How Tall Is Joe Biden?
Quick Answer
Joe Biden's Height
📏 5'11" (180 cm) current estimate
📋 Claims / medical exam: 5'11.5" (181 cm)
📋 Peak height (younger): ~6'0" (183 cm)
⚖️ Weight: ~178 lbs (81 kg)
🎂 Born: November 20, 1942, Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA
🌍 Nationality: American
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Joe Biden's Real Height Explained
Joe Biden currently stands at approximately 5'11" (180 cm), according to CelebHeights{rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"}. Presidential medical examinations during his time in office listed him at 5'11.5" (181 cm), and most sources place him in the 5'11" to 6'0" range. What makes Biden's height story particularly interesting is that he hasn't always been this height — he's lost measurable stature over the decades.
In his younger years, Biden was reportedly 6'0" (183 cm){rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"}, a height consistent with photos from his early Senate career when he was first elected to represent Delaware in 1972 at just 29 years old. Now in his 80s, Biden has experienced the kind of height loss that is entirely normal for someone of his age. Medical science tells us that most people lose between 1 and 3 inches of height as they age, primarily due to compression of the spinal discs, changes in posture, and a gradual loss of bone density.
At 5'11", Biden still stands 2 inches above the average American man's height of 5'9". He's comfortably taller than most people in a room, even if he's no longer the solid 6-footer he was when he first entered national politics over five decades ago.
The Height Debate: A Story of Aging
Biden's height isn't controversial in the traditional sense — no one disputes he was once around 6'0" and is now closer to 5'11". What makes it noteworthy is that it provides a textbook case of age-related height loss in a highly visible public figure.
During his eight years as Vice President alongside Barack Obama (6'1"), the height difference between the two was consistently visible in photos and public appearances. Obama, roughly 15 years younger than Biden, appeared about 1-2 inches taller throughout their time together. By the time Biden assumed the presidency in 2021 at age 78 — the oldest person ever inaugurated — the gap appeared to have widened slightly, suggesting Biden continued to lose small increments of height.
Biden's presidential medical exams offered a more precise figure of 5'11.5", splitting the difference between his earlier 6'0" and the CelebHeights estimate of 5'11". This half-inch uncertainty is typical and may reflect normal variation in height throughout the day — most people are slightly taller in the morning than in the evening due to spinal compression from the day's activities.
The age-related nature of Biden's height change has resonated with the public in part because his age was a defining topic of his presidency. Being the oldest-ever sitting president, every physical detail was scrutinized, and his height reduction became one more visible marker of the aging process.
Joe Biden's Height Compared to Other Celebrities
Table: Biden vs Fellow Presidents and Public Figures
| Celebrity | Height | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Biden | 5'11" (180 cm) | — |
| Barack Obama | 6'1" (185 cm) | +2 inches |
| Donald Trump | 6'0.5" (184 cm) est. | +1.5 inches |
| Elon Musk | 6'1" (185 cm) | +2 inches |
| Bill Gates | 5'9.5" (177 cm) | -1.5 inches |
| Brad Pitt | 5'10.5" (179 cm) | -0.5 inches |
→ See Joe Biden vs Barack Obama side by side → See Joe Biden vs Donald Trump side by side
Notable Height Differences
The Biden–Obama dynamic was one of the most photographed political partnerships in American history, and the height difference was always visible. Obama at 6'1" had a consistent 2-inch edge over Biden, which appeared in thousands of photos over eight years. As Biden aged from his mid-60s to mid-70s during the Obama administration, the gap may have subtly increased.
Against Donald Trump, Biden's height becomes part of a larger political height debate. Trump claims 6'3" (191 cm), which would put him 4 inches taller than Biden. However, at the June 2024 presidential debate, when the two stood near each other on stage, the height gap appeared much smaller than 4 inches — more like 1-2 inches. This observation is consistent with CelebHeights' estimate of Trump at 6'0.5" rather than his claimed 6'3".
Biden shares a similar height range with several major celebrities. He's about the same height as Brad Pitt (5'10.5"), half an inch taller than Arnold Schwarzenegger's current height estimate, and 1.5 inches taller than Bill Gates (5'9.5").
How Tall Is Joe Biden Compared to You?
Wondering how you'd look standing next to Joe Biden? Our free height comparison tool lets you enter your own height and see a visual side-by-side comparison. You can even share your result — imagine posting "I'm the same height as a president!" on social media.
→ Compare Your Height to Joe Biden — Try It Free
Joe Biden: Height in Context
Biden's height story is, in many ways, a universal story. Virtually everyone who lives long enough will experience some degree of height loss. Medical research indicates that people begin to lose height gradually starting in their 40s, with the rate accelerating after age 70. For someone who has lived to 82, losing about an inch — from 6'0" to 5'11" — is well within the normal range. Some studies suggest the average person loses about 1 to 1.5 inches by age 70 and up to 2 to 3 inches by age 80.
The 46th President of the United States served a single term from 2021 to 2025, having previously served as Vice President under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017 and as a U.S. Senator from Delaware for 36 years before that. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden overcame a childhood stutter and endured devastating personal tragedy — losing his first wife and infant daughter in a 1972 car accident — to build one of the longest careers in American political history.
At 5'11" and 178 lbs, Biden carried a moderate build throughout his presidency. He was notably slimmer than Donald Trump (approximately 244 lbs) despite being only slightly shorter. His frame was athletic in his younger years — he played football in college — and he maintained a relatively active lifestyle into his presidency, regularly riding a Peloton bike.
Biden's height places him in the interesting category of presidents who were tall but not notably so. At his peak height of 6'0", he was slightly above average for modern presidents. At his current 5'11", he's right at the line. Presidents like Obama (6'1"), Bill Clinton (approximately 6'2"), and Abraham Lincoln (6'4") were genuinely tall by the standards of their era, while Biden's stature was more "comfortably above average" — tall enough to project presence, but never a defining physical characteristic.
The contrast between Biden and Oprah Winfrey (5'6.5") — about 4.5 inches — was visible during various public engagements. Against tech leaders like Elon Musk (6'1") and Jeff Bezos (5'7"), Biden falls right in the middle, taller than Bezos by 4 inches but shorter than Musk by 2.
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Quick Facts About Joe Biden
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. |
| Height (current) | 5'11" (180 cm) |
| Height (medical exam) | 5'11.5" (181 cm) |
| Height (peak, younger) | ~6'0" (183 cm) |
| Weight | ~178 lbs (81 kg) |
| Date of Birth | November 20, 1942 |
| Place of Birth | Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Politician |
| Known For | 46th President of the United States, oldest-ever inaugurated president, 36-year Senator |
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Joe Biden in feet and inches?
Joe Biden currently stands at approximately 5'11" tall, which is 180 centimeters or 1.80 meters. His presidential medical exam listed him at 5'11.5". He was reportedly 6'0" in his younger years.
How tall is Joe Biden in cm?
Joe Biden is approximately 180 cm tall, equivalent to 5'11" in imperial measurements.
Has Joe Biden lost height with age?
Yes. Biden was reportedly around 6'0" (183 cm) in his younger years and now measures closer to 5'11" (180 cm). This approximately 1-inch loss is well within normal expectations for a person in their 80s, caused by spinal disc compression and postural changes.
Who is taller, Joe Biden or Barack Obama?
Barack Obama is taller at 6'1" (185 cm), giving him about 2 inches over Biden at 5'11" (180 cm). This difference was consistently visible during their eight years together in the Obama administration.
How much does Joe Biden weigh?
Joe Biden weighs approximately 178 lbs (81 kg) according to his most recent public medical reports. His moderate build has remained relatively consistent, though he was reportedly slightly heavier during his younger, more athletic years.
Related Celebrity Heights
- Barack Obama Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
- Donald Trump Height: 6'0.5" (184 cm) est.
- Elon Musk Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
- Bill Gates Height: 5'9.5" (177 cm)
- Oprah Winfrey Height: 5'6.5" (169 cm)
- Brad Pitt Height: 5'10.5" (179 cm)