If you’ve ever stared at a height chart and wondered whether 164 centimeters actually rounds up to 5’5″ or stops just short of 5’4″, you’re not alone — it’s a conversion that trips up a surprising number of people. This guide settles the math, then puts 164 cm in context: what it means for women specifically, where it sits relative to average heights, and whether it qualifies as petite in fashion terms.

4 related posts

Exact Conversion: 5 feet 4.57 inches ·
Decimal Feet: 5.38 ft ·
Closest Standard: 5’5″ ·
Reverse: 5’4″ in cm: 162.56 cm ·
5’5″ in cm: 165.1 cm

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Some brands set their own petite cutoffs slightly differently
  • Regional variation exists across Asian and European markets
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Clothing size decisions hinge on whether you use petite or regular sizing
  • Understanding your exact equivalent helps with online shopping accuracy
Measurement Value
164 cm to feet/inches 5′ 4.57″
Decimal equivalent 5.38 ft
5’4″ equivalent 162.56 cm
5’5″ equivalent 165.1 cm
Petite threshold (common) < 162.5 cm

Is 164cm 5’4″ or 5’5″?

The honest answer is neither, exactly — but 164 cm sits closer to 5’4″ than to 5’5″. The exact conversion is 5 feet 4.57 inches, which rounds differently depending on context (Calculatio converter). Medical and official charts typically favor precision: the NHS Height Conversion Chart published in March 2023 lists 164 cm as 5’4.5″ (Official NHS conversion chart). Clothing brands, by contrast, tend to round to the nearest whole inch for simplicity.

Exact measurement breakdown

The formula is straightforward: divide centimeters by 30.48 (the exact number of centimeters in one foot) (RapidTables conversion formula). For 164 cm, that gives 5.380577 feet. To convert the decimal portion back to inches, multiply by 12: 0.380577 × 12 = 4.5669 inches. Rounding to two decimal places yields 5’4.57″. Multiple independent calculators confirm this result within a 0.01-inch variance (CalculateMe verification table).

The upshot

164 cm exceeds the exact 5’4″ (162.56 cm) mark by 1.44 cm, yet falls 1.1 cm short of 5’5″ (165.1 cm). The rounding gap of just 0.44 inches between two standard labels is why people see different values on different converters.

Visual height comparison

The practical difference between 5’4″ and 5’5″ is subtle in real-world terms. A helpful way to visualize 164 cm: it sits almost exactly at the midpoint between these two common height markers. Online height charts and converter tools consistently show 164 cm as falling between the 5’4″ and 5’5″ lines, closer to 5’4″ (The Calculator Site converter).

How tall is 164 cm in feet?

164 cm converts to 5.38 feet in decimal form, or more precisely 5 feet and 4.57 inches (Calculatio converter). This means roughly 5 and three-eighths feet — not a number most people use in casual conversation. The imperial system was standardized internationally in 1959, when one foot was formally defined as exactly 30.48 centimeters (RapidTables conversion formula). The metric system itself traces back to 1795, when the French Academy first defined the centimeter based on the Earth’s meridian.

Conversion formula

To convert any centimeter value to feet manually: feet = cm ÷ 30.48, then the decimal portion × 12 gives you inches. Alternatively, 1 cm = 0.0328084 feet (RapidTables conversion formula). For 164 cm specifically: 164 × 0.0328084 = 5.38058 feet. The conversion is consistent across calculators with a variance of less than 0.01 inch — a testament to the precision of international measurement standards (CalculateMe verification table).

Feet and inches detail

Breaking it down by whole numbers: 5 feet plus the remaining inches. Since there are 12 inches in a foot, 5’4.57″ means 5 whole feet plus 4.57 inches. In pure inch terms, 164 cm = 64.57 inches total (Saving.org height calculator). Worldometer and other instant converter tools display this same value across their conversion tables (Worldometer instant converter).

How tall is 164 cm for a girl?

For women, 164 cm (5’4.57″) is notably close to the U.S. average female height of 5’4″ to 5’5″ (163-165 cm) (Wikipedia sizing definition). In some Asian countries where average female heights tend to be shorter, 164 cm may rank above average. In the UK and across Europe, where average female height spans 163 cm to 168 cm, a 164 cm woman falls comfortably within or slightly below the typical range (Wikipedia sizing definition).

Average female heights by region

The average height of American women is roughly between 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) and 5 ft 5 in (165 cm), which places 164 cm squarely in the middle of the U.S. normal distribution (Wikipedia sizing definition). UK and European averages run slightly taller: 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) to 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) (Wikipedia sizing definition). In many East Asian countries, where average female heights typically range from 155 cm to 160 cm, a woman at 164 cm would stand noticeably taller than average.

Perception as short or average

At 5’4.57″, a woman at 164 cm occupies an interesting middle ground: tall enough to see over standard counters and crowds, yet short enough that ready-to-wear clothing often fits differently than on taller frames. Clothing size calculators frequently default to 5’4″ or 5’5″ designations, which means the 0.57-inch difference can push sizing decisions one direction or another depending on the brand’s rounding approach.

Is 164 cm considered petite?

In fashion, petite sizing is designed specifically for women 163 cm (5 ft 4 in) and under, according to the standard definition used across most U.S. retailers (Wikipedia sizing definition). This places 164 cm at the boundary — slightly above the typical petite threshold. Whether that makes a real difference depends heavily on the specific brand, because petite sizing isn’t just about height: it also accounts for shorter limb lengths and narrower shoulders (Wikipedia sizing definition).

Petite size definitions

The fashion industry defines petite primarily by height, but the actual fit of petite clothing reflects proportional differences: shorter torsos, higher waist points, and narrower shoulder widths compared to standard sizes. In fashion and clothing, a petite size is a standard clothing size designed specifically for women 163 cm (5 ft 4 in) and under (Wikipedia sizing definition). This means someone at 164 cm exceeds the baseline height requirement by just 1 centimeter — close enough that some guides classify 164 cm as borderline petite, especially for someone with shorter proportions.

Brand-specific cutoffs

While the U.S. standard places petite at 163 cm maximum, some international brands apply slightly different thresholds. European retailers may align with the same standard, while certain Asian fashion brands could use shorter cutoffs given their customer base’s average heights. The standard predominantly originates in U.S. fashion but has spread to other regions (Wikipedia sizing definition). For practical purposes, a 164 cm woman should try both regular and petite sizes, as fit varies more by brand and garment type than by the official size label.

The catch

Petite clothing includes tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, activewear, swimwear, and even petite plus sizes — so the category is broader than many shoppers realize. A woman at 164 cm with proportionally shorter legs or a shorter torso may find petite sizes fit better despite exceeding the height baseline by a single centimeter.

How tall is 5’4″ in cm?

5 feet 4 inches converts to exactly 162.56 cm (The Calculator Site converter). This means 164 cm exceeds 5’4″ by 1.44 centimeters — roughly the thickness of a pencil. The difference is small but meaningful in contexts like clothing measurements, where even a centimeter can affect sleeve or torso length.

Bottom line: 164 cm sits just 1.44 cm above the 5’4″ mark, making it closer to 5’4.57″. Women at this height are at or slightly above average in the U.S. and UK, and at the borderline of petite sizing — try both categories when shopping.

Reverse conversion

Working backwards: 5’4″ × 12 = 64 inches. 64 × 2.54 cm (the exact definition of one inch) = 162.56 cm (The Calculator Site converter). This calculation is exact by definition, since the inch was formally defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters in 1959 (RapidTables conversion formula).

Related heights: 162 cm, 165 cm

For context, 5’3″ (160.02 cm) falls below the U.S. average for women, while 5’4″ (162.56 cm) aligns with it. 5’4.5″ marks approximately 163.83 cm, and 5’5″ equals 165.1 cm (The Calculator Site converter). The NHS chart confirms 5’4.5″ as 1.64 m (164 cm) exactly (Official NHS conversion chart). This places 164 cm at the equivalent of 5’4.5″ in official medical terms.

The comparison table below shows how 164 cm (the exact conversion of 5’4.57″) relates to nearby imperial measurements in both centimeters and inches.

Height Centimeters Feet & Inches
5’3″ 160.02 cm Below average (U.S.)
5’4″ 162.56 cm Average (U.S.)
5’4.5″ 163.83 cm NHS reference point
5’4.57″ 164 cm Exact conversion
5’5″ 165.1 cm Average-high (U.S.)

The pattern shows that 164 cm sits just 1.44 cm above the 5’4″ mark, making it closer to 5’4.57″. Women at this height are at or slightly above average in the U.S. and UK, and at the borderline of petite sizing.

How tall is 164 cm for a guy?

For men, 164 cm falls significantly below the average male height in most Western countries. The average American male stands around 5’9″ (175.4 cm), and UK/European averages run similarly taller at 5’10” to 6’0″ (177-183 cm). A man at 164 cm would be considered short in these regions — roughly the 10th to 15th percentile in the U.S. The context shifts dramatically in countries with shorter average male heights, where 164 cm may approach or exceed the national average.

Regional male height variations

In many East Asian countries, average male heights of 165-170 cm mean a 164 cm man sits at or slightly below average. In parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia, similar ranges apply. For men, the practical implications of 164 cm include standard challenges like inseam lengths on pants, sleeve lengths on dress shirts, and the psychological social perception factor that varies by culture and region.

Why this matters

Height perceptions are culturally relative. What reads as short in one country may be unremarkable in another. For men specifically, 164 cm triggers different social and practical considerations than it does for women at the same height — particularly in fashion sizing, professional contexts, and healthcare calibration where dosage or equipment recommendations sometimes reference height.

Clarity on the facts

The conversion math for 164 cm is settled and verified across multiple independent sources. The fashion industry definition of petite at 163 cm and under is also well-established, though individual brands apply their own interpretations. Where genuine ambiguity remains is in how different systems round the same measurement — and whether someone at 164 cm should shop petite or regular sizes when the difference is just 1 centimeter above the threshold.

Confirmed

  • 164 cm = 5.380577 ft (verified by 7+ sources)
  • 1 foot = exactly 30.48 cm (international standard since 1959)
  • Petite standard: women 163 cm and under (Wikipedia sizing definition)
  • U.S. average female height: 163-165 cm
  • NHS chart lists 164 cm as 5’4.5″ (Official NHS conversion chart)

Unclear or contextual

  • Exact petite classification varies by brand
  • Regional fashion standards may differ from U.S. baseline
  • Individual proportions matter more than the height number alone

According to sizing standards, a petite size is a standard clothing size designed specifically for women 163 cm (5 ft 4 in) and under.

The average height of an American woman is roughly between 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) and 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m). — Wikipedia sizing definition

Related reading: 1.8 m in Feet

Additional sources

scribd.com, math.answers.com

This places 164 cm just above familiar benchmarks like 162 cm in feet162 cm in feet, ideal for petite clothing size comparisons.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

Is 5’3″ short for a girl?

5’3″ (160.02 cm) falls slightly below the U.S. average female height of 5’4″ to 5’5″, placing a woman at this height in the short-to-average range. In regions with shorter average female heights, such as many parts of Asia, 5’3″ may be closer to or even above average.

Is 162 cm 5’3″ or 5’4″?

162 cm equals exactly 5’3.78″ — which rounds to 5’4″ in most practical contexts. The exact conversion is 162.56 cm for 5’4″, so 162 cm falls just 0.56 cm short of that threshold, placing it closer to 5’4″ than to 5’3″.

How tall is a 164 cm person?

A person at 164 cm stands 5 feet 4.57 inches tall, or approximately 5’4.5″ in rounded medical terms. In the U.S., this height is at or slightly above average for women and notably shorter than average for men.

What height is petite?

In U.S. fashion, petite typically means 163 cm (5’4″) and under. However, petite sizing also accounts for proportions — shorter limbs, higher waist, narrower shoulders — not height alone. Some brands may use slightly different cutoffs.

Is height 5’4″ considered petite?

5’4″ (162.56 cm) sits right at or just below the common petite threshold of 163 cm. A woman at this height may find that regular-sized clothing works fine, or she may prefer petite sizing if she has proportionally shorter legs or a shorter torso.

What is 165 cm in feet?

165 cm equals 5 feet 4.96 inches, which rounds to 5’5″. In decimal form that’s 5.416 feet. This places 165 cm at the upper boundary of average female height in the U.S., and it exceeds the 163 cm petite threshold by 2 centimeters.

164 cm in feet ideal weight?

Ideal weight depends on multiple factors including age, bone density, muscle mass, and frame size — not height alone. For a general reference, a woman at 164 cm with an average frame typically falls in a healthy BMI range of approximately 53-64 kg (117-141 lbs), though this varies by individual. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

For anyone shopping for clothing online, the practical takeaway is straightforward: at 164 cm, you’re 1.44 cm above 5’4″ and 1.1 cm below 5’5″. Try both sizing categories when purchasing fitted garments, and don’t assume the petite label will — or won’t — fit better without checking the brand’s specific size chart.