170cm in Feet and Inches: Exact Conversion Guide

Converting 170cm to feet yields 5’6.93″ (rounded to 5’7″), a figure that sits below average for men in Western countries while placing women well above the U.S. female average. This height opens doors in commercial modeling but falls short of high-fashion runway requirements.

170 cm in feet: 5 feet 6.93 inches · 1 foot: 30.48 cm · Rounded height: 5’7″ · U.S. male average: 5’9″

The table below consolidates verified conversion values and population benchmarks for quick reference.

How many feet and inches are there in 170 cm?

The straightforward answer is 5 feet and 6.93 inches, or approximately 5’7″ when rounded up. This places 170cm squarely in the “average to slightly below average” range for adult men in Western countries, while it sits well above average for women.

The calculation itself is simple: divide 170 by 30.48 (the number of centimeters in a foot), which gives you 5.577 feet. The decimal portion (.577) multiplied by 12 yields the inch measurement—roughly 6.93 inches.

Exact calculation

170 ÷ 30.48 = 5.577 feet. To express this in feet and inches: the whole number 5 represents full feet, and 0.577 × 12 = 6.93 inches. Some sources round this to 5’7″ for simplicity, while others keep the precise 5’6.9″ figure.

Formula breakdown

The conversion formula is consistent for any centimeter-to-feet calculation: feet = centimeters ÷ 30.48. Conversely, to convert feet back to centimeters, multiply by 30.48. This fixed ratio comes from the international definition of a foot as exactly 30.48 centimeters.

Is 170 cm 5’5″ or 5’7″?

Neither label is technically correct, but 5’7″ gets much closer to the truth. Here’s why the confusion exists and what the numbers actually show.

At 5’6.93″, 170cm sits between 5’6″ (167.64cm) and 5’7″ (170.18cm). The rounding choice matters depending on context—fashion and modeling typically prefer the higher figure, while medical or statistical sources often use precise measurements.

Precise vs rounded conversion

The exact figure is 5’6.93″ or approximately 5 feet 7 inches. When rounded to the nearest whole inch, 6.93 rounds up to 7, giving us 5’7″. Some older conversion tables or casual references might cite 5’6″, but this undercounts by nearly a full inch.

Common approximations

Various sources handle this differently. Sengpiel Audio notes 170cm is approximately 5’7″, while The Calculator Site lists the precise value as 5’6.9″. Both are correct; the difference is rounding convention.

Is 170cm equal to 5 foot 8 inches?

No. At 170cm, you fall short of 5’8″ by approximately 2.72 centimeters. This distinction matters in contexts where specific height thresholds apply, such as modeling castings or sports requirements.

The actual conversion shows: 5’8″ equals 172.72cm, meaning 170cm is 2.72cm shorter than the five-foot-eight mark. Backstage notes that women under 175cm have no chance in major fashion castings, and at 170cm, you’re not even at the 5’8″ baseline that many agencies use.

Why the confusion

The confusion arises because people often round to the nearest inch without tracking the cumulative error. When you round 6.93 up to 7, you get 5’7″. But some sources round down to 5’6″, and others incorrectly round 6.93 to 8, creating the 5’8″ misconception.

5’8″ actual cm equivalent

5 feet 8 inches = 172.72 cm. This is calculated as (5 × 30.48) + (8 × 2.54) = 152.4 + 20.32 = 172.72 cm. The difference between 170cm and 172.72cm is 2.72cm—roughly the length of a standard matchstick.

How tall am I if I am 170cm?

Your experience of being 170cm tall depends heavily on your gender, location, and the company you keep. Here’s how that number places you relative to population averages.

In the United States, the average adult male stands at 5’9.17″ (175.5cm) according to Sengpiel Audio, placing a 170cm man at roughly the 25th percentile. For women, the U.S. average is 5’3.58″ (162.5cm), which puts 170cm women well above average—at approximately the 75th percentile.

U.S. and global averages

Looking at DQYDJ percentile data, a 170cm man in the United States falls around the 25th percentile—meaning he’s shorter than about 75% of American men. A 170cm woman, by contrast, sits near the 75th percentile, taller than roughly three-quarters of American women.

Globally, the picture shifts. Sengpiel Audio reports South American males average 165.5cm (5’5″), making 170cm noticeably above average there. The global male average hovers around 5’7″, meaning 170cm sits right at the worldwide baseline for men.

Male vs female perspectives

For men, 170cm often registers as slightly short in North American and European contexts where averages skew taller. Many men at this height report using lifts in professional photos or feeling shorter in group settings.

For women, 170cm (5’7″) is considered tall in most Western countries. This height is often seen as attractive for fashion and modeling, though it may present challenges finding properly fitting clothes for petite or standard sizing categories.

Is 170 cm tall enough to be a model?

This is where 170cm hits a ceiling in high fashion but finds open doors in commercial work. The modeling industry’s height standards are exacting, and 170cm falls short of runway requirements while meeting most commercial benchmarks.

According to Backstage, female fashion models typically need to be at least 5’9″ (175cm), while male fashion models generally range from 6’0″ to 6’5″ (183-196cm). Commercial models face more flexible requirements—female commercial models need at least 5’6″ (168cm), and male commercial models at least 5’10” (178cm).

Industry standards

CM Models states that international fashion standards require female models between 176-180cm and male models between 186-190cm. Their blunt assessment: women under 175cm have no chance in major fashion castings.

The UK Models agency (aligned with British Association of Model Agents standards) lists female fashion models at 5’8″-5’11” and male fashion models at 5’11”-6’2″. At 170cm, a woman would be below the UK fashion minimum of 5’8″.

JCAS Blancas reports that the average female runway model stands at 5’9.5″ (177cm), with male runway models ranging 5’11”-6’3″. Current 2025 data from Colorful Socks shows the average female runway model at 5’10” (178cm) and the average male fashion model at 6’1″ (185cm).

Height role in modeling

Runway models need height to carry the proportions designers demand. A taller frame allows clothing to drape as designed during runway walks and photo shoots. Backstage notes that fit models—a separate category—range from 5’4″ to 5’9″, encompassing 170cm.

Commercial and advertising modeling offers the most realistic path for 170cm individuals. CM Models confirms 170cm is viable for advertising if proportions are right. UK Models lists commercial female models at 5’6″-5’11”, which comfortably includes 170cm.

Petite modeling represents another avenue. Colorful Socks reports that models under 5’7″ (170cm) represent 2.3% of 2025 contracts—a small but existing segment. Commercial and print models average 5’7″-5’9″ according to their data.

Comparison: 170cm Across Different Standards

Six measurement contexts, one consistent pattern: 170cm falls short of fashion benchmarks but meets or exceeds general population and commercial standards.

This side-by-side view shows exactly where 170cm lands relative to each benchmark.

The takeaway: 170cm passes the commercial bar but fails every fashion runway threshold currently in use.

Clarity: What’s Confirmed and What’s Unclear

“Despite ongoing calls for inclusivity, top runway models remain predominantly tall. Major shows like Paris and Milan Fashion Week still book models averaging 5’10”.”

— Colorful Socks fashion analyst

“You don’t stand a chance as a woman at castings in fashion cities under 175cm.”

— CM Models casting director

“The British Association of Model Agents (AMA) states that female fashion models should measure between 5’8 and to 5’11.”

— UK Models industry analyst

Summary

The conversion of 170cm to feet and inches reveals a height that tells two different stories depending on context. For men in Western countries, 170cm sits below average—around the 25th percentile in the United States—while for women it represents a commanding presence above the 75th percentile. In the modeling world, the 5’7″ figure falls short of every high-fashion runway standard by 5-10 centimeters, yet comfortably meets commercial and advertising minimums. The runway door is largely closed, but commercial modeling, print work, and advertising remain viable paths for those at this height. What this means for anyone asking “is 170cm tall enough?”: the answer depends entirely on what you’re measuring toward. For everyday life, it’s unremarkable. For high fashion, it’s disqualifying. For commercial modeling, it’s sufficient.

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For comparison, the 175cm in feet and inches rounds to five feet nine inches, just above the 170cm equivalent of five feet seven.

Frequently asked questions