Growing up with a taller dad got me asking: Do taller people have bigger feet? Well, here’s my finding:
Evolution and physics dictate that a taller skeleton requires a bigger platform for support and balance. As a result, a majority of taller people have bigger feet to support their vast frame.
Of course, there are some exceptions, as we’ll see later.
I’ll answer the most typical questions about taller people and big feet right here. But first, let’s understand the evolutional relationship between your height and feet.
Afterward, we’ll see what physics has to say about the matter.
Do Taller People Have Bigger Feet? Evolution vs. Physics
Evolution Argument
Speaking matters evolution, skeletons are proportional size-wise. That means, if you have a more oversized frame, then your finger bones and foot bones are expected to be bigger.
For that reason, taller people usually have longer extremities. Simply put, they usually have bigger hands and feet.
Gender-wise, a large number of taller men tend to have bigger feet and hands than women.
Physics Standpoint
In physics, anything tall requires a broad and sturdy foundation, which applies to the human skeleton. So, a taller skeleton requires a huge platform (the feet) for support.
That clearly explains why so many taller people have big feet. The feet keep you upright, and the taller you are, the bigger the feet you require for stability.
Now that the evolutional relationship between foot size and height is clear and we’ve seen the physics standpoint, let’s answer these essential questions:
- What does having big feet mean?
- Do big feet mean you’ll be tall?
- Do big feet mean a child will be tall?
- Can you be tall but with small feet?
- What’s the advantage of being tall?
- Do I have bigger feet for my height?
Do Taller People Have Bigger Feet? FAQs
1. What Does Having Big Feet Mean?
You must be wondering, is there any advantage of having big feet? Well, there is.
For starters, bigger feet mean more athleticism. Larger feet often translate to stronger and powerful kicks. That is often the case in football, rugby, and other foot-related games.
And given that your feet are your source of balance and stability, big feet means more ground stability and support for your vast frame.
2. Do Big Feet Mean You’ll Be Tall?
Let’s look at it this way;
Physics and evolution dictate that a taller skeleton requires a huge platform. In simple terms, a taller frame calls for bigger feet and not vice versa.
Therefore, while tall guys have bigger feet, it doesn’t always mean that you’ll be tall just because your feet are big.
Besides, it reaches a point in one’s growth curve that the skeleton doesn’t grow anymore.
3. Do Big Feet Mean A Child Will Be Tall?
Smart guys apply the 6.6:1 formula (height: feet size) when determining if a child is taller or not and then using that to predict their future height.
What this formula means is that a child is 6.6 times taller than their foot size. If the foot size, for instance, is 10 inches, then the child is likelier to be 66 inches tall.
So, if a child shows progressive growth in height, the chances are that they’ll be taller when they grow. Generally, you can use this formula to determine the average foot size by height of your child.
4. Can You Be Tall But With Small Feet?
Though it’s not a common occurrence, yes, you can be tall but with small feet. For example, you may be two siblings of the same height but wearing different shoe sizes.
I know of two brothers who are just that, which means genes have everything to do with it. Even if you have the same blood group, the genes are different and play a role in determining your physical appearance.
Though most tall people have huge feet, it’s not a given because of genetics. But still, some cases have nothing to do with genetics. In some societies, tall feet, especially among women, are a big deal.
That’s because women with big feet are considered less attractive. That has seen some tall girls wrap their feet with bandages to deter them from growing.
The bottom line is that while some taller people have shorter feet because of their genetic makeup, for others, it’s their choice to be so. So, there’s no average height to foot size relationship.
Do Taller People Have Bigger Feet? More FAQs
5. What’s the Advantage of Being Tall?
Overall, being tall means having a faster metabolism. In Layman’s language, it means you get to eat more without necessarily becoming fat.
Being tall also means you don’t force yourself to wear heels (for ladies), which can be pretty uncomfortable. Since you have an elevated height, you can do well with platform shoes.
According to research, being tall can make you money.
Reasons?
A few inches can improve your opportunity of getting a new job, landing a promotion, or closing a good deal.
What’s more, you are likely to attract a mate when tall than short. But still, it doesn’t apply to everyone as some relationships are more about love, mutual respect, intelligence, and care than physical attributes.
Sadly, being tall doesn’t get you off the hook when it comes to a condition like cancer, which is more prevalent in taller individuals than shorter ones.
6. Do I Have Big Feet for My Height?
If you find it challenging to find a shoe that fits you because the ones available are smaller, the chances are that you have bigger feet. The same goes for when you don’t have so many people around you can borrow shoes from.
However, that is not always conclusive. Here’s a table for the average foot size by height you can use to gauge your foot size against your height.
Height (inches) | Shoe Size |
4’9”-5’3” | 5-8.5 |
5’4-5’7” | 6.5-10 |
5’8”-6’ or taller | 9-15 |
Related:
Do Taller People Have Bigger Feet? Bottom-line
So, do taller people have bigger feet? As discussed, evolution and physics indicate that they do.
But as I also shared, it’s not a guarantee as there are a few exceptions, mainly because of the genetic makeup difference.