What’s the difference between high and tall?

high

You use high to describe things which measure a larger distance than usual from the bottom to the top. For example, you talk about a high hill or a high fence.

…the high mountains of northern Japan.

…the high walls of the prison.

High also means that something is a long way above the ground. For example, you talk about a high window or a high shelf.

It was a large room with a high ceiling.

tall

You use tall to describe things which are higher than usual, but which are also much higher than they are wide. So, for example, you talk about a tall tree or a tall chimney.

Insects buzzed in the tall grass.

We saw several birds, including a tall heron standing on one leg.

You always use tall when you are talking about people.

Andreas was a tall handsome man.

She was a young woman, fairly tall and slim.