How to Write Height in Feet and Inches (Correct Format with Examples)
Struggling to figure out the right way to note down your height? Getting the formatting wrong on official documents, passports, or medical forms can lead to frustrating delays and confusion. Fortunately, mastering the standard rules for writing height in feet and inches takes just a few minutes. You can ensure your measurements are always professional and accurate.
Quick Answer: What Is the Correct Way to Write Height?
The most standard and universally accepted way to write height is using the prime symbols: 5’7”. You can also use standard abbreviations like 5 ft 7 in. Avoid using decimals (like 5.7) when you specifically mean feet and inches, as this represents a completely different measurement mathematically.
Understanding Feet and Inches
To format height correctly, you must understand the standard shorthand notation for imperial measurements. This system is still heavily used for measuring average height across the United States.
What Does the Foot Symbol (’) Mean?
The single quote mark, or prime symbol (’), stands for feet. When you see 5’, it is read aloud as “five feet.”
What Does the Inch Symbol (”) Mean?
The double quote mark, or double prime symbol (”), represents inches. Writing 7” means “seven inches.” Together, 5’7” denotes a total height of five feet and seven inches.
Correct Ways to Write Height
Depending on the context, there are three acceptable ways to write someone’s height in the United States and the UK.
Using Symbols (5’7”)
This is the most common format. Place the single quote immediately after the feet number and the double quote directly after the inches. Do not put a space between the feet and inches: 5’7”.
Using Abbreviations (5 ft 7 in)
For formal writing or when symbols might cause confusion, use standard abbreviations. Add a space between the number and the abbreviation: 5 ft 7 in.
Writing Height in Words (5 Feet 7 Inches)
In formal literature or stylistic writing, spelling out the entire measurement is preferred. Write it as five feet seven inches or 5 feet 7 inches.
Pro Tip: When using the spelled-out version as a compound adjective before a noun, grammatical rules dictate that you must hyphenate it (e.g., a 5-foot-7-inch man).
Height Writing Examples
Getting the format right is easier when you see it applied to everyday heights and celebrity height comparisons.
Common Heights Written Correctly
- Correct: 6’0” (Six feet zero inches)
- Correct: 5’11” (Five feet eleven inches)
- Incorrect: 5’ 11” (Avoid the extra space)
Height Format Reference Table
| Spelled Out | Symbol Format | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| Five feet four inches | 5’4” | 5 ft 4 in |
| Six feet two inches | 6’2” | 6 ft 2 in |
| Five feet nine inches | 5’9” | 5 ft 9 in |
How to Write Height on Official Forms
Context dictates which formatting style you should use. Different institutions prefer different standards.
Medical Records
Medical professionals prioritize clarity. Most clinics and hospitals in the US use the standard symbol format (5’7”) or record the total height strictly in inches (e.g., 67 inches). Always double-check if the form asks specifically for metric units (cm) instead.
Passports and Government Documents
Government forms are strict. The US Department of State typically requires height in feet and inches using clearly marked fields where you just enter the raw numbers into boxes.
Job Applications
Unless specifically asked, you rarely need to include height on a standard resume. For acting, modeling, or athletics, use the concise symbol format (5’9”) for brevity.
School and Sports Forms
Athletic rosters almost exclusively use the symbol format without spaces. You will usually see a player listed as 6’3” on a basketball or football roster.
How to Write Height Online
Digital platforms favor quick, scannable information.
Social Media Profiles
On dating apps or personal social media bios, keep it short. The symbol format (5’8”) takes up fewer characters and is universally understood by English speakers.
Professional Profiles
If your height is relevant to your professional portfolio (like a casting network), write it out clearly using either symbols or the “ft/in” abbreviation.
Common Height Formatting Mistakes
Avoid these frequent errors to ensure your measurements are never misinterpreted.
Using Decimal Feet Incorrectly
Writing 5.7 does not mean 5 feet 7 inches. Mathematically, 5.7 feet equals 5 feet and 8.4 inches. If you mean feet and inches, stick to symbols or abbreviations.
Missing Foot or Inch Symbols
Writing “5 7” leaves too much room for error. Always include the correct prime and double prime marks to designate the exact units.
Incorrect Spacing and Punctuation
Do not use a comma or a period between feet and inches. 5’7” is correct; 5’, 7” is incorrect.
Mixing Metric and Imperial Units
Never mix systems in a single measurement. Writing “5 feet and 20 cm” is confusing and non-standard. Stick to one measurement system at a time as outlined by NIST standards.
Feet and Inches vs Metric Format
Knowing when to use the imperial system versus the metric system is crucial for international communication.
When to Use Feet and Inches
Use feet and inches primarily in the United States, the UK, and Canada for casual and personal measurements.
When to Use Centimeters
The rest of the world uses the metric system. If you are applying for an international visa or filling out medical forms abroad, you must use centimeters. You can easily calculate this metric value using our Feet to CM Calculator.
How to Convert Height to Feet and Inches
Sometimes you only have your height in a different unit and need to find the correct feet and inches format.
CM to Feet & Inches
To convert from metric, divide your height in cm by 30.48 to get feet. Then, multiply the remaining decimal by 12 to find the inches. Use our CM to Feet Calculator for instant results.
Inches to Feet & Inches
If you have your total height in inches, divide by 12. The whole number is your feet, and the remainder is your inches. A Feet to Inches Calculator simplifies this math.
Meters to Feet & Inches
Multiply your height in meters by 3.28084 to find the total decimal feet, then convert the decimal remainder to inches.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write height in feet and inches?
The most standard and concise way is using the prime symbols with no spaces: 5’7”.
Is it 5’7” or 5 ft 7 in?
Both are technically correct. Use 5’7” for casual or quick notation, and use 5 ft 7 in for formal writing or official documents.
Should there be spaces when writing height?
When using symbols (5’7”), do not use spaces. When using abbreviations (5 ft 7 in) or words, use spaces between the numbers and the text.
Can height be written as a decimal?
You should only use decimals if you are expressing the entire height in a single unit, such as 5.5 feet (which is 5’6”) or 67.5 inches.
How should height be written on official forms?
Follow the form’s specific instructions. If fields are not provided, use standard abbreviations like 5 ft 7 in for maximum clarity.
Use Our Height Conversion Tools
Still unsure about your exact measurements? Eliminate the guesswork and ensure your formatting is perfectly accurate every time. Try our comprehensive suite of Height Calculators to instantly translate your height between any unit system.