Why Do Girls like Tall Boys? 12 Explanations

Answering the age-old question: Does height matter?

Co-authored by Cher Gopman and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: August 25, 2024 Fact Checked

As you’re swiping through dating apps or scrolling through social media, you might notice a lot of women with profiles that have a height requirement: “6’0 or over preferred,” “No guys under 5’11.” While guys of any height can be attractive, it certainly feels like most women only want tall men—why is that? These reasons certainly don’t apply to all women, but there are some explanations as to why women tend to go for taller partners. Keep reading to learn why this stereotype happens so often.

Things You Should Know

Some women prefer tall guys because the height difference makes them feel protected and safe.
Women often prefer tall guys because they’re portrayed as masculine in the media.
Tall women will often go after tall guys because they feel comfortable when their partner is similar to them.
A lot of tall guys prefer short girls, so they tend to seek each other out.

1

Tall men are seen as protective and strong.

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A tall guy makes a woman feel safe and secure. While short men are just as capable of looking after their partners, tall guys exude a sense of safety that many women appreciate. When a shorter woman is with a taller man, she might feel like she doesn’t have to worry about her own security or protection.^{[1]
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- In modern times, though, many women aren’t looking for someone to “protect” them in daily life. Women are just as capable of defending themselves as men are, no matter how tall they might be!

2

They are (statistically) more financially stable.

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On average, tall guys make $800 more per year than short guys. For both men and women alike, every inch they are taller is about a 1% increase in their salary. Experts aren’t exactly sure why this phenomenon happens, but women may be going after tall men because they subconsciously think they earn more.^{[2]
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- Of course, money isn’t everything! Finding the right person is all about how your personalities match up and whether or not you like each other.

3

Tall men tend to seek out short women.

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Since more tall men like short girls, the reverse is also true. It just makes sense: if all the tall men are constantly seeking out short women, then short women are going to start seeking out tall men, too. Guys tend to go after short girls because they make them feel taller, which can boost a guy’s confidence.^{[3]
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- Not all tall guys go after short girls, though. Have you ever seen a couple with a super tall guy and a super tall girl? Some studies suggest that we tend to seek out partners who are around the same height as us because we feel comfortable when our partner is similar to us.

4

They’re seen as more masculine.

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Tall guys tend to emanate a sense of machismo because of stereotypes. When you think of a stereotypical “man,” he’s probably bearded, tall, and has a deep voice. While not all men have these features, tall men tend to fall into the “masculine” category more often. And a lot of women are looking for a masculine man to complement their feminine ways.^{[4]
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- Even if you aren’t the tallest guy around, being confident can help you give off an air of masculinity. When you hold your head high and walk into a room with confidence, you’ll automatically seem more manly.

5

Tall men are portrayed more in the media.

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Most actors in movies and TV shows are taller than average. Think of your favorite male movie star: is he a tall guy? Most men on screen are taller than their romantic counterparts. Since this portrayal is in the background of our minds, women often go after tall men to emulate what they see on TV.^{[5]
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- Even short guys in the media will use lifts or stand on boxes to appear taller on screen. Ever seen Tom Cruise in real life? He’s only 5’7”, but you’d never know it from his on-screen portrayals!

6

The height difference is socially accepted.

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Society tends to expect women to find a guy who’s taller than them. While it’s absolutely fine if couples are varying in height, many women find it easier to date tall men. That way, the general population will accept them without question, and they won’t face any judgment.^{[6]
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- Of course, there are lots of women who don’t care about what society thinks, and will just pursue the guy that they like the most.

7

Tall men are generally sporty and fit.

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Many women are attracted to active guys who play sports. While certainly not all tall guys exercise or work out, a lot of them do. Lots of women are attracted to men who are active and stay in shape, which tends to be true for a lot of tall guys.^{[7]
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- This is especially true for women who are particularly active themselves. They probably want to find a partner who can keep up with their sporty lifestyle.

8

They look good in photos.

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Ever heard someone say, “They’re a good-looking couple”? With social media so prevalent in all of our lives, it’s no secret that some women are thinking about how their new man will look next to them on Instagram or Facebook. Many people think that tall guys look good in pics, which could be a contributing factor in their attraction.^{[8]
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9

Tall men can make women feel more feminine.

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Traditionally masculine men make women feel girly. While not all women want to feel feminine in their daily lives, a lot of women like tall men because it emphasizes their own femininity. If you know a super girly girl who’s exclusively into tall guys, that might be the reason why.^{[9]
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- Again, this dives a little bit into a sexist stereotype—not all couples subscribe to traditional gender roles.

10

They’re great at cuddling.

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Tall guys are often said to be great snugglers. Cuddling is a big part of most relationships, and a lot of women like to feel held while they drift off to sleep. Many people believe that tall guys are better at cuddling because they can wrap their partners up with their bodies.^{[10]
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- That’s not to say that short guys can’t be great at cuddling, too! Height matters even less when you’re laying down or snuggling on the couch together.

11

Tall men tend to be healthier.

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Statistically, tall guys report better overall health than short guys do. While this could be for any number of reasons (genetics, BMI, etc.), there may be a subtle inclination to favor tall guys because they stay healthy. While this likely isn’t on the forefront of most women’s minds, it could be a slight contributing factor.^{[11]
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- Tall guys generally have an easier time staying within a healthy weight range because tall people tend to be long and lean.

12

They can reach things on the top shelf.

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Maybe a short woman wants a tall man who can see over the crowd at concerts or grab the last can of soup on the highest shelf at the grocery store. If she’s short, a tall guy can help her navigate the world a little better than she can on her own.^{[12]
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Are short people unhealthy and doomed for life?

Iris8989

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No, not at all! In fact, some studies say short people live, on average, longer than tall people. Being short doesn't affect your life at all, and you don't have to listen to the stereotypes.

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Is it okay to be a tall woman (5'7) and date a short man (5'3)?

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Of course. Go ahead if you like him. The more you like him, the less his height will matter.

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Remember: height isn’t everything! Experts say that someone’s personality, sense of humor, and values matter much more than how tall they are when it comes to dating.

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