height of 5 feet 9 inches (175.3 centimeters) places a woman significantly far on the upper end of this distribution.
Specifically, a woman who is 5’9″ falls near the 97th or 98th percentile of the US adult female height distribution. This means she is taller than roughly 97% to 98% of all adult women in the country. Statistically, this distinct deviation from the average firmly places 5’9″ within the “very tall” category for the American population.
Geographic Differences in Female Height
The definition of “tall” changes dramatically when looking at international statistics, where genetics, nutrition, and public health influence national averages. A 5’9″ woman, while exceptionally tall in the US, would be less of an outlier in countries with taller populations. For example, the Netherlands holds one of the highest average heights globally, with the average female height closer to 5 feet 7 inches (170 centimeters).
In the Netherlands, a 5’9″ woman would still be considered tall, but she would be closer to the upper end of the above-average range rather than an extreme outlier. The contrast is starker in regions like Southeast Asia, where the average female height can be closer to 5 feet (152 centimeters). In these regions, 5’9″ would be considered extremely tall, highlighting that height perception is relative to the surrounding population’s mean.
Social and Professional Context
Moving beyond statistics, a height of 5’9″ is often highly advantageous in specific professional fields. In the high-fashion and runway modeling industry, 5’9″ is frequently cited as the minimum height requirement for female models. This height provides the necessary vertical frame for designers’ garments to drape and move as intended on the catwalk.
The advantage extends significantly into competitive sports, particularly volleyball and basketball, where reach and verticality are valuable assets. For a female basketball player, 5’9″ is considered an average to slightly below-average height for a guard. However, it provides a distinct advantage in rebounding and shot-blocking over shorter players. In volleyball, this height is highly desirable for players in attacking and blocking positions at the net, enabling a higher contact point with the ball.
The social perception of being a taller woman is more nuanced, often intersecting with cultural norms about gender and power. In dating, a taller woman may face social pressure, as a significant portion of women express a preference for a male partner who is taller than they are. This dynamic can sometimes be a source of self-consciousness. In the workplace, being taller can subtly contribute to increased visibility and a perception of authority. This increased visibility may offer a professional edge.