The most common and accurate way to know your height is to measure it yourself at home using a simple method involving a wall, a flat object, and a measuring tape or ruler.
Measuring your height accurately at home requires a few simple tools and steps. This method is often used when you can't visit a doctor's office or clinic for a professional measurement.
Simple Steps to Measure Your Height
Here's a straightforward guide to finding out how tall you are:
- Find a Flat Surface: Stand barefoot on a hard, flat floor with your back against a wall. Ensure the wall is flat and has no baseboards or molding that could interfere with the measurement.
- Position Correctly: Stand up straight, keeping your legs together and your shoulders back. Ensure your heels are touching the wall. Look straight ahead, keeping your head level.
- Use a Flat Object: Place a flat object, like a hardcover book or a ruler, on top of your head so it is level and perpendicular to the wall, forming a right angle.
- Make Your Mark: While keeping the flat object in place and your head still, have someone make a light pencil mark on the wall right at the bottom edge of the object. If you're alone, you might need to carefully hold the object in place and step away just enough to make the mark.
- Measure the Distance: Use a measuring tape or ruler to measure the distance from the floor up to the mark you made on the wall. Make sure the tape measure is held straight against the wall. The measurement in feet/inches or meters/centimeters is your height.
What if Your Tape Measure is Too Short?
Sometimes, a standard tape measure might not be long enough to reach all the way from the floor to your mark on the wall. Don't worry, you can still get an accurate measurement using a technique mentioned in the reference:
- If your tape measure ends before it touches the floor, measure down from your height mark as far as your tape measure goes.
- Mark where it ends on the wall.
- Replace the zero point of your tape measure at this new mark and continue measuring down the remaining distance to the floor.
- Add the two measurements together to get your total height.
Tips for Accuracy
- Measure yourself at the same time of day, as height can slightly fluctuate throughout the day (you might be slightly taller in the morning).
- Ensure you are standing completely straight and not slouching.
- Have someone help you if possible, as it can lead to a more accurate measurement.
- Use a reliable measuring tape that is clearly marked.
Following these steps will help you determine your height accurately at home.
