Why are we so obsessed with height?

A well-known 2006 essay on height, titled A Question of Stature, highlights how favoritism toward tall people is one of the most deep-rooted and socially accepted forms of prejudice. Numerous studies have shown that height can influence income – on average, taller people earn more. As early as the 1940s, research suggested that taller individuals tend to have better social skills and more self-confidence, likely due to greater emotional stability – a significant advantage in the workplace. Further confirmation comes from a 2015 study published in Economics & Human Biology, which found that, among workers, taller people generally report being more satisfied with their professional life than shorter individuals. These findings reflect a cultural system that places higher value on things that are “bigger,” according to a capitalist logic in which size becomes synonymous with power, strength, or prestige. However, this perception shifts when height exceeds certain “acceptable” limits, especially in the case of women. Excessive height in women is often perceived as a social anomaly, accompanied by stigma and daily discomfort, which can result in a painful and alienating experience.

Gender stereotypes also help reinforce the idea that tall men are seen as more manly, protective, and reliable, while shorter men are viewed as less attractive. These biases inevitably influence preferences in heterosexual relationships: many women prefer partners who are taller than them, while many men prefer shorter women, confirming an imbalance that is also reflected in how people present themselves online. On dating apps, for example, height is a central theme. On Tinder, it’s common to see men mentioning their height in their profiles (sometimes as the only detail), aware that for many users it is a decisive factor, especially in more casual dating contexts. Some women even clearly state the minimum height requirement they are looking for in a partner. This kind of pressure doesn’t only affect heterosexual dynamics. Even on apps frequented by gay men, such as Grindr, height can be a criterion for judgment – it’s no surprise, then, that it’s quite common for users to add a few extra centimeters to their profile. The phenomenon is so well-known that, for April Fool’s Day 2019, Tinder published a fake announcement about introducing a “height verification” feature to expose those who lied – it was a joke, but it still sparked widespread debate on the topic.

When it comes to height, one of the traits that intrigues the public the most is the exact height of celebrities. For decades, the height of famous people has been a topic of discussion – not only in gossip magazines but also on social media, in forums, or in comment sections on videos featuring them. Attention to celebrity height also impacts how people perceive their own bodies. As with weight, height becomes a benchmark for comparison against idealized standards. Since height is one of the few objective and easily measurable characteristics, knowing the exact height of certain celebrities allows the public to feel more represented – especially when they have insecurities related to their appearance. This curiosity has led to the rise of very active online communities, such as the one on CelebHeights, where users from around the world engage daily in discussions – and sometimes heated debates – about the actual height of actors, singers, and famous personalities. Behind the site is content creator Rob Paul, who began cataloging celebrity heights as a teenager. He now also has a YouTube channel where, among other things, he explains how to pose next to celebrities to compare respective heights. The trend is also spreading on social media, where particularly tall influencers create comparative reels, showing their height against well-known celebrities – and of course, Tom Cruise, whose height has been endlessly discussed online, is always featured.