Why Are Hurdle Heights Different for Men and Women in Track & Field?
Summary
Men’s sprint hurdles are run over 42-inch (106.7 cm) barriers, while women’s sprint hurdles are 33-inch (83.8 cm). These height differences aren’t random — they reflect the sport’s history, physiology, and an ongoing debate about fairness and tradition.
Heads up: some of the links below are affiliate links. Translation? If you buy through them, we get a small kickback to keep the lights on and the blocks set. Doesn’t cost you a cent more, just fuels more calculators, guides, and gear breakdowns for you. So, if you're down to support us and score some cool stuff, click away. Thanks for being awesome! Full disclosure here.
Standard Hurdle Heights
| Event | Men’s Height | Women’s Height |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint Hurdles (110m Men / 100m Women) | 42 in (106.7 cm) | 33 in (83.8 cm) |
| High School (USA) | 39 in (99.1 cm) | 33 in (83.8 cm) |
| 400m Hurdles | 36 in (91.4 cm) | 30 in (76.2 cm) |
| Youth/Junior Divisions | Varies — typically lowered by age group | Varies — typically lowered by age group |
Why the Difference Exists
Physiology
Men are, on average, taller with longer legs, which historically justified higher hurdles.
Lower hurdles for women were intended to reflect average stride mechanics and reduce injury risk.
Historical Tradition
Women’s hurdles entered the Olympics later (1932, 80m hurdles).
Heights were set conservatively at the time, and have only modestly changed since.
Event Distance Differences
Men: 110m hurdles.
Women: 100m hurdles (shorter distance, lower hurdles).
This split reflects historical bias more than necessity.
The Debate Today
Many argue women could run higher hurdles (e.g., 36 in / 91 cm).
Studies suggest elite women clear current hurdles with ease compared to men.
Proposals to raise heights have met resistance, as it would alter decades of records and training systems.
FAQs
Q1: Why do men run 110m while women run 100m?
It’s a legacy of when women’s events were added — a shorter distance was chosen, and it stuck.
Q2: Do the lower heights make women’s hurdles easier?
Not necessarily — women’s races still demand technical skill and speed. The rhythm is simply tuned differently.
Q3: Have hurdle heights ever changed?
Yes. Women once ran 80m hurdles at 30 in height before moving to today’s 100m hurdles at 33 in.
Q4: Could the rules change in the future?
Possibly — but it would disrupt record books and create controversy. Governing bodies tend to preserve tradition.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
Men’s sprint hurdles = 42 in, women’s = 33 in.
Differences are rooted in history and physiology, not just performance.
Debate continues about whether women’s hurdles should be raised for parity.
👉 Learn more in our Hurdle Spacing Article or explore our Sprint Training Guides for hurdle technique development.
New to track & field? Start with our Beginner’s Guide
