Ever read “174 cm” on a form and thought… “Okay, but how tall is that really?” You’re not alone. In the UK, we’re constantly switching between metric and imperial. Your doctor writes down your height in centimetres, but your mate just says, “I’m 5 foot 10”. No wonder people get confused.
Let’s dissect it logically, without using technical terms, and provide simple solutions. If you’re trying to figure out how tall 174 cm is in feet and inches, this guide is for you.
Quick Conversion: 174 cm = 5ft 8½in
Let’s start with the main answer you’re here for:
A height of five feet eight and a half inches is equal to 174 centimetres.
That means you’re just over 5 foot 8 — not quite 5 foot 9, but definitely a decent height.
Why Does the UK Still Use Both Systems?
If you’re wondering why we still use feet and inches when the metric system is technically official — welcome to Britain! We measure driving distances in miles, weigh ourselves in stones, and tell our height in feet. But when it comes to official documents? Yep, it’s all centimetres and kilograms.
So you’ll often see your height listed as 174 cm on paper, but when someone asks “how tall are you?They’re anticipating a classic “5 foot something.”
How the Maths Works (If You’re Curious)
If you like to know how we got there:
- 1 cm = roughly 0.03281 feet
- 174 × 0.03281 = 5.7087 feet
- Now multiply the decimal (0.7087) by 12 to convert it to inches:
- 0.7087 × 12 = 8.5 inches
- 0.7087 × 12 = 8.5 inches
So there you have it — 5ft 8.5in.
Is 174 cm Tall or Short in the UK?
Now you know what it is in feet, let’s talk about what it means.
- “In the UK, men typically stand around 175 cm tall, which works out to roughly 5 feet 9 inches.”
- “For women, the usual height is close to 162 cm — that’s just over 5 foot 3.”
So, if you’re a man, you’re hardly noticeable and a little below average. If you’re a woman, 174 cm is definitely on the tall side.
Real-World Comparison – Who’s Around 174 cm?
To give you a better idea, here are some celebs with similar height:
- Tom Holland – 5ft 8in (173 cm)
- Zayn Malik – 5ft 9in (175 cm)
- Emma Watson – 5ft 5in (165 cm)
- Florence Pugh – 5ft 4in (163 cm)
So, at 174 cm, you’re a bit taller than Harry Potter himself (Daniel Radcliffe is 165 cm), and basically the same height as Spider-Man.
Everyday Examples – When It Helps to Know Both
Knowing your height in both cm and feet is more useful than you might think:
- Filling out a dating app profile?
- Most people list height in feet and inches.
- Buying clothes or shoes online?
- Particularly on European websites, size charts frequently employ centimetres.
- Going to the US?
- They’ll ask for feet and inches.
- Gym or personal trainer forms?
- Could be either.
Knowing both just makes life easier. And it saves you from awkward guesses.
Height Chart – Quick Reference
Here’s a mini chart to help place 174 cm in context:
| Height (cm) | Height (ft & in) |
| 160 cm | 5ft 3in |
| 165 cm | 5ft 5in |
| 170 cm | 5ft 7in |
| 174 cm | 5ft 8½in |
| 180 cm | 5ft 11in |
| 185 cm | 6ft 1in |
So, you sit comfortably between 5ft 7in and 5ft 11in — a sweet spot for many.
How Does 174 cm Look in Photos?
If you’re trying to imagine how you’ll look in a group photo:
- You’ll be about average height in a crowd of men.
- You’ll look taller than most women.
- You won’t look short — unless your mates are all over 6 foot!
And let’s be honest — camera angles and shoes play a huge part anyway.
Fun Fact: Height Around the World
Your height feels totally different depending on where you are:
- In the Netherlands, men average 183 cm — so you’d be on the shorter side.
- In Japan or Indonesia, you’d actually be tall.
- In India, you’d be a few cm above average for a man.
So don’t stress — it’s all relative. 174 cm is a comfortable, well-balanced height wherever you are.
Other Useful Conversions
In case you’re dealing with other measurements:
| Unit | Measurement |
| Metres | 1.74 m |
| Millimetres | 1,740 mm |
| Inches | 68.5 inches |
| Feet & Inches | 5ft 8.5in |
Perfect for tailors, foreign forms, or just satisfying your curiosity.
Estimating Your Height in Feet – Easy Tip
No calculator? Here’s a rough trick:
- Divide your height in cm by 2.54 to get inches
- The feet and remaining inches can be calculated by dividing the result by 12.
For 174 cm:
- 174 ÷ 2.54 = 68.5 inches
- 68.5 ÷ 12 = 5 feet and 8.5 inches
Pretty simple!
Is 174 cm a Good Height?
Absolutely. It’s that ideal middle ground:
- Tall for women, but not too tall
- Slightly under average for men, but still comfortably within the normal range
- Great for fashion, sport, or just everyday life
You can find clothes that fit, you’re not struggling to reach the top shelf, and you’re not towering over everyone either.
Final Thoughts
So now you know — 174 cm equals 5 foot 8 and a half inches.
It’s a handy piece of info that’s more useful than it seems. From forms to fashion, gym goals to group photos, knowing your height in both systems can save a lot of second-guessing.
And at 174 cm? You’re sitting right in that “just right” zone.
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