You're Taller in the Morning (But Just a Little Bit)

Here’s a fun body fact you’ve probably never noticed: you’re taller in the morning than at night.

It’s true—when you roll out of bed in the morning, you’re about 1 centimeter taller than when you went to sleep. No, it’s not a growth spurt while you dream. It’s a clever little trick your spine plays every single day.

The Science of Shrinking (and Stretching)

Your spine isn’t a solid, rigid rod. It is made up of 33 vertebrae, and between most of them are soft, gel-like cushions called intervertebral discs. These discs act like shock absorbers—supporting your movements and keeping your back flexible.

When you lie down to sleep, your spine finally gets a break from gravity. With the weight off your joints, your spinal discs gently reabsorb fluid and expand, a bit like a sponge soaking up water.

But as soon as you get up and go about your day—standing, sitting, walking, running—gravity kicks back in, your discs slowly compress under your body weight, and by evening, you’ve “shrunk” ever so slightly.

So... How Much Taller Are We Talking?

On average, people can be 0.5 to 2.5 centimeters taller in the morning, depending on age, body size, and posture habits. It's not enough to change your jeans size—but technically, it does make your morning mirror selfie a little more elevated.

Over time, as we age, our discs lose some of their ability to rehydrate and bounce back, which is part of why people often get shorter later in life.

Does This Mean I Should Measure Myself in the Morning?

If you’re keeping track of your height, morning is your moment—especially for sports, medical records, or just fun fact-bragging rights.

Some athletes even get measured in the morning to make weight or height requirements. But don’t worry—by bedtime, you're still you, just a slightly more compact version.

Fun Fact: Astronauts get taller in space too—without gravity compressing their spine, they can stretch up to 5 cm taller while in orbit!