What Guys Love & Find Attractive About Short Girls

Discover just what’s so attractive about a height difference

Co-authored by Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RD and Devin McSween

Last Updated: September 16, 2025 Fact Checked

You may have noticed that men tend to couple up with shorter women. Why is that? Believe it or not, there are actually many reasons why, and it all boils down to psychology and chemistry. We talked with relationship experts to explain why some guys are drawn to shorter girls. Keep scrolling to learn more!

Do men like short women?

Yes, men often like short women because the height difference helps them feel protective and manly, which boost their ego and confidence. Shorter guys also tend to like short girls because they’re similar in size and don’t feel intimidated. Cuddling and kissing can also be more comfortable with a height difference.

1

Short girls can make guys feel protective.

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While a short girl can definitely take care of herself, a guy might want to nurture and protect her because of her short stature. Some guys like being a girl’s knight in shining armor, and having a short girl to protect can help them feel that way. ^{[1]
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Research source}

Meet the wikiHow Experts

Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who uses her 25 years of holistic wellness experience to help those with struggling relationships.

Cher Gopman is a relationship coach who specializes in matchmaking and wingwoman services.

Suzanna Mathews is a dating and relationship coach with over a decade of experience helping couples deepen their connections.

2

They can make guys feel more manly.

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Feeling larger next to a short girl might boost a guy’s ego. Guys are attracted to girls for all sorts of reasons, and one might be that short girls make them feel good. A guy might notice that he feels more capable and powerful when he’s with a shorter girl because her smaller size makes him look more masculine. ^{[2]
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- While height has nothing to do with who you are on the inside, it can sometimes feel like it does. To feel more confident in yourself, licensed clinical psychologist Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RD, advises thinking about all the amazing, positive qualities you have. Then, come to accept that you can’t change your height and instead focus on all the things it lets you do. ^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RD
  Licensed Clinical Psychologist
  
  Expert Interview}

3

Short girls might make guys feel taller.

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Even if the guy is short, he’ll likely look larger next to a short girl. It’s no secret that height is something that some guys are conscious of. While height doesn’t matter when it comes to love, some guys might like the boost it gives them when they’re with a short girl. ^{[4]
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- If you’re concerned about attracting a girl if you’re short , know that your personality and confidence matter way more than a single measurement. When a girl likes who you are, she won’t care how tall you are, explains dating coach Cher Gopman. ^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Cher Gopman
  Dating Coach
  
  Expert Interview}

4

They can help guys feel important.

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Short girls often trigger a guy’s hero instinct , or drive to be needed. Like anyone in a relationship, guys want to feel appreciated and important in their partnership. There’s no denying that some things are easier for taller people, such as reaching things on high shelves, so short girls often ask taller guys for help. That feeling of being needed and appreciated is attractive to some guys, so they might seek out shorter girls to get it! ^{[6]
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5

They may appear to be cute and sweet.

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Some guys think that a short girl's size makes her adorable. While cuteness has nothing to do with height, it’s a common phenomenon to see something small, like a baby animal, and think it’s sweet and charming. ^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source
Science Direct
Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics
Go to source} For some guys, they feel warm and fuzzy when they see a short girl and are captivated by her cuteness. ^{[8]
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Research source}
- Of course, taller girls can be cute and adorable, while short girls can also be as glamorous as a runway model.
- At the end of the day, Gopman’s advice rings true: “Height doesn't really matter when you have that inner confidence and you're fun to be around and you're sure of yourself.” ^{[9]
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  Expert Source
  
  Cher Gopman
  Dating Coach
  
  Expert Interview}

6

Short girls can feel super approachable.

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Approaching and asking someone on a date can definitely be nerve-racking. So, some guys might like short girls because they think their size makes them easier to talk to. While height has nothing to do with personality, it can seem like it to some guys! ^{[10]
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7

Cuddling is often snug and comfortable.

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When hugging a shorter girl , a guy usually has to bend down and embrace her fully with his arms and body. This often gives him a protective feeling over her, which lots of guys love. Some guys also like the fact that they can wrap themselves around a short girl when they cuddle , making them feel cozy and secure. ^{[11]
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8

Kissing can be sweet and romantic.

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Some guys want to literally sweep a girl off her feet with a kiss. It isn’t just girls who want the romance of melting into their partner’s arms and kisses. Some guys might be drawn to short girls because they think they’ll get the perfect Hollywood kiss. They both have to meet in the middle, as he bends down and his girlfriend rises up on her tiptoes. Because she’s small, he might even pick her up! ^{[12]
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- There are lots of creative ways to kiss your partner if you have a height difference . If you’re the shorter one, stand on something taller, like a step or footstool, to even out your height. Or, to make it even easier, sit down on a sofa.

9

They want to experiment more in bed.

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When it comes to intimacy, height doesn’t matter—iit just matters that both you and your partner are having fun and growing closer together. For some guys, though, trying new things with a shorter girl might be extra fun. Due to their heights, they have to work together to find positions that work, which can be super thrilling. ^{[13]
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10

Short girls are still short when they wear heels.

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When it comes to dressing up and going out, heels often level the playing field between men and women. While tons of guys love that, some might like the fact that a shorter girl stays little, even when she’s rocking sky-high heels. ^{[14]
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11

Shorter guys can be drawn to shorter girls.

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Some guys like to be the same height as their girlfriend. For all the reasons that some guys like being taller than their girlfriend, others might like to be on a similar level. Being at a more even height might make it easier for shorter guys to hug and kiss their girlfriends, which is definitely a plus! ^{[15]
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- If you’re a shorter guy in the dating scene and are conscious about your height, it’s best to be honest about it, advises dating and relationship coach Suzanna Mathews. ^{[16]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Suzanna Mathews
  Dating & Relationship Coach
  
  Expert Interview} Use your energy to focus on traits that make you you , like your passion for rock climbing or your amazing cooking skills. Most women don’t care about your height but will be impressed by what you can bring to the table.
- Reader Poll: We asked 417 wikiHow readers if they’d be comfortable dating a girl who’s taller than them, and 56% of them said absolutely; height doesn’t matter. [Take Poll] It’s totally okay to date girls who are shorter than you, but if you like someone taller than you, go for it!

12

Short girls often seek out taller guys.

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It’s actually common for girls to go after guys larger than them. You might see lots of guys with shorter girls because they often like taller guys. In fact, almost half of women say they like dating men who are taller than they are. Dating is a two-way street, after all! ^{[17]
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Trustworthy Source
Science Direct
Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics
Go to source}
- However, that means there are a lot of women who don’t care about height or even seek out shorter guys. So, there’s someone for you out there, regardless of your height! As Dr. Tovar recommends, “Accept yourself as you are.” ^{[18]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RD
  Licensed Clinical Psychologist
  
  Expert Interview}

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Expert Source

Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

[4]

[5]

Cher Gopman
Dating Coach

[6]

[7]

Go to source

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

Suzanna Mathews
Dating & Relationship Coach

[17]

[18]

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What Guys Love & Find Attractive About Short Girls

Do men like short women?

Steps

Short girls can make guys feel protective.

They can make guys feel more manly.

Short girls might make guys feel taller.

They can help guys feel important.

They may appear to be cute and sweet.

Short girls can feel super approachable.

Cuddling is often snug and comfortable.

Kissing can be sweet and romantic.

They want to experiment more in bed.

Short girls are still short when they wear heels.

Shorter guys can be drawn to shorter girls.

Short girls often seek out taller guys.

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Tips

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