height

Height is a measurement of vertical extent, defined as the distance from a defined base to a top. In everyday use it refers to the stature of a person or the vertical dimension of an object. In geometry, height (often called altitude) is the perpendicular distance from a base line to the opposite vertex, a quantity used in formulas such as the area of a triangle (area = 1/2 × base × height).

Human height, or stature, is measured with the person standing erect using a stadiometer or a wall-mounted ruler. Heights are typically recorded in meters and centimeters, or in feet and inches. Growth occurs mainly in childhood and adolescence and usually stops in late teens or early adulthood when growth plates close. Height varies due to genetics, nutrition, health, and environment, producing substantial differences across populations and between individuals; men are generally taller than women in many populations.

Height data are used in growth monitoring, nutrition assessment, anthropometry, and planning. Height is combined with weight to calculate BMI. In geography, height can mean elevation above sea level, or altitude, important for climate, aviation, and mapping. In engineering, the height of structures affects design, clearance, and stability.

For measurement accuracy, height should be measured with proper posture, feet flat, heels together, and head in a consistent reference plane. Recumbent height may be used for individuals unable to stand. Height is a fundamental dimension across biology, geometry, and applied sciences, informing health, design, and geographic description.