How Tall Is Serena Williams?
Quick Answer
Serena Williams's Height
📏 5'8.5" (174 cm) barefoot
📋 Claims: 5'9" (175 cm)
⚖️ Weight: ~155 lbs (70 kg)
🎂 Born: September 26, 1981, Saginaw, Michigan, USA
🌍 Nationality: American
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Serena Williams's Real Height Explained
Serena Williams stands at 5'8.5" (174 cm) barefoot, according to CelebHeights{rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"}, though she's most commonly listed at 5'9" (175 cm){rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"} across most sports databases and media profiles. The difference is marginal — less than half an inch — and both figures place her well above the average American woman's height of 5'4".
At 5'8.5", Serena towers over most women by roughly 4.5 inches. That extra height, combined with her famously muscular and athletic build, gave her one of the most imposing physical presences in women's tennis history. Her powerful frame was the engine behind a serve that routinely clocked above 120 mph — one of the fastest in the women's game.
What makes Serena's stature even more interesting is the contrast with her older sister Venus Williams, who stands at a towering 6'1" (185 cm). That 4-inch height difference between the two most dominant siblings in tennis history meant Venus had a natural reach and leverage advantage, yet Serena's lower center of gravity and explosive power allowed her to match — and ultimately surpass — her sister's Grand Slam count.
The Height Debate: What Does Serena Really Measure?
The height debate around Serena is relatively mild compared to athletes like Conor McGregor or Kevin Hart. Most sources list her at 5'9", while CelebHeights places her closer to 5'8.5". The half-inch discrepancy is well within normal measurement variance, and it's possible that her listed height of 5'9" was taken in tennis shoes rather than barefoot.
What's never been debated is the sheer physical dominance Serena brought to the court. At ~155 lbs (70 kg) of dense, powerful muscle, she was notably heavier and more muscular than most of her competitors, many of whom were taller but significantly lighter. Height alone never tells the full story — Serena's combination of height, power, and athleticism was truly unique in tennis history.
Serena Williams's Height Compared to Other Celebrities
Table: Serena vs Fellow Sports Icons
| Celebrity | Height | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Serena Williams | 5'8.5" (174 cm) | — |
| Venus Williams | 6'1" (185 cm) | +4.5 inches |
| Roger Federer | 6'0.5" (184 cm) | +4 inches |
| Simone Biles | 4'7.5" (141 cm) | -13 inches |
| Beyoncé | 5'6" (168 cm) | -2.5 inches |
| Rihanna | 5'7.5" (172 cm) | -1 inch |
→ See Serena Williams vs Roger Federer side by side → See Serena Williams vs Simone Biles side by side
Notable Height Differences
The most famous height comparison in Serena's life is undoubtedly with her sister Venus. Standing together, the 4-inch difference is immediately noticeable — Venus at 6'1" has a long, lean frame built for reach, while Serena at 5'8.5" is visibly more compact and muscular. Their rivalry produced some of the most compelling matches in tennis, and their physical contrast was always part of the storyline.
Compared to other elite female athletes, Serena's height is solidly above average. She stands 13 inches taller than gymnastics legend Simone Biles (4'7.5") and about 2.5 inches taller than Beyoncé (5'6"). Against male tennis players like Roger Federer (6'0.5"), she gives up about 4 inches — roughly the same gap between her and Venus.
Her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, stands approximately 6'5", creating a height difference of about 8.5 inches. Photos of the couple together highlight just how variable height can be, even within the same family — their daughter Olympia will be interesting to watch as she grows.
How Tall Is Serena Williams Compared to You?
Wondering how you'd look standing next to Serena Williams? 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 Serena Williams!" (or "only 2 inches shorter!") on social media.
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Serena Williams: Height in Context
Serena's 5'8.5" frame is arguably the most decorated body in tennis history. With 23 Grand Slam singles titles — the most in the Open Era — she proved that dominance in women's tennis isn't reserved for the tallest players. While many of her competitors stood over 5'10" or even 6'0", Serena relied on explosive power, anticipation, and one of the greatest serves the sport has ever seen.
Growing up in Compton, California, Serena and Venus were coached by their father Richard Williams on public courts. The story of their rise is one of the most remarkable in sports history. What's fascinating from a physical perspective is how differently the two sisters developed — Venus grew to 6'1" with a lean, rangy build, while Serena stopped at 5'8.5" but developed significantly more muscle mass. Both body types proved devastating on the court, but in different ways.
Since retiring from professional tennis in 2022, Serena has focused on Serena Ventures{rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"}, her venture capital firm that has invested in over 30 startups. She married Alexis Ohanian in 2017, and the couple's public appearances — with their significant height difference — remain a frequent subject of media coverage. At 5'8.5", Serena continues to carry the confident, powerful presence that defined her two decades at the top of tennis.
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Quick Facts About Serena Williams
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Serena Jameka Williams |
| Height (barefoot) | 5'8.5" (174 cm) |
| Height (claimed) | 5'9" (175 cm) |
| Weight | ~155 lbs (70 kg) |
| Date of Birth | September 26, 1981 |
| Place of Birth | Saginaw, Michigan, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Tennis Player |
| Known For | 23 Grand Slam singles titles, most in the Open Era |
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Serena Williams in feet and inches?
Serena Williams stands at 5'8.5" tall, which is 174 centimeters or 1.74 meters. She is well above the average American woman's height of 5'4".
How tall is Serena Williams in cm?
Serena Williams is 174 cm tall, equivalent to 5'8.5" in imperial measurements.
Is Serena Williams tall for a woman?
At 5'8.5", Serena is about 4.5 inches taller than the average American woman (5'4"). In the general population, she would be considered tall. In elite women's tennis, however, her height is closer to average — many top players stand at 5'10" or above.
Who is taller, Serena Williams or Venus Williams?
Venus Williams is significantly taller. Venus stands at 6'1" (185 cm), making her about 4 inches taller than Serena at 5'8.5" (174 cm). Despite the height difference, Serena leads their head-to-head record and holds more Grand Slam titles.
How much does Serena Williams weigh?
Serena Williams weighs approximately 155 lbs (70 kg). Her muscular, powerful build was one of the most defining physical attributes of her tennis career, enabling her legendary serve power and explosive court movement.
Related Celebrity Heights
- Roger Federer Height: 6'0.5" (184 cm)
- Simone Biles Height: 4'7.5" (141 cm)
- Beyoncé Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
- LeBron James Height: 6'7.75" (203 cm)
- Cristiano Ronaldo Height: 6'0.5" (184 cm)
- Usain Bolt Height: 6'4.75" (195 cm)