Convert 5 feet 8 inches into inches, centimeters, millimeters,
meters, yards, and decimal feet.
A height of 5 feet 8 inches (172.72 cm) is comparable to various
people, household items, and outdoor objects.
Tall adult man
Tall adult woman
Older teenage boy
Adult man around the average height in some countries
Tall bookshelf
Tall refrigerator
Tall wardrobe
Tall floor lamp
Tall cabinet
Tall privacy screen
Large houseplant
Horse measuring about 17 hands at the withers
Shop mannequin displayed on a stand
Tall garden sunflower
Long soaking tub, depending on its design and orientation
Note: These are approximate comparisons, not standard
measurements. Actual heights vary by person, product, plant, and animal.
In the United States, the average adult man is about 5 feet 9 inches tall, so a man at 5 feet 8 inches is just one inch below average. Many adult men are exactly this height, which makes it one of the easiest heights to picture.
This is a helpful everyday comparison. A man at 5 feet 8 inches is a familiar height in any crowd.
A woman at 5 feet 8 inches is tall by any measure. In the United States, where the average adult woman is about 5 feet 4 inches, a woman at this height stands four inches above average.
This example shows that 5 feet 8 inches is a height found in adults of both sexes, even though it is more common in men.
An older teenage boy of about 17 or 18 years old is often about 5 feet 8 inches, though teenagers vary widely. Some boys reach this height earlier, and some grow a little taller into their early twenties.
This is a helpful comparison for families. A teenager who is as tall as most adults is often around this height.
In many countries outside the United States, the average adult man is close to 5 feet 8 inches. Global male averages are often around 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 8 inches, depending on the country.
This is a useful international comparison. A man at 5 feet 8 inches is average in much of the world, even if he is just below average in the United States.
A tall bookshelf with five or six shelves is often about 68 to 72 inches tall. A bookshelf at the lower end of that range is close to 5 feet 8 inches.
This is a practical home reference. A bookshelf at 5 feet 8 inches reaches well above the head of a shorter adult.
A tall refrigerator is usually 66 to 72 inches tall, so a model at 68 inches is exactly 5 feet 8 inches. Smaller top-freezer models are shorter, usually around 60 to 66 inches.
This is an approximate kitchen comparison. A fridge at about 5 feet 8 inches reaches well above the shoulders of most adults.
A tall wardrobe is often about 68 to 84 inches tall, depending on whether it reaches the ceiling. A freestanding wardrobe at the lower end of that range is close to 5 feet 8 inches.
This is a bedroom reference. A wardrobe at this height stores long coats and dresses without folding them.
A tall floor lamp, especially an arc lamp, can be about 68 inches tall. Standard floor lamps are often 58 to 64 inches, while taller designs reach 5 feet 8 inches.
If a lamp’s light sits well above your head while you are standing, it may be close to this height. It is a useful comparison in a living room at night.
A tall kitchen or storage cabinet is often about 68 to 84 inches tall, depending on whether it reaches the ceiling. A freestanding cabinet at the lower end of that range is close to 5 feet 8 inches.
This is a kitchen and office reference. A cabinet at this height stores a lot, but still leaves space above it in a room with a standard ceiling.
A tall privacy screen or room divider is often about 68 to 84 inches tall. A screen at the lower end of that range is close to 5 feet 8 inches, tall enough to block a standing person’s view.
This is a home and office reference. A 5-foot-8-inch screen gives privacy in a shared room without reaching the ceiling.
A large indoor tree, such as a fiddle-leaf fig or a tall monstera, can grow to about 68 inches tall indoors. In the wild these plants grow much taller, but in a pot they are often kept near this height.
A houseplant at 5 feet 8 inches is a statement plant. It is taller than most furniture and draws the eye upward in a room.
Horses are measured in hands, and one hand equals 4 inches. A horse at 17 hands measures 68 inches at the shoulder, which is exactly 5 feet 8 inches.
This is an exact conversion. A horse at 17 hands is a large riding horse, and its shoulder height matches this human height.
A shop mannequin on a stand is often about 68 to 76 inches tall in total, including its base. A mannequin modeled on a tall adult, plus its stand, is close to this total height.
Window displays therefore give a useful visual. A mannequin at this height looks like a real tall adult person, which is exactly the point.
A tall garden sunflower can grow to about 68 inches tall in a good growing season, though some varieties grow to 6 feet or more. Sunflowers in a sunny garden often reach this height by late summer.
This is an approximate, seasonal example. A sunflower at 5 feet 8 inches is taller than most gardeners, and a cheerful way to remember the height.
A long soaking tub or freestanding bathtub is often about 68 inches long, which is exactly 5 feet 8 inches. Standard tubs are usually 60 inches, while longer soaking tubs reach this length.
This is a bathroom reference. A tub at 5 feet 8 inches gives a tall adult room to stretch out, which is the whole point of a soaking tub.
Five feet 8 inches is exactly 172.72 centimeters. Many people round this to 173 centimeters in everyday conversation.
It is just below average for an adult man in the United States, where the average is about 5 feet 9 inches. It is generally considered average, not short.
Yes, it is well above average for an adult woman in the United States, where the average is about 5 feet 4 inches. A woman at 5 feet 8 inches is noticeably tall.
It is 1.7272 meters. In decimal feet, it is 5.67 feet.
Picture a tall adult man, a tall refrigerator, or a horse at 17 hands. All three are close to 68 inches tall.
Five feet 8 inches is 68 inches, or 172.72 centimeters, and it is a height you meet every day. It is a tall adult, the height of a tall refrigerator or wardrobe, and the height of many tall plants and household objects.
Once you link this number to one familiar example, such as a person you know or a fridge in your kitchen, estimating 5 feet 8 inches becomes easy. For official metric background, see NIST SI Units – Length .
Related guides: How Long Is 20 Feet? Everyday Examples , 18 Common Things That Are 20 Inches Long (With Pictures) , Measurement Calculators & Tools
Hi, I’m Michael Carter, I write simple, everyday size guides so you can picture any measurement in seconds.
Post navigation
