At 6 ft, President Biden is currently one of the tallest world leaders. But how does he stack up to other U.S. presidents?

The average height for presidents is roughly 5 foot, 11 inches, making Joe Biden taller than average.

Interestingly, the average height of U.S. males is currently 5 feet 9 inches, below the presidential average.

Keep in mind: the average height in the U.S. has also increased over time.

While height may seem irrelevant to political success, studies have shown that taller candidates have historically been more successful in presidential elections.

Does the extra confidence and self-esteem that comes with an imposing height also translate to a more successful presidency?

With that question in mind, InsideGov ranked the 10 shortest and tallest presidents in U.S. history. We’ll start with the most vertically challenged POTUS and work our way up to the tallest.

Key Takeaways: The Height of US Presidents

  1. James Madison: The shortest president at 5 feet 4 inches.
  2. Abraham Lincoln: The tallest founding father at 6 feet 4 inches.
  3. Height and Elections: Studies suggest taller candidates often have an advantage in presidential elections.
  4. Historical Context: Average heights have increased over time, affecting how we view past presidents’ stature.
  5. Cultural Perceptions: Height can influence public perception and confidence in leaders.

The Top 10 Shortest President in U.S. History

Let’s discover who was the shortest president in U.S.:

#10. William Henry Harrison

Height: 5 feet, 8 inches

Rounding out the 10 shortest presidents is William Henry Harrison, who tragically died in office after only one month.

#9. James K. Polk

Height: 5 feet, 8 inches

Polk was often called “Napoleon of the Stump” for his powerful speeches and fiery oratory. Like Napoleon, Polk was also relatively short.

#8. Zachary Taylor

Height: 5 feet, 8 inches

Previously an army general, Zachary Taylor would have been around average height for his time. However, he is still in the bottom 10 compared to other presidents.

#7. Ulysses S. Grant

Height: 5 feet, 8 inches

Grant may be one of the shortest presidents, but he was a formidable presence nonetheless on the battlefield and in the White House.

#6. John Quincy Adams

Height: 5 feet, 7.5 inches

John Quincy Adams barely edges out his father in terms of height by a mere half inch.

#5. John Adams

Height: 5 feet, 7 inches

Although Adams would be short by today’s standards, he was closer to average during the time of his presidency.

#4. William McKinley

Height: 5 feet, 7 inches

Widely considered to be a mediocre president, McKinley is often left in the shadow of his vice president and successor, Teddy Roosevelt.

#3. Martin Van Buren

Height: 5 feet, 6 inches

As an up-and-coming politician, Van Buren was nicknamed the “Little Magician” because of his short stature and smooth political dealings. As president, he earned the nickname “Martin Van Ruin,” which was less flattering.

#2. Benjamin Harrison

Height: 5 feet, 6 inches

Like his grandfather, Benjamin Harrison was one of the shortest U.S. presidents. He was also one of the most active campaigners, delivering 140 separate speeches over a thirty-day period.

#1. James Madison

Height: 5 feet, 4 inches

The Father of the Constitution was also the shortest president in U.S. history. What Madison lacked in height, he made up for in his immense contributions to the early U.S. government.

The Top 12 Tallest Presidents in U.S. History

Now that we’ve explored the short kings, let’s find out who was the tallest president:

#12. Barack Obama

Height: 6 feet, 1 inch

Barack Obama, standing at 6 feet and 1 inch, is not only one of the tallest U.S. presidents but also the first African American to hold the office, blending his notable physical stature with his significant historical impact.

#11. Ronald Reagan

Height: 6 feet, 1 inch

Reagan’s height likely contributed to his success as a movie star before his career in politics.

#10. Andrew Jackson

Height: 6 feet, 1 inch

A feared general and marksman, Jackson didn’t need his above-average height to be seen as an imposing figure.

#9. Bill Clinton

Height: 6 feet, 2 inches

Clinton ties with Bush Sr. for being the tallest living U.S. president.

#8. George H. W. Bush

Height: 6 feet, 2 inches

In terms of height, Bush Sr. falls between his two sons W. (6 feet) and Jeb (6 feet, 3 inches).

#7. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Height: 6 feet, 2 inches

Before succumbing to polio in 1921, FDR was active in sports, playing football in high school and rowing in college. He was also a full four inches taller than his older cousin Teddy Roosevelt.

#6. Chester A. Arthur

Height: 6 feet, 2 inches

Chester Arthur might be the most forgotten president in U.S. history, but he was also one of the tallest.

#5. George Washington

Height: 6 feet, 2 inches

Washington’s height is especially impressive given the time period. The first president was taller than all the other Founding Fathers, with one key exception.

#4. Thomas Jefferson

Height: 6 feet, 2.5 inches

Jefferson narrowly beats Washington in the height game. Historians estimate that he was roughly six inches taller than the average male of the day.

#3. Donald Trump

Height: 6 feet, 3 inches

Trump is not only one of the tallest U.S. presidents but is also known for his background as a businessman and television personality before entering politics, combining his commanding physical presence with a unique career trajectory.

#2. Lyndon B. Johnson

Height: 6 feet, 3.5 inches

LBJ’s large stature was complimented by a similarly big personality. The Texas-born president was sometimes referred to as “Bull Johnson.”

#1. Abraham Lincoln

Height: 6 feet, 4 inches

Lincoln didn’t need his top hat to appear tall. He was a naturally imposing figure, standing a full foot taller than the shortest president James Madison.

Impact of Height on Presidency

  • Confidence and Leadership: Taller presidents like Lincoln and LBJ were often perceived as more confident and authoritative.
  • Historical Trends: Over time, taller candidates have generally been more successful in presidential elections, reflecting societal biases.

Honorable Mentions of Short Presidents

  • James Madison: Despite his short stature, Madison was a key architect of the Constitution and a significant political figure.
  • John Adams: At 5 feet 7 inches, Adams played a crucial role in the founding of the United States.

Notable Tall Presidents

  • Thomas Jefferson: Standing at 6 feet 2.5 inches, Jefferson’s height matched his towering intellect and influence.
  • Donald Trump: At 6 feet 3 inches, Trump’s height contributed to his commanding presence in politics and media.

Wrapping Up

There you have it – the top shortest and tallest presidents in U.S. history.

While still debatable, there are specialists who correlate height with election success, but it hasn’t been confirmed yet.

What do you think?

Research U.S. Presidents on InsideGov

Read more: The Most Underrated and Overrated U.S. Presidents of All-Time