How to Measure Your Height by Yourself

Reviewed by Joseph Meyer

Last Updated: November 24, 2024 Fact Checked

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If you need to know your height but there's no one around to measure it for you, don't worry. There are several ways you can accurately measure your height by yourself.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Measuring Tape

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1
Gather the items that you will need to measure yourself. Make sure that you have the following:
- A measuring tape, a ruler or a yardstick
- A mirror
- A pencil
- A small box or thick book
2
Choose the right spot to measure yourself. Pick a location that meets these requirements:
- Find a flat, open space of floor next to a wall.
- Find a place where you can stand with your back to the wall.
- Find a place where you can make a small pencil mark on the wall.
- Stand on a hard floor made of concrete, tile or hardwood. Avoid floors covered by carpets or rugs.
- Try to find a space next to a door or in a corner to help guide your measuring tape.
- Try to find a location that faces a mirror to eliminate the need for a hand mirror.
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3
Get yourself ready to measure your height. Make sure to do the following:
- Take off your socks and shoes. Measure your height when you are barefoot because flip flops, slippers, and even socks will affect the measurement.
- Remove anything from your head. Don’t wear a hat, a headband or a ponytail. Keep your hair flat.^{[1]
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- Stand with your back against the wall and your feet together. Stand up as straight as possible with your heels, back, shoulders, and head all touching the wall. Tuck in your chin and look straight ahead.
4
Follow these directions to start measuring yourself. Make sure that can easily reach anything that you might need while measuring yourself.
- Hold the box in one hand, and the mirror and pencil in the other.
- Raise the small box to the top of your head, and press it against the wall.
- Use the mirror to make sure the box is horizontal to the floor and perpendicular to the wall, forming a right angle. Do not tilt the box as this will cause an inaccurate measurement.
5
Mark the position above the top of your head on the wall with a pencil. Make sure not to move the box or your finger as you do this.
- Mark the place on the wall where the bottom of the box is resting. Hold the box in its position and slide out from under it, if possible.
- Try putting your finger at the bottom of the box and hold it in position as you slide out of position.
- You may be able to make the mark without sliding out of position at all.
6
Measure from the floor to the pencil mark with a measuring tape. Keep the measuring tape flat against the wall.
- If your measuring tape is too short to measure your full height, measure as high as you can and make a pencil mark on the wall.
- Note the measurement.
- Keep measuring this until you reach the pencil mark you made using the box.
- Add the individual measurements together to get your height.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Makeshift Ruler

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1
Make your own ruler by using a dollar bill, string, tape and a marker.^{[2]
X
Research source} Measure your height with your makeshift ruler if you don’t have a tape measure or standard ruler.
- Consider this method if you need to find your height right away and don’t have time to get a ruler.
- Be aware that this will be an approximate measurement.
2
Use the dollar bill to help you make your ruler. Making a ruler by measuring a dollar bill is easy because all bills in the United States are 6 inches long (½ feet).^{[3]
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- Lay the bill next to the string. Lay the bill and string flat with your hand.
- Mark the end of the bill on the string with a marker and repeat until you reach 6 feet.
- Use another bill if you don’t have a dollar bill.
3
Use your makeshift ruler as you would a normal ruler. Attach the string to the wall using tape.
- Be sure not to break the string.
- Stand up straight with your feet and back against the wall.
- Mark the top of your head on the wall.
- Look at the string to find your height.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Stadiometer

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1
Find a stadiometer to help measure your height. Look for a stadiometer at a doctor's office or a gym.^{[4]
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Research source}
- Find a digital stadiometer if possible. Using a digital stadiometer will yield a more accurate result.
- Look for a stadiometer that is constructed out of a ruler and a sliding horizontal headpiece that you can adjust to rest on the top of the head.
- Consider asking your doctor to measure your height with a stadiometer.
2
Get yourself ready to measure your height. Make sure to do the following:
- Take off your socks and shoes. Measure your height when you are barefoot because flip flops, slippers, and even socks will affect the measurement.
- Remove anything from your head. Don’t wear a hat, a headband or a ponytail. Press down on the stadiometer to keep your hair flat.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
- Stand on the stadiometer platform with your back against the wall and your feet together. Stand up as straight as possible with your heels, back, shoulders, and head all touching the wall. Tuck in your chin and look straight ahead.
3
Adjust the horizontal arm on the stadiometer so that it is resting on the top of your head. Be aware that you can move this arm up and down.
- Make sure that vertical arm works properly before trying to measure yourself.
- Keep in mind that you may need to fold or flip the horizontal arm up so that it is perpendicular with the floor.
4
Find your height on the stadiometer. Step out from underneath the horizontal arm once you have adjusted it correctly and look for the measurement.
- Keep in mind that your height will be displayed on the vertical pole of the stadiometer.
- Look for an arrow pointing to the measurement at the base of the horizontal arm.
- Be aware that digital stadiometers will display your height on a small screen instead.

Community Q&A

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Question

Why do women lose inches in height the older they get?

Community Answer

Elderly people can experience spine compression and can begin to hunch over, both of which can lead to loss of height. Sitting up straight and remaining active are good ways to combat it.

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What unit of measurement should I use?

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Height is usually measured in cm (centimeters) or m (meters). (E.g. 154 cm or 1.54 m.)

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Does a girl continue to grow after age 17?

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It can happen, but most girls do not. Most girls stop growing a few years after getting their first period.

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Tips

Measure yourself in the morning. During the day our spines compress, making us shorter. Measure yourself in the morning to get your full, accurate height.

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