| TL;DR: In the U.S., men are generally considered tall at around 6'0" to 6'2" and up, while women are generally considered tall at around 5'9" and up. Globally, "tall" depends on the average height in your country, gender and cultural context, so the cutoff can shift by several inches. |
So, What Height Is Considered Tall Anyway?
Let's face it, being tall comes with a mix of perks, problems, and a whole lot of questions. Chief among them: what height is considered tall?
Is it 5'9"? 6 feet? Does it depend on where you live? Is "tall" different for men vs. women?
We're answering all those burning questions (and then some) with this how tall is tall guide, including how height standards shift across countries, how it affects your fashion choices, and what to wear when standard sizes just don't cut it.
If you're over the average height and tired of rolling your sleeves or dodging high-water jeans, this one's for you.
Ready to shop for tall fashion that actually fits?
Shop Tall Women's Clothing | Shop Tall Men's Clothing
What Height Is Considered Tall for a Man?
In the United States, what height is considered tall for a man is generally around 6' or taller. The national average male height is around 5'9", so standing several inches above that puts you in tall territory.
But height norms change depending on where you are. For example:
- Netherlands: Average male height is 6'0", so "tall" might start closer to 6'3".
- India or Japan: Where average male height is between 5'5" and 5'7", respectively, a 6-foot man is very tall.
- United Kingdom and Canada: Average male height is 5'10", so 6'2" still lands you in tall territory.
For fashion purposes, most brands (including American Tall) start offering semi-tall and tall men's clothing at 6' and above, and extra tall fits at 6'8" and up.
Want a deeper dive into men's fashion for tall builds?
Check out our Fashion Tips for Tall Guys and Tall Size Guide for Men.
What Height Is Considered Tall for a Woman?
What height is considered tall for a woman depends on the same cultural shifts, but in the U.S., 5'9" or taller is typically seen as tall since the average woman's height is 5'4".
- Netherlands: Average height for a woman is 5'7" (so tall starts around 5'10")
- South Korea or Vietnam: Around 5'2" is the average height for a woman, meaning 5'7" is often considered tall
- Australia: The average height for a woman is 5'4", so, similar to the U.S. This also means "tall" would be considered around 5'9"
- Canada: Average height for a woman in Canada is 5'5", with what's considered tall starting around 5'9"
At American Tall, we design women's tall clothing starting at 5'9" and up, including extra tall fits for heights 6'2" to 6'6".
Need help finding styles that flatter your height?
Head over to our Style Tips for Tall Women blog for fashion-forward advice that celebrates your stature.
What Height Is Considered Tall Around the World?
When it comes to how tall is tall in other countries, here's the easiest way to think about it: "tall" usually starts a few inches above the average height for your country and gender. That means a height that feels tall in one country may feel closer to average somewhere else.
Here's a quick look at global averages for what's considered tall in different regions:
| Country | Avg Male Height | Avg Female Height | Considered "Tall" for Men | Considered "Tall" for Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | 5'9" | 5'4" | 6'2"+ | 5'9"+ |
| Canada | 5'10" | 5'5" | 6'2"+ | 5'9"+ |
| U.K. | 5'10" | 5'5" | 6'2"+ | 5'9"+ |
| Australia | 5'10" | 5'4"–5'5" | 6'2"+ | 5'9"+ |
| Netherlands | 6'0" | 5'7" | 6'3"+ | 5'10"+ |
| Japan | 5'7" | 5'2" | 6'+ | 5'7"+ |
| India | 5'5" | 5'1" | 5'10"+ | 5'7"+ |
| South Korea | 5'8"–5'9" | 5'3" | 6'+ | 5'7"+ |
Not sure where you land? You can learn how to convert your height with our handy cm to feet conversion chart.
What Our American Tall Customers Tell Us About Height and Fit
In our customer base, we've found that the average men's customer height is around 6'6", while the average women's customer height is about 5'11".
Across men's reviews, our customers repeatedly call out sleeve length, inseam length and proportion as the deciding factors. On men's pants and outerwear, reviewers mention details like 36" to 40" inseams, sleeves that finally feel long enough, and tall fits that work for guys reaching 6'5", 6'6", 6'8" and 6'9".
For women, the strongest call-out was finally finding pieces that are long enough without feeling oversized everywhere else. Reviews on our women's jumpsuits, hoodies, lounge pants, tights and outerwear regularly mention arm length, leg length, rise and torso fit. Other reviews praised our pants for being long enough to cover the ankles, tights that didn't need to be stretched to fit, and blazer sleeves that were long enough.
The takeaway? Your height is only the starting point. Tall shoppers also need clothing that accounts for longer arms, longer legs, longer torsos, higher rises, adjusted knee placement, full-length coverage and better proportions through the whole garment. That's why American Tall designs clothing around tall bodies instead of simply scaling up standard sizes.
Tall Sizes vs Regular: Why Fit Matters
Being tall doesn't just mean you need longer clothes. It means you need clothing that is proportionally designed to fit your entire frame.
Here's how tall vs regular sizes stack up:
- Sleeves: Longer, without the cuffs riding up
- Inseams: Up to 40" for men and 37" for women
- Torso & rise: Designed for longer bodies, not just stretched versions of regular clothes
- Shoulder width: Broader where needed
How to tell if you need tall clothing:
- Check your sleeve length. If long sleeves stop above your wrist bone, regular sizing probably isn't giving you enough arm length.
- Check your inseam. If full-length jeans always look cropped, you likely need tall or extra-tall inseam options.
- Check your torso fit. If shirts ride up when you lift your arms, or one-piece styles pull vertically, you may need added body length.
- Check your rise. If pants feel too low, tight through the seat or oddly placed at the waist, the rise may not match your proportions.
- Check how clothes move. Tall clothing should fit while standing, sitting, walking and reaching, not just in a mirror for five seconds.
For more details on how tall clothing is engineered differently, check out our full Tall Clothing Size Guide. Or explore our breakdown on LT and XLT sizing.
Why Tall People Need Better Clothing Options
Here's the problem: Most mainstream brands treat tall sizing as an afterthought. They'll add an inch or two to the inseam and call it a day. That's not enough.
Tall people have different body proportions, and you need clothing that fits in every area: arms, rise, knees, shoulders, inseam, you name it.
That's where American Tall comes in. We design everything from scratch, specifically for tall bodies. No more compromised fits, no more wardrobe frustration. Just clothes that look as good as they feel.
Start shopping for your perfect fit now:
FAQs: Tall People Sizing & Style
What height is considered tall?
Tall is generally considered 6'0" to 6'2"+ for men and 5'9"+ for women in the U.S., though cultural norms vary globally. In countries with shorter average heights, those cutoffs may be lower. In countries with taller average heights, like the Netherlands, the cutoff may be higher.
What height is considered tall for a man?
In the U.S. and Canada, 6'2" and above is typically considered tall. In other countries, this can vary based on average national height.
What height is considered tall for a woman?
Most fashion brands consider 5'9" and above tall for women. In countries with lower average heights, that benchmark drops to around 5'7".
Is 5'9" tall for a woman?
Yes, 5'9" is generally considered tall for a woman in the U.S. and Canada because it is several inches above the average female height. It is also the starting height for many women's tall clothing ranges, including American Tall.
Is 6'0" tall for a man?
Yes, 6'0" is generally considered tall for a man in many countries, including the U.S. It is above the national male average and often the starting point for tall men's clothing.
Is 6'2" tall for a man?
Yes, 6'2" is clearly considered tall for a man in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and many other countries. At this height, standard shirts, pants and jackets often start to feel too short in the sleeves, torso or inseam.
Can I still wear regular sizes if I'm tall?
You can, but expect poor fits. Think shirts that ride up, sleeves that are too short, and pants that don't reach your ankles. Tall clothes made in tall sizes (like those available at American Tall) are built to fix that. Learn more about Our Fit.
What's the difference between tall and extra tall?
Tall clothing fits around 6'3" to 6'6" for men or 5'9" to 6'1" for women. Extra tall fits go up to 7'1" for men and 6'6" for women. The main difference is added length through areas like sleeves, inseams, torso and rise.
How do I know if I need tall clothing?
You may need tall clothing if your sleeves are always too short, your pants look cropped when they shouldn't, your shirts ride up, your jackets feel too short in the arms, or one-piece items like jumpsuits and swimsuits pull through the torso.
Final Thoughts: You're Tall, Own It
Being tall comes with its perks, and your wardrobe should be one of them. Whether you're struggling to find jeans that actually hit the floor or a shirt with long enough sleeves, remember that you're not the problem. Your clothes are.
American Tall is here to change that with clothing built from the ground up for tall men and women.
Ready to find your fit?
Because when your clothes actually fit, everything else just clicks.

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