Height difference calculator
Enter two heights to see the exact gap between them.
Difference
10.2 cm
A is taller, by 6.1% of the shorter height.
Worked example
- Heights 5'10" and 5'6"
- Working 177.8 − 167.6 cm
- Result 10.2 cm · 6.1%
Method and sources
Pure arithmetic: abs(a − b) for the raw gap, shown in both cm and ft/in, and (gap ÷ shorter height) × 100 for the percentage. No external dataset is used.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate a height difference?
Subtract the shorter height from the taller one — the sign doesn't matter, only the size of the gap. This tool also shows that gap as a percentage of the shorter person's height, which is a more useful way to judge how noticeable a difference will look.
What's considered a big height difference between two people?
There's no official cutoff, but as a rough guide: under 5cm (2") is barely noticeable in most photos, 5-15cm (2-6") is clearly visible, and over 15cm (6") is a difference most people would describe as 'tall vs short' at a glance.
Is a height difference the same in percentage terms both ways?
No. Percentage difference here is calculated against the shorter height, since that's the more intuitive comparison ("B is 8% taller than A"). Calculated the other way round — against the taller height — the same gap gives a smaller percentage.
Does a height difference look the same in photos as the numbers suggest?
Not always — camera angle, footwear, posture and who is standing closer to the camera can all exaggerate or shrink an apparent height difference in a photo, even when the real difference is small. The comparison board on this site draws both heights to the same scale to avoid that distortion.
What is the average height difference between couples?
Surveys in Western countries commonly find heterosexual couples average around a 12-14cm (5") gap, with the man taller in the large majority of couples — though this varies by country and is a social/statistical pattern, not a rule.
More tools
- Height converter cm, metres, feet and inches in one tap.
- cm to feet chart Every height from 140 to 210 cm in feet and inches.
- Country average Where you rank against the world.
- You vs the world A map of how your height compares, country by country.
- Child percentile WHO and CDC growth charts, explained.
- Child height predictor A mid-parental estimate for your child.
Or go back to the comparison board.