Online dating has become a norm for singles.
Image: Flure Bunny / Unsplash
Dating apps have become the go-to way for finding love in today’s digital world, with millions of singles swiping left or right in search of their ideal match.
With filters based on age, distance, interests, and religion, users can already tailor their search to align with their personal preferences.
Now, some apps are taking it even further.
Tinder is currently testing a height filter, which allows users to specify exactly how tall they want their potential partners to be.
While this may seem like just another customisation option, it raises questions about how much physical preferences should factor into online dating.
Reality TV shows like “Love Is Blind” have shown that many women, in particular, are drawn to men who are taller than they are.
In some cases, emotional connections formed through conversation fall apart when the physical reveal doesn’t meet expectations, especially if the man is shorter than anticipated.
To some, this might feel like a shallow reason to dismiss a potential partner.
After all, height has nothing to do with compatibility, values, or personality.
But with a height filter, rejecting someone based on stature can now happen without ever giving them a chance.
A man's height doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker.
Image: Freepik
While it's understandable that everyone has personal preferences, using a filter like this could mean missing out on meaningful connections over something as superficial as height.
As of now, this feature is still in testing.
According to a report by the BBC, Tinder is trialing the height filter in limited parts of the world, excluding the UK, and it’s only available to users subscribed to the app’s top two premium tiers.
Tinder has not disclosed to the BBC which countries are part of the test.
Importantly, the filter doesn’t block users outright.
Instead, it informs the app’s matching algorithm based on a user’s stated preferences.
In a statement to the BBC, Tinder said the feature is part of a broader effort to help people connect more intentionally and that the company is "building with urgency, clarity, and focus."
A spokesperson added, “Not every test becomes a permanent feature, but every test helps us learn how we can deliver smarter, more relevant experiences and push the category forward.”
While the cultural norm has long favoured taller men and shorter women, some couples challenge that stereotype and thrive while doing so.
Take Tom Holland and Zendaya, for example.
Zendaya often stands taller than her fiancé, especially in heels, yet the couple exudes confidence and mutual admiration, effortlessly defying public expectations.
Another high-profile pair, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, also challenge the height standard.
Though their height difference is subtle, it’s more noticeable during red carpet appearances.
Nonetheless, they've been happily married since 2006.
Kidman was also previously married to Tom Cruise, who is shorter than she is.
Tom Holland and Zendaya.
Image: Bang Showbiz
These celebrity couples serve as a reminder that when it comes to love, height doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker.
In the end, true connection is about more than a couple of centimeters, it’s about compatibility, shared values, and mutual respect.