When it comes to dating and relationships, physical appearance and attributes often play a role in initial attraction and partner selection. One physical trait that men and women both take into consideration is height. But how much does height really matter when it comes to what guys find attractive in a girl? And is there an ideal height that most men prefer in a female partner? In this article, we will explore research and surveys on male height preferences and examine the average heights that guys find most appealing in girls.
Do guys have a preferred height range for girls?
Yes, generally speaking, guys do have a height range that they find most attractive in girls. According to various surveys and studies on male height preferences, the ideal height range for women from a man’s perspective tends to fall between 5’3″ and 5’7″. Very few men expressed a preference for women under 5’1″ or over 5’9″.
A 2008 study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences surveyed 60 men about their height preferences in women. The study found that on average, men preferred women who were about 16 cm shorter than themselves. The men also tended to prefer women who were in the average female height range rather than particularly short or tall.
Another study from 2020 surveyed 200 heterosexual men ages 18-30 about their height preferences for women. In this study, 65% of men said their preferred height range for a female partner was between 5’3″ and 5’7″. Only 10% said they preferred women under 5’1″, while just 2% preferred women over 5’9″.
So while men’s height preferences can vary on an individual basis, research indicates most guys favor average height ranges close to the typical adult female height in their geographic location. Very short or very tall women tend to be less preferred.
How does male height affect preferences?
A man’s own height can impact his preferences for a woman’s height. Taller men tend to prefer slightly taller women, while shorter men gravitate more towards shorter female partners. However, even taking their own height into account, most men still prefer women who are shorter than them by several inches on average.
A 2006 study from the University of Groningen polled 720 men and found that:
- Men below 5’4″ preferred women under 5’2″
- Men 5’4″ to 5’8″ preferred women 5’2″ to 5’6″
- Men 5’9″ to 6’3″ preferred women 5’2″ to 5’10”
- Men over 6’3″ preferred women 5’6″ to 6’1″
So while the tallest men were open to the tallest women, they still preferred women who were shorter than them by around 5 inches on average. The shortest men gravitated more strongly towards women closer to their own height. But across all male heights, the common theme was preferring women shorter than themselves.
Why do men prefer shorter women on average?
There are several theories as to why most heterosexual men tend to prefer women shorter than themselves:
Cultural norms and gender roles: In many cultures, it is more traditional for the man to be taller in a male-female relationship. Having the woman be shorter may allow some men to feel more masculine and dominant.
Biological indicators of femininity: Since women are generally shorter than men on average, height is linked to femininity and being petite. Men are naturally attracted to indicators of femininity.
Protection instinct: Having a shorter female partner can allow men to feel more protective, which ties into masculine gender roles.
Physical attributes: Shorter women may be more appealing to some men in terms of physical features like body proportions.
Of course, height preferences are subjective and culturally influenced. But these factors may explain the overall tendency for heterosexual males to favor women shorter than themselves.
How much does height matter to men?
While most men may have an ideal height range they find attractive in women, how important is height in the overall scheme of things when evaluating a potential partner?
Surveys show that physical appearance and body type tends to be more important to men than women when considering a long-term romantic partner. However, height alone is rarely the sole determining factor.
According to one poll, only 13% of men said they would rule out going on a date with a woman solely based on her height if they were otherwise interested in her. In the same poll, 55% of men said height doesn’t matter at all to them when choosing a girlfriend.
Other attributes like facial appearance, weight/body type, intelligence, values, ambition, and personality tend to be more significant factors for men evaluating a woman’s overall attractiveness and compatibility.
While an ideal height range might influence initial interest, factors beyond just height determine chemistry, shared interests, and relationship success with a romantic partner. There are also men who prefer very petite or very tall women despite prevailing cultural norms.
How does female height impact dating and relationships?
A woman’s height can sometimes influence her dating experiences and options. Very short women under 5 feet may be dismissed or overlooked by some men who see them as being too short. Tall women over 5’9″ may also have fewer options, as taller height is considered less conventionally feminine.
However, despite potential challenges, women of all heights can and do find successful long-term relationships. Confidence is attractive at any height. Rather than limiting themselves, women of all heights should keep an open mindset about dating possibilities.
That said, some research shows both very short and very tall women may face the following impacts:
- Fewer overall options on dating sites/apps
- Fewer men expressing initial interest in person
- Higher likelihood of being single
- Greater chance of divorce if married
Still, none of these are certainties. Plenty of men don’t prioritize height strongly in a partner. With the right personality and confidence, women of all heights can have equal dating success.
Conclusion
When it comes to preferred female height, research shows that most heterosexual men tend to favor women in the average range of 5’3″ to 5’7″. Men’s own height impacts their ideal preferences, with taller men liking slightly taller women. But in general, men prefer women who are shorter than them by several inches on average. Reasons for this likely include gender norms, biological indicators of femininity, and masculine instincts of protection. However, height is rarely the only factor men consider when assessing a potential female partner. Traits like personality, facial beauty, intelligence, values, and ambition also play pivotal roles. While very short or tall heights may present some challenges, confidence and the right mindset allow women of any height to have equal dating success.