no higher than

USAGE SUMMARY

"no higher than" is correct and usable in written English.
It means not as great or tall as something else. For example, "The maximum height of the wall is no higher than ten feet".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

For men it should be no higher than 0.90, and for women no higher than 0.83.

The New York Times

Miniature scrub oaks grew no higher than eight feet.

The New York Times - Arts

Prices are no higher than available on the high street.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It climbed no higher than 80 on the charts.

The Guardian

The scoreboard measured his fastball no higher than 89 m.p.h.

The New York Times - Sports

Most other voters listed Savannah State no higher than 10th.

The New York Times - Sports

scores are no higher than those of extroverts.

The New York Times

Mr. Long, who rose no higher than lance corporal in the Marines, now calls himself Colonel.

The New York Times

In summer, when outdoor temperatures reached 29C, the naked house's temperature went no higher than 24C.

The Guardian

But Cameron may struggle to keep the budget increase no higher than 2.91%.

The Guardian

A single elevator can climb no higher than seventeen hundred feet.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting limits, be precise with your upper boundary using "no higher than". Ambiguity can lead to misinterpretations.

Common error

Ensure you're not accidentally using "no higher than" when you mean to indicate a minimum value. For example, "The temperature should be no lower than 20 degrees" sets a floor, whereas "no higher than" sets a ceiling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no higher than" functions as a limiting modifier, specifying an upper boundary or maximum extent. It's used to indicate that something should not exceed a particular level, amount, or degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

22%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "no higher than" is a versatile expression used to define an upper limit or maximum value across diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science", its neutral register allows for usage in both formal and informal settings. When employing "no higher than", clarity is crucial to prevent misinterpretations. Alternatives like "not exceeding" or "up to" can be considered to enhance contextual relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no more than

Similar to "no higher than", but can also apply to quantities or amounts, not just height.

not exceeding

Emphasizes a limit that should not be surpassed, focusing on the act of exceeding a boundary.

up to

Highlights the maximum possible value or extent, with an emphasis on reaching that point.

not surpassing

Stresses the act of going beyond a certain level or limit, with a formal tone.

capped at

Implies a deliberate restriction or ceiling, often used in financial or regulatory contexts.

peaking at

Indicates a maximum value reached briefly or temporarily, focusing on the highest point.

at most

Conveys a maximum quantity or degree, leaving open the possibility of a lower value.

maximum of

Directly specifies the highest allowable quantity or value, emphasizing the upper limit.

not greater than

A more formal way of expressing a maximum limit, suitable for technical or legal contexts.

limited to

Suggests a restriction or constraint on a quantity or value, highlighting the imposed limitation.

FAQs

How can I use "no higher than" in a sentence?

Use "no higher than" to specify an upper limit or maximum value, for instance, "The stack of books should be "no higher than" one foot".

What's a simple way to rephrase "no higher than"?

You can replace "no higher than" with phrases like "not exceeding" or "up to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "not higher than" instead of "no higher than"?

While "not higher than" is grammatically understandable, ""no higher than"" is the more common and idiomatic expression.

When would I use "no more than" instead of "no higher than"?

"No more than" is more general and can refer to quantities or amounts. "No higher than" specifically refers to height or a hierarchical level.