How Tall Is Robert Downey Jr.?
Quick Answer Box
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Robert Downey Jr.'s Height │ │ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ │ │ 📏 5'8.5" (174 cm) barefoot │ │ 📋 Claims: 5'8"–5'9" │ │ ⚖️ Weight: ~172 lbs (78 kg) │ │ 🎂 Born: April 4, 1965, Manhattan, New York │ │ 🌍 Nationality: American │ │ │ │ 🔗 Compare Your Height to Robert Downey Jr. → │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────┘
📏 Compare Your Height to Robert Downey Jr. →
Robert Downey Jr.'s Real Height Explained
Robert Downey Jr. stands at 5'8.5" (174 cm) barefoot, according to CelebHeights{rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"}. That places him right around the 5'8"–5'9" range he has cited in interviews — making RDJ one of the shorter leading men in modern Hollywood and notably shorter than every one of his major male Avengers co-stars.
At 5'8.5", Downey is about half an inch shorter than the average American man (5'9" / 175 cm). While that's essentially average, the context of his career makes it remarkable: as Tony Stark / Iron Man, he anchored the highest-grossing film franchise in history while standing shorter than virtually every other male hero on screen. That feat required some creative footwear solutions.
Born in Manhattan to filmmaker Robert Downey Sr., the younger Downey made his film debut at age five in his father's film Pound. After a meteoric rise, a devastating fall into addiction, and one of Hollywood's greatest comebacks, he became the face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe — and, along the way, the subject of one of the most widely discussed celebrity height stories in the industry.
The Height Debate: What Does Robert Downey Jr. Really Measure?
The Platform Shoe King of Marvel
Robert Downey Jr. is perhaps the most famous lift-wearer in Hollywood, and his use of platform shoes at Marvel{rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"} events became something of an open secret — and eventually a running joke.
At Avengers premieres and press tours, Downey was consistently photographed in thick-soled boots, platform sneakers, and dress shoes with visibly elevated heels. Eagle-eyed fans and fashion blogs documented the footwear extensively, noting that his shoes often appeared to add 2-3 inches to his height. The lifts allowed him to close the gap with co-stars, though the difference was still often visible in candid shots.
Downey himself has acknowledged the practice with his signature self-deprecating humor, joking about wearing lifts rather than trying to hide it. This openness actually endeared him to fans and made the topic more of a lighthearted discussion than a controversy.
Shorter Than Every Male Avenger
The height dynamics on the Avengers set are striking. Here's how RDJ measured up against his fellow heroes:
- Chris Hemsworth (Thor): 6'2.75" — a full 6.25 inches taller than Downey
- Chris Evans (Captain America): 5'11.75" — about 3.25 inches taller
- Mark Ruffalo (Hulk): Mark Ruffalo stands around 5'8", making him the closest to RDJ's height, though Ruffalo isn't in our database
- Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow): 5'2.75" — one of the few Avengers shorter than Downey
- Jeremy Renner{rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"} (Hawkeye): Listed at 5'10", still taller than RDJ
What the Sources Say
CelebHeights{rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"} pegs Downey at 5'8.5" (174 cm), and this is widely considered the most reliable estimate. Some sources list him at a full 5'9", while others argue he may be closer to 5'8" flat. Photo comparisons with known-height co-stars consistently support the 5'8"–5'8.5" range.
Our best estimate: Robert Downey Jr. stands at 5'8.5" (174 cm) barefoot — right around average for an American man, but well below average for a Hollywood leading man, and significantly shorter than all his male Avengers co-stars.
Robert Downey Jr.'s Height Compared to Other Celebrities
Table: RDJ vs. His Marvel Co-Stars
| Celebrity | Height | Difference from RDJ |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Downey Jr. | 5'8.5" (174 cm) | — |
| Chris Hemsworth | 6'2.75" (190 cm) | +6.25" taller |
| Chris Evans | 5'11.75" (182 cm) | +3.25" taller |
| Scarlett Johansson | 5'2.75" (159 cm) | 5.75" shorter |
| Tom Holland | 5'7.5" (172 cm) | 1" shorter |
| Zendaya | 5'8.5" (174 cm) | Same height |
| Hugh Jackman | 6'1.5" (187 cm) | +5" taller |
Table: RDJ vs. Other Hollywood Leading Men
| Celebrity | Height | Difference from RDJ |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Downey Jr. | 5'8.5" (174 cm) | — |
| Leonardo DiCaprio | 5'11.5" (182 cm) | +3" taller |
| Brad Pitt | 5'10.5" (179 cm) | +2" taller |
| Tom Cruise | 5'7.75" (172 cm) | 0.75" shorter |
| Johnny Depp | 5'9.5" (177 cm) | +1" taller |
| Kevin Hart | 5'2.5" (159 cm) | 6" shorter |
→ See Robert Downey Jr. vs Chris Hemsworth side by side → See Robert Downey Jr. vs Tom Cruise side by side
Notable Height Differences
The most dramatic height contrast in Downey's career comes from standing alongside Chris Hemsworth (6'2.75"). The 6.25-inch gap between the two is significant — that's roughly the width of a smartphone. At Marvel events where Downey wasn't wearing lifts (rare as those occasions were), the difference was impossible to miss.
Interestingly, Downey shares a near-identical height with Tom Cruise (5'7.75"), another massive star known for lift-wearing. The two represent a tier of Hollywood leading men who have proven that box office dominance doesn't require being 6 feet tall. Together with Mark Wahlberg (5'8") and Zac Efron (5'7.5"), they make up a cohort of shorter A-listers who've thrived despite — or perhaps in spite of — Hollywood's height bias.
Downey also famously shared screen time with Gwyneth Paltrow (5'9") as Pepper Potts, who was slightly taller than him barefoot. In heels, Paltrow towered over Downey, which was occasionally visible in behind-the-scenes footage.
How Tall Is Robert Downey Jr. Compared to You?
Wondering how you'd look standing next to Robert Downey Jr.? 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 Iron Man!" (or "only 1 inch shorter!") on social media.
🔥 See how you measure up! Enter your height and stand next to Robert Downey Jr. in our free comparison tool. Share your result: "I'm ___ than Robert Downey Jr.!"
→ Try the Height Comparison Tool
Robert Downey Jr.: Height in Context
The Greatest Comeback in Hollywood History
Downey's height may be a fun topic of debate, but his career arc is the stuff of legend. After early acclaim in films like Chaplin (which earned him an Oscar nomination), his career was nearly destroyed by substance abuse and multiple arrests in the late 1990s. He was considered uninsurable and essentially unhireable.
His 2008 casting as Tony Stark in Iron Man — a gamble by director Jon Favreau and Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige — launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe and cemented Downey as one of the most bankable stars in the world. He went on to become the highest-paid actor in Hollywood, earning a reported $75 million for Avengers: Endgame alone.
The Oscar Finally Came
After decades of brilliant work and two previous nominations, Downey finally won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer (2024). The win was a crowning achievement for an actor whose career had been written off multiple times.
Height and the Tony Stark Persona
Tony Stark's confidence, swagger, and ability to command any room — despite being surrounded by literal gods and super-soldiers — mirrors Downey's own relationship with his height. Neither Stark nor Downey let being the shortest person in the room diminish their presence. If anything, the contrast became part of the charm: the regular-sized human who held his own alongside a 6'3" thunder god through sheer force of personality.
The Iron Man suit itself served as an in-universe height equalizer, adding inches to Downey's frame. Directors used this to great effect, with suited-up Iron Man appearing closer in stature to his teammates than Downey did out of the armor.
Quick Facts About Robert Downey Jr.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert John Downey Jr. |
| Height (barefoot) | 5'8.5" (174 cm) |
| Height (claimed) | 5'8"–5'9" |
| Weight | ~172 lbs (78 kg) |
| Date of Birth | April 4, 1965 |
| Place of Birth | Manhattan, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor |
| Known For | Iron Man / MCU, Oppenheimer, Sherlock Holmes, Chaplin, Tropic Thunder |
📊 Loved this article? Compare yourself to Robert Downey Jr. and 200+ other celebrities. Our free tool creates a visual side-by-side you can share on social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Robert Downey Jr. in feet and inches?
Robert Downey Jr. stands at 5'8.5" tall, which is 174 centimeters or 1.74 meters. He's known for wearing platform shoes that add 2-3 inches at events.How tall is Robert Downey Jr. in cm?
Robert Downey Jr. is 174 cm tall, equivalent to 5'8.5" in imperial measurements.Is Robert Downey Jr. tall or short for a man?
At 5'8.5", RDJ is about half an inch below the average American male height of 5'9" (175 cm). He's essentially average for the general population but notably shorter than most Hollywood leading men, especially his Avengers co-stars.Who is taller, Robert Downey Jr. or Chris Hemsworth?
Chris Hemsworth (6'2.75") is about 6.25 inches taller than Robert Downey Jr. (5'8.5"). This significant height difference was one of the most visible on the Avengers set. → Compare them side by sideHow much does Robert Downey Jr. weigh?
Robert Downey Jr. weighs approximately 172 lbs (78 kg). He maintained a fit, athletic build throughout his Marvel tenure through dedicated training.Related Celebrity Heights
- Chris Hemsworth Height: 6'2.75"
- Chris Evans Height: 5'11.75"
- Tom Cruise Height: 5'7.75"
- Scarlett Johansson Height: 5'2.75"
- Tom Holland Height: 5'7.5"
- Hugh Jackman Height: 6'1.5"