How To Write Height in Standard American English
Height is a physical attribute that describes the vertical measurement of an object or person from the base to the top. In Standard American English, height is typically expressed in feet and inches, using the abbreviation "ft" for feet and "in" for inches.
Writing Height in Feet and Inches
To write height in feet and inches, follow these steps:
- Measure the height accurately. Use a measuring tape or ruler to determine the height from the base of the object or person to the top of their head.
- Convert the measurement to feet and inches. Divide the total height in inches by 12 to get the number of feet. The remainder represents the number of inches.
- Write the height in the correct format. Use the abbreviation "ft" for feet and "in" for inches, with no spaces between the numbers and abbreviations. For example, a height of 5 feet 10 inches would be written as "5 ft 10 in".
Examples of Height Measurements
- 6 ft 2 in
- 5 ft 5 in
- 4 ft 11 in
- 3 ft 6 in
Alternative Formats
In some cases, it may be necessary to write height in an alternative format.
- Decimal feet: Decimal feet are useful for precise measurements. To convert feet and inches to decimal feet, divide the total height in inches by 12 and round the result to the nearest hundredth. For example, 5 ft 10 in is equivalent to 5.83 ft.
- Centimeters: The metric system uses centimeters (cm) to measure height. To convert feet and inches to centimeters, multiply the height in inches by 2.54. For example, 5 ft 10 in is equivalent to 178 cm.
When to Write Height
Height is typically written when describing a person’s physical appearance or when providing information for medical or legal purposes. It may be included in personal profiles, medical records, driver’s licenses, and immigration documents.
FAQ
Q: Can I use the abbreviation "ft" for feet and "in" for inches when writing height in other English-speaking countries?
- A: Yes, the abbreviations "ft" and "in" are commonly used in other English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. However, some countries, such as India, may use different abbreviations or measurement systems.
Q: How do I write height when the person is under 1 foot tall?
- A: For heights under 1 foot, write the height in inches only, using the abbreviation "in". For example, a height of 10 inches would be written as "10 in".
Q: How do I write height in a range?
- A: To write height in a range, use the abbreviation "ft" for feet and "in" for inches, followed by a hyphen (-) and the range of heights. For example, a height range of 5 feet 5 inches to 6 feet 2 inches would be written as "5 ft 5 in – 6 ft 2 in".
Q: Can I use other abbreviations for height, such as "h" or "ht"?
- A: While "h" or "ht" may sometimes be used informally, it is not considered standard written English. It is best to use the abbreviations "ft" and "in" when writing height in formal documents.
