What Are the Heights Required for Print Modeling?

A career as a model is a job that many dream about, but often are not fit for. Many requirements are similar, however some agencies have their own requirements when it comes to weight, height and facial or body features. Many types of modeling overlap as fashion, print, commercial, runway, art and promotional. Print modeling is a combination of fashion modeling, such as in magazines, and commercial modeling such as for print advertisements.

When it comes to fashion modeling in print, the height requirements are strict and limited to being skinny and tall in order to fit sample sizes which usually run quite small. A study completed in 2002 revealed that, at the top editorial or print fashion agencies in Los Angeles and New York, 81percent of female print models in fashion were 5 feet 9 inches or taller, 15 percent were between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 9 inches and only 4 percent were below 5 feet 8 inches tall, according to New Models. However, there are exceptions such as when it comes to petite models. The preference for petite female models is usually 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, but always over 5 feet 5 inches. According to models.com, a model search site used by modeling agencies, the height requirements for editorial/fashion modeling for females falls between the 5' feet 8 inches and 6 feet range. San Diego Model Management states that the requirement for women in fashion print is between 5 feet 7 inches and 6 feet, although some agencies in New York and Los Angeles accept a height of 5 feet 6 inches.

Commercial print modeling has requirements which differ slightly from those of fashion print modeling. Many women who are not accepted as fashion print models may aim for commercial print modeling which accepts heights between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 11 inches, although the average female commercial print model is 5 feet 6 1/2 inches tall, according to New Models. At times, there may be a preference for petite female models who are usually 5 feet 7inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, but always over 5 feet 5 inches in commercial print modeling. Models.com lists the height requirements for women in commercial print as falling in the range between 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 11 inches.

When compared to women in print modeling, men have it much easier, since the average height of men is at or around 6 feet. According to New Models, the requirement for men in fashion print modeling is in the 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches range. Models.com includes 5 feet 9 inches as a minimum requirement for men, although 5 feet 11 inches is a preferred minimum height for fashion/editorial models. Note that these are general guidelines which may vary. San Diego Model Management states that men can be up to 6 feet 3 inches tall in order to meet print requirements.

For men, the height requirements for commercial print models do not differ much from the requirements for fashion print modeling. They fall in the 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet 2 inches range as stated by models.com. Height does matter in commercial print modeling as much as in fashion print modeling. According to New Models, male heights between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet 3 inches are accepted for commercial print modeling, but the average male height is 5 feet 11 1/2 inches tall.