Writing height correctly matters more than most people think. A medical chart, a job application, or a child’s growth record all depend on clear, accurate numbers. The good news is the rules are simple once you know them. This guide walks you through the exact steps for writing height in feet and inches, centimeters, and meters — and explains when each format is appropriate.
What Is the Standard Way To Write Height?
The most common format in the United States uses feet and inches. You write the number of feet first, followed by the number of inches. Use an apostrophe for feet and a quotation mark for inches.
Example: 5’10” means 5 feet 10 inches.
Do not put a space between the number and the symbol. Write 5’10” — not 5′ 10″. The apostrophe and quote mark should sit directly against the numbers.
For whole feet with no inches, write 5’0″ — not just 5′. The zero inches prevents confusion. Someone reading 5′ might wonder if a number was accidentally dropped.
How To Write Height in Centimeters and Meters
Most of the world uses the metric system. In medical and scientific settings, height is almost always recorded in centimeters. Write the number followed by “cm” — no period after the abbreviation.
Example: 178 cm
For meters, write the number followed by “m.” Most people write meters with two decimal places for height.
Example: 1.78 m
Medical records in the United States commonly use centimeters even though daily conversation uses feet and inches. This is because centimeters are more precise and easier to track in growth charts and electronic health records.
How To Convert Between Feet and Inches and Centimeters
One inch equals 2.54 centimeters exactly. This is a fixed conversion — it does not change. To convert feet and inches to centimeters, multiply the total inches by 2.54.
Here is the step-by-step process:
- Multiply the number of feet by 12 to get inches
- Add the remaining inches
- Multiply the total by 2.54
Example: 5’10” becomes (5 × 12) + 10 = 70 inches. Then 70 × 2.54 = 177.8 cm.
To convert centimeters back to feet and inches, divide by 2.54 to get total inches. Then divide that number by 12. The whole number is feet, and the remainder is inches.
Example: 178 cm ÷ 2.54 = 70.08 inches. Then 70.08 ÷ 12 = 5 feet with 10.08 inches remaining. So 178 cm rounds to 5’10”.
How To Write Height on Forms and Medical Records
Different forms ask for height in different units. Always check what the form requests before writing anything.
Medical intake forms in the US often ask for height in feet and inches, but pediatric growth charts use centimeters. Electronic health records typically store height in centimeters regardless of what the front desk staff types in.
When a form asks for height in inches only, convert everything to a single number. A person who is 5’10” writes 70 inches. This is common on driver’s license applications and some employment forms.
If a form asks for meters, use two decimal places. Write 1.78 m, not 1.8 m. The extra decimal place reduces rounding errors in clinical calculations.
Common Mistakes When Writing Height
The most frequent error is mixing symbols and words. Write 5’10” or 5 feet 10 inches — never 5’10 inches. Pick one format and stick with it.
Another common mistake is forgetting the apostrophe direction. The symbol for feet is a straight apostrophe (‘), and the symbol for inches is a straight quotation mark (“). Curly quotation marks look similar but are technically different characters.
Rounding errors cause problems too. Many people round 177.8 cm up to 178 cm, which is fine. But rounding 177.4 cm up to 178 cm introduces a small error that can matter in medical dosing calculations. Round to the nearest whole centimeter only.
Writing “5 ft 10 in” is acceptable but less common on forms. It is clear and unambiguous. Use it when typing in plain text where symbols might not display correctly.
How To Write Height for Children and Growth Tracking
Pediatric growth tracking uses precise measurements. Children are measured lying down until age 2, then standing after that. This distinction matters because lying measurements are slightly longer than standing measurements.
Growth charts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention use both percentiles and z-scores. These charts require height in centimeters for accurate plotting. Converting feet and inches to centimeters before plotting prevents errors.
For tracking growth over time, consistency matters more than the unit. Measure the same way, at the same time of day, using the same equipment. Height naturally varies by about 1 to 2 centimeters between morning and evening because the spine compresses during the day.
How To Write Height in Different Countries and Contexts
The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom commonly use feet and inches for everyday conversation. Most other countries use centimeters or meters exclusively. Scientific publications worldwide use centimeters or meters.
If you are writing for an international audience, include both formats. Write 5’10” (178 cm) so readers in any country understand. This dual format appears frequently in medical research papers and international business documents.
Aviation and military contexts sometimes use a slightly different format. Pilots’ heights may be recorded as “5-10” with a hyphen instead of an apostrophe. This format is specific to certain industries and should not be used in general writing.
Clothing size charts and sports profiles often list height in multiple formats. A basketball player profile might say 6’7″ / 201 cm. This redundancy prevents confusion across international audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I put a space between the number and the inch mark?
No. Write 5’10” with no spaces between the numbers and symbols. The apostrophe and quotation mark touch the numbers directly.
How do I write 6 feet tall in inches only?
Multiply 6 by 12 to get 72 inches. Forms requesting height in inches expect the total number, not the feet and inches breakdown.
Is 5’7″ the same as 170 cm?
Not exactly. 5’7″ equals 170.18 cm, which rounds to 170 cm. The difference is negligible for most purposes but can matter in precise medical calculations.
Should I write height in feet or centimeters on a job application?
Follow the form’s instructions exactly. If the form does not specify, use the format common in your country — feet and inches in the US, centimeters almost everywhere else.
Writing height correctly is about clarity and precision. The format you choose should match the context, and the numbers should be accurate. Whether you are filling out a medical form, tracking a child’s growth, or completing an international document, the rules above cover every common situation. When in doubt, include both formats — a clear number in feet and inches alongside its centimeter equivalent leaves no room for misunderstanding.
