Ever scrolled through an online furniture catalog, spotted something listed as “70 inches tall,” and tried to picture whether it’ll tower over your couch or fit perfectly in that awkward corner?
Here’s what you need to know: 70 inches equals exactly 5 feet 10 inches—roughly the height of an average adult male in the United States. Think of that person standing in line behind you at the coffee shop who’s just a touch under six feet tall.
Quick Answer: Breaking Down the Numbers
70 inches = 5 feet 10 inches
In metric: 177.8 centimeters (1.78 meters)
| Unit | Measurement |
| Feet + Inches | 5 feet 10 inches |
| Centimeters | 177.8 cm |
| Meters | 1.78 m |
| Millimeters | 1,778 mm |
12 Everyday Things at This Height
1. Standard Refrigerator
Walk into almost any kitchen and you’ll find a full-size refrigerator standing at this exact measurement. The cabinet height—the part that actually stores your food—hits the 5-foot-10-inch mark perfectly.
This isn’t random. It fits comfortably under most kitchen cabinets while giving you enough vertical storage for everything from gallon milk jugs on the bottom shelf to condiments up top. Most people can reach the top shelf without needing a step stool, which is exactly why manufacturers settled on this size decades ago.
Practical tip: Before buying a new fridge, measure your ceiling height and cabinet clearance—you’ll need at least 1-2 inches of breathing room for ventilation and door swing.
2. 70-Inch Television
That massive flat screen you’ve been eyeing at the electronics store gets measured diagonally from corner to corner. Here’s what trips people up: the screen itself is only about 34 inches from top to bottom and 61 inches wide.
The diagonal measurement gives you the true viewing area, which is why it’s the industry standard. If you’re wondering whether one will fit your entertainment center, measure diagonally across your current screen to compare.
Standing back about 9 to 12 feet gives you the best viewing experience without straining your eyes. These TVs weigh between 50-75 pounds depending on the model, so you’ll need a wall mount rated for at least 100 pounds and two people for installation.
3. Shower Curtain
Most bathrooms use a square curtain that measures 70 by 70 inches—it’s basically the default size at every home goods store. This works because it covers the typical bathtub opening (60 inches wide) with extra fabric on each side to prevent water from escaping.
The length drops low enough to keep water inside your tub while you shower, but doesn’t drag on the floor. When you’re buying a new one, you’ll notice almost every option comes in this size unless you have an unusually large walk-in shower.
Practical tip: If your curtain keeps billowing inward during showers, add magnetic hem weights or suction cups along the bottom edge.
4. Standing Coat Rack
That freestanding rack by your front door stands right around 5 feet 10 inches. Designers make them tall enough for long coats and scarves to hang without touching the floor, but not so tall that you’re struggling to reach the top hooks.
The top hooks sit just above head level for most people, making it easy to grab your jacket on the way out. You’ll find these in entryways, offices, and coffee shops—always hovering around this sweet spot.
Practical tip: Look for coat racks with weighted bases (at least 15 pounds) to prevent tipping when you load them with heavy winter coats.
Read Also: How Tall is 72 Inches? 11 Common Things That Are 72 Inches Tall
5. Five-Shelf Bookshelf
A 5-shelf bookshelf almost always comes in at this measurement, give or take an inch. Brands like IKEA and Target sell these vertical storage units at exactly this size because it maximizes storage without requiring a ladder to reach the top shelf.
Each shelf sits about 14 inches apart, which is enough space for hardcover books, binders, or small decorative baskets. Home offices and living rooms love this size because it fills a wall nicely without overwhelming a room or making the ceiling feel too low.
Practical tip: Anchor tall bookshelves to the wall using L-brackets or anti-tip straps—once loaded with books, they become top-heavy and can pose a tipping hazard, especially with kids around.
6. Floor Mirror
Full-length floor mirrors, especially those trendy leaning mirrors you see all over Instagram, are almost always manufactured at this measurement. A mirror at this size lets you see your entire outfit from head to toe without having to step back across the room.
It shows everything—from your hairstyle down to your shoes—in one glance before you head out the door. Most people prop these against a bedroom or hallway wall, and they’re tall enough for even six-footers to check themselves out.
Practical tip: Position your floor mirror across from a window to maximize natural light reflection, but avoid direct sunlight that can create harsh glare during certain times of day.
7. Garden Rake
Many modern garden rakes, especially adjustable leaf rakes, extend to this length when you pull the handle to its full size. This design means you can rake leaves, spread mulch, or clear debris without bending over and wrecking your back after 20 minutes.
The ergonomic garden tools movement pushed manufacturers to make longer handles because nobody wants to feel like they aged 30 years after raking the lawn. These also give you better reach when you’re pulling leaves out from under bushes or getting into tight garden spots.
Practical tip: Store long-handled tools vertically using wall-mounted clips in your garage or shed to save floor space and prevent warping from leaning.
8. Privacy Screen
A 3-panel room divider almost always stands around this height—just tall enough to create actual privacy without blocking airflow near the ceiling. This works perfectly for splitting up a studio apartment, creating a changing area, or hiding a messy corner from guests.
The measurement means it reaches above most people’s heads when they’re sitting down, giving you real separation between spaces. You’ll see these privacy screens in bedrooms, home offices, dorm rooms, and even yoga studios where people want flexible space division.
Practical tip: Choose fabric or woven screens for sound absorption in open-plan spaces, or mirrored panels to double your room’s visual square footage.
9. Vending Machine
Most vending machines you see in office buildings, schools, and hotel lobbies stand right around this measurement. This size fits through doorways (which are usually 80 inches) while maximizing the number of product rows they can stack inside.
The balance between storage capacity and the ability to actually move and install the machine has kept this size consistent for decades. When you’re standing next to one buying your afternoon snack, notice how the top row is usually just above your eye level if you’re average height.
Read Also: How Tall Is 65 Inches? 9 Real Things That Show You Exactly What It Looks Like
10. Tall Indoor Plant
Large artificial plants, especially those trendy Fiddle Leaf Fig trees you see in every design magazine, are commonly sold at this exact size. These work as statement pieces in corners, next to sofas, or flanking a fireplace because they fill vertical space without taking up much floor area.
They draw your eye upward, making rooms with 8-foot ceilings feel taller and more open. Real fiddle leaf figs can grow much taller outdoors, but the commercial indoor versions are usually trimmed and sold at 5’10” for easy shipping and home placement.
Practical tip: Use pot stands or elevated planters to adjust height for perfect visual balance—raising a 60-inch plant by 10 inches puts it at this sweet spot.
11. Target Recurve Bow
In the world of archery, this is the most common length for a full-size adult competition bow, specifically the target recurve bow used in Olympic-style shooting. This measurement gives archers the perfect balance between power, accuracy, and control when shooting at targets.
The archery community settled on this because it works for most adult body types and provides a smooth draw without being too unwieldy. When you see athletes at the Olympics pulling back those elegant curved bows, you’re looking at competition equipment that’s almost always right at the 5-foot-10-inch mark.
Practical tip: Bow length should match your draw length—if your arm span exceeds 70 inches, you might need a 72-inch bow for proper biomechanics and accuracy.
12. Bass Fishing Rod
A bass fishing rod at this length is the specific standard for topwater fishing and jerkbait fishing techniques where precision matters more than casting distance. This gives you quick, snappy control when you’re twitching lures across the surface or working them through lily pads and underwater structure.
The accuracy at this length is perfect for making short, precise casts to specific spots—like that shady area under a dock where a big bass is definitely hiding. Professional anglers choose this size for topwater fishing because it’s short enough to make fast jerking motions without tiring out your wrists after an hour.
Practical tip: Match rod length to your fishing environment—70-inch rods excel in tight quarters with overhead cover, while longer rods work better for open-water casting from the bank.
How to Picture It Without a Measuring Tape
Can’t find your tape measure but need to visualize this right now?
Use yourself as a guide: If you’re between 5’8″ and 6 feet tall, you’re really close to the measurement. Stand against a wall and picture where your head hits.
Look at your doorway: Most doorways are 80 inches, so picture something about 10 inches shorter than your door frame—roughly from the floor to about forehead height.
Paper stack trick: A piece of printer paper is 11 inches long. Lay out about 6 and a half sheets end to end on the floor.
The fridge check: Walk over to your kitchen and look at your refrigerator—that’s your reference standing right there.
Credit card method: A standard credit card measures 3.375 inches. Stack 21 cards vertically to reach this height.
Soda can tower: Standard soda cans are roughly 4.83 inches tall. Stack about 14 and a half cans to reach 70 inches.
Real-World Uses You Actually Encounter
At Home: Your bookshelf, refrigerator, and full-length mirror all live in this range. Room dividers, tall indoor plants, and some standing lamps hover around this size because it’s the sweet spot for furniture that needs to be functional without overwhelming a space.
In Sports: Competition archery equipment is standardized at this length for adult shooters. Bass anglers use rods at this measurement for techniques that need accuracy over distance.
In Public Spaces: Vending machines at your office or the airport stick to this size. Display racks, standing signs, and decorative coat racks in stores follow the same pattern.
Questions People Actually Ask
How many feet is 70 inches?
Exactly 5 feet and 10 inches. Divide 70 by 12 (inches in a foot) and you get 5.83 feet, which breaks down to 5 full feet plus 10 remaining inches.
What is 70 inches in centimeters?
177.8 centimeters. Multiply 70 by 2.54 (one inch equals 2.54 cm) and you land at 177.8 cm—just under 1.8 meters.
Is 70 inches tall for a person?
For a male, 5’10” is right around average in the United States. For a female, this would be quite tall, since the average woman is closer to 5’4″.
What household item matches 70 inches exactly?
Your full-size kitchen refrigerator is the most common item at this exact measurement. Others include 5-shelf bookshelves, full-length floor mirrors, and shower curtains.
How do I measure 70 inches without a tape measure?
Use your own height if you’re close to 5’10″—just lie down or stand against the wall. Stack about 6 and a half sheets of paper (11 inches each), or roughly 14-15 soda cans (about 4.8 inches each).
Is 70 inches close to 6 feet?
Pretty close, but not quite—you’re 2 inches short of 6 feet (72 inches). People definitely notice the difference between 5’10” and an even 6 feet.
What is 70 inches in meters?
About 1.78 meters. To convert, divide inches by 39.37 or multiply by 0.0254 for precision.
How big is a 70-inch TV really?
A 70-inch TV is measured diagonally from corner to corner, but the actual screen height is only about 34 inches. The width is around 61 inches, which is where most of that diagonal measurement goes.
Why This Measurement Matters in Daily Life
Once you start seeing 70 inches as 5 feet 10 inches—or roughly the height of an average adult—these measurements stop feeling abstract. Next time you’re online shopping and see this in a product description, you’ll know exactly what’s about to show up at your door.
Look around your home right now—chances are you’re within arm’s reach of something at this exact size. Whether you’re measuring for a furniture purchase, comparing fishing rods, or just trying to picture how tall something is from an online listing, having this mental anchor makes decisions easier.
You already have the perfect reference tool—yourself, your doorway, or that refrigerator you pass twenty times a day.
I am the editor and author of StoriesRadius.com, a blog about measurements and dimensions. I enjoy turning numbers and sizes into simple stories that anyone can understand. From everyday objects to curious facts, I share clear guides based on real research and experience. My goal is to make learning about length, height, and size fun, useful, and easy for all readers.
