Height conversions between metric and imperial units are among the most common searches online. Many people need to know what 1.63 meters is in feet and inches, whether for medical records, personal understanding, or comparing heights across countries. This article provides the exact conversion, explains how it fits into average height data, and clarifies the context behind frequently asked questions.
The measurement 1.63 meters appears often in height charts, growth records, and everyday conversation. It is a height that sits near the average for adult women in several countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. Understanding what this number means in feet and inches helps bridge the gap between metric and imperial systems.
How many feet and inches is 1.63 meters?
5 feet 4.173 inches
64.173 inches
163 cm
Average to slightly above average for women globally
Key insights
- 1.63 m is exactly 5 feet and 4.173 inches, commonly rounded to 5 feet 4 inches.
- This height is common among adult women in many countries, including the UK, US, and Australia.
- In medical records (NHS, CDC), height is often recorded in meters or centimetres; 1.63 m corresponds to 163 cm.
- ‘American height’ refers to the imperial system – 1.63 m is approximately 5’4”, a typical height for US women.
- The question “1.63 m height in feet for girl” reflects a desire to compare with average female height, which is around 5’4” in the US.
Conversion snapshot
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Meters | 1.63 |
| Feet | 5.35 ft (approx) |
| Feet and Inches | 5 ft 4.17 in |
| Inches | 64.17 in |
| Centimeters | 163 cm |
| Common Female Height | Yes – around average in many countries |
The conversion factor used is 1 meter = 3.28084 feet. Multiplying 1.63 by 3.28084 gives 5.3477 feet, then subtracting the whole feet (5) leaves 0.3477 feet, which multiplied by 12 yields 4.17 inches. This calculation is confirmed by multiple sources including Calculat.io, Symbolab, and RapidTables.
What is 1.63 meters in centimeters?
One meter equals 100 centimetres, so 1.63 meters is exactly 163 centimetres. This is a straightforward conversion that is often used in medical and educational settings. When people ask “163 cm in feet?”, the answer is the same as 1.63 m in feet: approximately 5 feet 4.17 inches.
163 cm in feet
The centimetre-to-feet conversion mirrors the meter conversion. Several height charts list 163 cm as 5 feet 4 inches. For example, feettometres.com shows a direct match, and the calculatorsite.com chart gives 162.56 cm (64 inches) for 5’4”, which closely aligns with 163 cm.
1.63 m equals 163 cm exactly. No rounding is needed because 1.63 × 100 = 163. This makes it easy to switch between meters and centimetres without error.
What does 1.63 meters mean for a girl’s height?
This height is frequently searched in relation to girls and women, because it falls near average female height in many populations. The context varies by country, age, and the specific growth percentile.
Height percentiles for girls and women
According to CDC 2020 anthropometric data, the average height of adult women in the United States is 1.62 m (5 feet 4 inches). A height of 1.63 m sits at approximately the 50th percentile for non-Hispanic white women aged 20 and older. For girls using CDC growth charts: at age 12, 1.63 m is around the 75th–85th percentile (above average); at age 14, it falls near the 50th–60th percentile; and by age 16+, it is at the 50th percentile, aligning with adult average trajectory.
In the UK, NHS growth charts (UK-WHO) show that 1.63 m is around the 50th percentile for girls aged about 13–14 years at final height stages. Exact percentiles depend on age and ethnicity.
American height comparison
The phrase “American height” refers to expressing height in feet and inches rather than metric. For 1.63 m, this is about 5’4”. In the US, this height is considered average for women. For men, it would be below average – the average male height in the US is about 5’9”.
Users searching this phrase likely want the imperial equivalent. It is not a different measurement – just a different unit system. 1.63 m becomes 5 feet 4 inches when rounded.
How is 1.63 meters used in medical or NHS contexts?
The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom uses metric measurements (meters and centimetres) as primary units for height in patient records, prescription dosages, and growth charts. However, NHS resources also provide Imperial conversions for patients who are more familiar with feet and inches, especially in paediatrics and historical records.
The official NHS height conversion chart published by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (2023) lists 1.63 m as approximately 5 feet 4 inches. This PDF is widely referenced in UK medical settings and is a trusted source for dual-unit conversion.
The NHS chart rounds to the nearest inch or quarter inch. For BMI calculations, exact metric values (1.63 m) should be used to avoid rounding errors. The conversion to feet and inches is for patient understanding, not clinical computation.
When did the NHS last update its height conversion chart?
The conversion chart from University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust was published in 2023. This is the most recent publicly available version. The chart includes both metric and imperial values for common heights, confirming 1.63 m as 5 feet 4 inches.
- 2023 – NHS (University Hospitals Sussex) publishes height conversion chart including 1.63 m.
- Ongoing – Global use of metric system continues while the US and UK still commonly use feet and inches for height in informal and medical settings.
What is certain and what remains unclear about this conversion?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| 1.63 meters equals exactly 5.35 feet (5 ft 4.173 in) by conversion factor 1 m = 3.28084 ft. | The phrase “1.63 m in american height” is ambiguous; it likely means height expressed in feet and inches (US customary), but some may interpret it differently. |
| 1.63 m = 163 cm exactly. | The query “163 m in height woman” is a probable typo – 163 m would be 535 ft, impossible for a human. The intended number is almost certainly 1.63 m. |
| Whether 1.63 m is “short” or “tall” depends on the reference population (e.g., average for women in different countries varies). |
Why do people search for this conversion?
The search volume for “1.63 m in feet” is driven by several real-world needs. Individuals often need to understand their own height or that of family members when interacting with imperial-based systems, such as US driver’s licenses, UK medical forms, or international height comparisons. The inclusion of modifiers like “for girl”, “NHS”, and “American height” shows that users want not just a raw number but also social or clinical relevance.
Bridging the metric and imperial systems is essential in a globalised world. Providing percentile data – for example, that 5’4” is near the 50th percentile for US women – adds value beyond a simple conversion. This article addresses those deeper questions by linking conversion accuracy to real-world height distribution.
What do authoritative sources say?
The CK-12 Foundation, an educational non-profit, states: “There are 5 feet and 4.173 inches in 1.63 meters.” This is derived from their interactive learning platform and aligns with the standard conversion.
“There are 5 feet and 4.173 inches in 1.63 meters.”
CK-12 Foundation – Flexi: 1.63 meters to feet and inches
The NHS height conversion chart (University Hospitals Sussex, 2023) provides another authoritative reference. It lists 1.63 m as approximately 5 feet 4¼ inches in its table, confirming the equivalence used in UK healthcare.
“1.63 m = 5 ft 4¼ in (approx) – from chart”
NHS Height Conversion Chart – University Hospitals Sussex (2023) – PDF
Key takeaways
Converting 1.63 meters to feet and inches gives 5 feet 4.17 inches, or about 5’4” when rounded. This height is average for women in the UK and US and sits near the 50th percentile for adult females in both countries. The conversion is used in medical records (NHS, CDC) and everyday life. For those who need to work with BMI or precise health calculations, the exact metric value (1.63 m) should be retained.
If you are comparing shoe sizes or clothing measurements, you might also find our guide on Size 12 in EU: UK Shoes & Clothing Conversion Guide helpful. For health-related height concerns, see What Does a Verruca Look Like? Pictures, Symptoms & ID Guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is 163 cm in feet?
163 cm is approximately 5 feet and 4.17 inches, exactly the same as 1.63 meters.
How do I convert 1.63 meters to inches manually?
Multiply 1.63 by 39.3701 to get 64.173 inches.
Is 1.63 m short for a man?
Yes, average male height is taller (e.g., 5’9” in the US). 1.63 m (5’4”) is below average for men.
What is ‘American height’ for 1.63 m?
It means 1.63 m expressed as feet and inches: 5 feet 4 inches (rounded).
Why do people search ‘1.63 m in feet NHS’?
The NHS uses height in meters in patient records; people want to understand their height in feet/inches for personal knowledge.
How tall is 1.63 m in inches only?
1.63 m equals 64.17 inches. Multiply by 39.3701 to get this value.
Is 1.63 m above average for a woman in the UK?
It is about average. UK adult women average ~1.62–1.64 m, so 1.63 m falls right in the middle.
Can I use 1.63 m for BMI calculation?
Yes. BMI is calculated with height in meters. 1.63 m is the correct input for metric BMI formulas.
Sophie Larkin is Music News Editor at PlaylisterUK.co.uk, covering artist announcements, releases, charts, labels, streaming platforms and the UK music industry.