How Tall Is Nicole Kidman?
Quick Answer
Nicole Kidman's Height
📏 5'11" (180 cm) barefoot
📋 Claims: 5'11" (180 cm)
⚖️ Weight: ~130 lbs (59 kg)
🎂 Born: June 20, 1967, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
🌍 Nationality: Australian-American
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Nicole Kidman's Real Height Explained
Nicole Kidman stands at 5'11" (180 cm) barefoot, making her one of the tallest leading actresses in Hollywood history. At nearly six feet tall, she's a full 7 inches above the average American woman's height of 5'4" (163 cm), and she exceeds the average height of most male actors in the industry. Her stature has been a defining feature of her career, her public image, and — most famously — her marriage to Tom Cruise.
Most sources consistently list Kidman at 5'11", and she has not disputed this figure. CelebHeights{rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"} estimates her slightly shorter at 5'10.5" (179.1 cm), a minor half-inch discrepancy. Her Wikipedia biography{rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"} and IMDb profile{rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"} both list her at 5'11".
Kidman's height has been both an asset and a challenge in her career. In an industry where leading men are often shorter than they appear on screen, her 5'11" frame has limited some casting options while simultaneously making her unforgettable on screen. Her tall, elegant silhouette has become one of the most recognizable in cinema.
The Height Debate: Nicole Kidman's True Measurement
There's relatively little controversy about Nicole Kidman's height compared to many celebrities. She's genuinely tall, and there's no evidence of significant exaggeration. The minor difference between the commonly cited 5'11" and CelebHeights' estimate of 5'10.5" is within the margin of error for most measurement methods.
What's worth noting is that Kidman was likely a full 5'11" in her prime and may have lost a small fraction of height over the decades, as is completely normal for anyone approaching their late 50s. Spinal compression and postural changes with age typically result in a loss of 0.5"–1" for most people by their 60s.
In heels — which Kidman now wears regularly and enthusiastically — she can easily appear to be 6'2" or taller. This creates a commanding presence at premieres and events that few other actresses can match.
Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise: The Height Difference That Defined an Era
No discussion of Nicole Kidman's height is complete without addressing the most famous height-mismatched couple in Hollywood history. Kidman married Tom Cruise in 1990, and their 11-year marriage was defined, in part, by a height dynamic that became an endless source of media fascination.
Tom Cruise stands at approximately 5'8" (173 cm) barefoot — some sources put him closer to 5'7.75". That means Kidman was 3 to 4 inches taller than Cruise even before putting on shoes. In heels, the difference could stretch to 6 inches or more, which is why Kidman was famously known for wearing flat shoes throughout most of their marriage.
The visual optics of their height difference were carefully managed during their years together. Photographers noted that Cruise would often stand on slightly elevated ground, or that the couple would pose in ways that minimized the gap. Kidman, for her part, seemed to actively avoid heels at events where they appeared together. The unspoken message was clear: the height difference was something to be concealed rather than celebrated.
→ See Nicole Kidman vs Tom Cruise side by side
Then came the divorce in 2001, and with it, one of the most iconic celebrity quotes about height ever uttered. Kidman reportedly said she could "finally wear heels again" — a line that became shorthand for the freedom she felt after leaving the marriage. Whether the quote is verbatim or paraphrased (it's been reported in various forms across outlets), it captured a genuine truth: Kidman had been physically diminishing herself for years, and she was done.
After the divorce, Kidman embraced her height fully. She began appearing at events in towering stilettos, sometimes adding 4–5 inches to her already formidable 5'11" frame. The contrast between the flat-shoed Kidman of the Cruise years and the heel-wearing Kidman who followed was striking and widely commented upon.
She later married country music star Keith Urban, who stands at approximately 5'10" (178 cm). This time, Kidman made no effort to minimize the height difference — she's slightly taller than Urban barefoot and significantly taller in heels. Photos of the couple show Kidman towering over Urban at events, and neither appears remotely bothered by it. The evolution from the Cruise marriage to the Urban marriage represents a complete shift in how Kidman relates to her own height publicly.
Nicole Kidman's Height Compared to Other Celebrities
Table: Nicole Kidman vs Fellow Actresses and Co-Stars
| Celebrity | Height | Difference from Nicole |
|---|---|---|
| Nicole Kidman | 5'11" (180 cm) | — |
| Charlize Theron | 5'10" (178 cm) | 1 inch shorter |
| Gal Gadot | 5'9" (175 cm) | 2 inches shorter |
| Tom Cruise | 5'8" (173 cm) | 3 inches shorter |
| Reese Witherspoon | 5'1" (155 cm) | 10 inches shorter |
| Jennifer Aniston | 5'5" (165 cm) | 6 inches shorter |
| Scarlett Johansson | 5'3" (160 cm) | 8 inches shorter |
→ See Nicole Kidman vs Tom Cruise side by side → See Nicole Kidman vs Reese Witherspoon side by side → See Nicole Kidman vs Charlize Theron side by side
Notable Height Differences
The height contrast between Nicole Kidman and her Big Little Lies co-star Reese Witherspoon is one of the most dramatic in recent television. Reese at 5'1" (155 cm) is a full 10 inches shorter than Nicole — nearly a foot of difference between two women sharing the screen as equals. The show's directors had to work carefully with camera angles to avoid making the gap distractingly obvious.
Among Hollywood's tall actresses, Kidman stands in elite company. Charlize Theron at 5'10" is just an inch shorter, and the two have a similar commanding screen presence. Gal Gadot at 5'9" rounds out the trio of tall leading ladies, though Kidman still has 2 inches on the Wonder Woman star.
The contrast with Scarlett Johansson at 5'3" (160 cm) is also notable. At 8 inches shorter than Kidman, Johansson represents the other end of the Hollywood actress height spectrum — proof that leading roles are available to women of all statures, even if the industry historically favored a narrow range.
How Tall Is Nicole Kidman Compared to You?
Wondering how you'd look standing next to Nicole Kidman? 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 taller than Nicole Kidman!" or "only 3 inches shorter!" on social media.
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Nicole Kidman: Height in Context
Nicole Kidman's height has shaped her career in ways both visible and subtle. At 5'11", she's been cast in roles that require physical authority and elegance — from her early breakout in Dead Calm to her Oscar-winning performance in The Hours (2002) to her recent work in Big Little Lies and Babygirl. Directors have frequently noted that her height gives her an inherent gravitas on screen that's difficult to manufacture.
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and raised in Sydney, Australia, Kidman was reportedly already 5'9" by her early teens — taller than most of her peers. She has spoken about feeling self-conscious about her height as a teenager, a common experience for tall girls. That self-consciousness eventually gave way to confidence, and her height became one of her most distinctive assets in the entertainment industry.
In an era when many male actors are shorter than they appear (thanks to platform shoes, camera tricks, and favorable angles), Kidman has represented an interesting challenge for Hollywood. She can't easily be made to look shorter, and many male co-stars can't easily be made to look taller than her. This has occasionally limited her pairing options but has also ensured that when she does appear on screen, her presence is undeniable.
At 58, Kidman remains one of the most sought-after actresses in the world, with recent critically acclaimed performances that have earned her additional awards and nominations. Her height continues to be a defining physical characteristic, and her evolution from the woman who hid her stature during the Cruise years to someone who embraces it fully has become something of a feminist parable about self-acceptance.
Quick Facts About Nicole Kidman
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nicole Mary Kidman |
| Height (barefoot) | 5'11" (180 cm) |
| Height (claimed) | 5'11" (180 cm) |
| Weight | ~130 lbs (59 kg) |
| Date of Birth | June 20, 1967 |
| Place of Birth | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (raised in Australia) |
| Nationality | Australian-American |
| Profession | Actress |
| Known For | The Hours, Big Little Lies, Moulin Rouge!, Eyes Wide Shut |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Nicole Kidman in feet and inches?
Nicole Kidman stands at 5'11" tall, which is 180 centimeters or 1.80 meters. She is one of the tallest leading actresses in Hollywood history.How tall is Nicole Kidman in cm?
Nicole Kidman is 180 cm tall, equivalent to 5'11" in imperial measurements. CelebHeights estimates her at 179.1 cm (5'10.5"), but most sources agree on 5'11".Is Nicole Kidman taller than Tom Cruise?
Yes. Nicole Kidman at 5'11" (180 cm) is approximately 3–4 inches taller than her ex-husband Tom Cruise at roughly 5'8" (173 cm). The height difference was a constant topic during their marriage. Compare them side by side →Who is taller, Nicole Kidman or Keith Urban?
Nicole Kidman at 5'11" (180 cm) is slightly taller than her husband Keith Urban, who is approximately 5'10" (178 cm). Unlike during her marriage to Tom Cruise, Kidman makes no effort to minimize this difference and regularly wears high heels at events.How much does Nicole Kidman weigh?
Nicole Kidman weighs approximately 130 lbs (59 kg). Her tall, slender frame has been consistent throughout her career and is characteristic of her elegant screen presence.Related Celebrity Heights
- Tom Cruise Height: 5'8"
- Reese Witherspoon Height: 5'1"
- Charlize Theron Height: 5'10"
- Gal Gadot Height: 5'9"
- Jennifer Aniston Height: 5'5"
- Hugh Jackman Height: 6'2"