When it comes to romance, height seems to play a bigger role than many people might think. A new study involving 536 participants from Canada, Cuba, Norway, and the United States revealed just how much people’s preferences for height influence attraction in both short-term and long-term relationships.

The researchers presented minimalist drawings of men and women of different heights and asked participants to choose their ideal partner’s height depending on the type of relationship they had in mind. The results showed clear and consistent patterns that cut across age groups, cultures, and personal backgrounds.

Men Prefer Slightly Shorter Women

On average, men preferred women who were about 2.5 centimeters shorter than the average female height in their own country. This preference wasn’t random—it reflected a subtle but widespread trend. Interestingly, the context of the relationship mattered. For long-term partnerships, men generally liked women who were just a little shorter, but they showed more flexibility about the exact difference.

In contrast, when it came to short-term relationships, men leaned toward women who were noticeably shorter. This could be influenced by cultural standards of femininity or even biological instincts tied to attraction and reproduction. Whatever the reason, the preference for shorter women appeared stronger when the relationship was temporary rather than long-lasting.

Women Consistently Prefer Taller Men

For women, the picture looked very different. Across all countries and age groups, women consistently preferred men who were taller. On average, women wanted their partners to be about 2.3 centimeters taller than the average male height in their region.

This trend has been observed in past studies as well, and many experts believe it has roots in evolutionary psychology. Historically, taller men were associated with strength, protection, and the ability to provide security—traits that were highly valued in long-term partners. Even today, these associations seem to shape women’s preferences regardless of whether they are looking for a short-term fling or a lifelong commitment.

The Phenomenon of Assortative Mating

The study also pointed to a fascinating concept known as assortative mating. This refers to the tendency of people to choose partners who share similar traits, such as height. Tall individuals often preferred tall partners, while shorter participants gravitated toward shorter partners.

This makes sense both biologically and socially. People of similar stature may feel more physically compatible or more comfortable together, reinforcing attraction. Cultural influences also play a role, as communities often celebrate couples who “match” in appearance or stature.

Cultural and Biological Factors at Play

While the results highlight some broad patterns, they also raise important questions about the influence of culture and biology. In some societies, physical stature carries more weight in shaping attraction than in others. Gender roles and cultural norms can influence whether being taller or shorter is seen as desirable.

From a biological perspective, these preferences may go back to survival instincts. In many species, size and strength are linked to protection and resource provision. These instincts may still influence human attraction, even if modern society has evolved beyond those survival needs.

The Study’s Limitations

Despite its interesting findings, the study has limitations. The participants were asked to choose based on drawings, not real people. In real-life situations, factors like personality, chemistry, shared values, and lifestyle often matter just as much—if not more—than physical height.

Moreover, personal experiences and societal influences also shape preferences. For example, exposure to media that glorifies certain body types or couple dynamics may shift how individuals view height differences in relationships.

More Than Just a Number

In the end, height preferences reflect a mix of biology, culture, and personal taste. For men, attraction to shorter women may connect to ideas of femininity and nurturing qualities, while women’s attraction to taller men may stem from historic associations with strength and safety.

But height is only one piece of the puzzle. While these preferences offer insight into human attraction, they are far from the only factors that determine compatibility. True connections often go beyond numbers, rooted instead in the unique chemistry, respect, and shared experiences between two people.