How Tall Is Tom Cruise?
Quick Answer
Tom Cruise's Height
📏 5'7¾" (172.1 cm) barefoot
📋 Claims: 5'9"
⚖️ Weight: ~148 lbs (67 kg)
🎂 Born: July 3, 1962, Syracuse, New York, USA
🌍 Nationality: American
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Tom Cruise stands at approximately 5'7¾" (172.1 cm) barefoot according to CelebHeights, making his height one of the most debated and dissected topics in Hollywood history. While official profiles and casting records have listed him at 5'9", the evidence overwhelmingly points to a real height closer to 5'7"–5'8" — about 1–2 inches below the average American male height of 5'9".
For over four decades, Cruise has been Hollywood's most prominent example of how camera angles, footwear choices, and sheer star power can make height almost irrelevant to leading-man status.
The Height Debate: What Does Tom Cruise Really Measure?
Tom Cruise's height might be the single most discussed celebrity measurement of all time. Unlike Kevin Hart, who jokes openly about his height, Cruise has never directly addressed the controversy — which has only made the speculation more intense.
The Official Listing vs. Reality
Various official sources — including IMDb and studio bios — have listed Tom Cruise at 5'9" (175 cm). However, this figure has been questioned for decades. An early audition form that surfaced publicly reportedly listed Cruise at 5'7", a number that photo evidence consistently supports.
The Camera Tricks
Tom Cruise's films are famous for employing a range of techniques to make him appear taller on screen. These include low camera angles that shoot upward at Cruise, "apple boxes" (small platforms) for him to stand on during scenes, careful blocking so that taller co-stars aren't standing right next to him, and trenches dug for taller actors to walk in during side-by-side shots. Industry insiders have discussed these practices extensively, and they've become some of Hollywood's most well-known open secrets.
Cruise is also widely reported to wear lifts or platform shoes in both his personal and professional life. This isn't unusual for shorter leading men, but the extent to which it's associated with Cruise is unique.
Photo Evidence: The Co-Star Test
Some of the most compelling evidence for Cruise's real height comes from standing next to co-stars and public figures of known heights:
- Nicole Kidman — Nicole Kidman (5'10½"), Cruise's ex-wife, was visibly taller than him in photos throughout their marriage, even in flat shoes. This was a roughly 2.5–3 inch difference, consistent with Cruise being around 5'7¾".
- Cameron Diaz — Diaz, at approximately 5'9", appeared equal to or taller than Cruise in Knight and Day promotional material.
- Henry Cavill — In Mission: Impossible – Fallout, the 6'1" Cavill towers over Cruise in behind-the-scenes footage, suggesting a 5+ inch difference.
The CelebHeights Verdict
CelebHeights, which has spent years analyzing photos and data, lists Cruise at 5'7¾" (172.1 cm). This is one of the most-discussed pages on the entire site, with thousands of comments debating the exact figure. The consensus among height-tracking communities: somewhere between 5'7" and 5'8", with 5'7¾" being the best estimate.
Our best estimate: 5'7¾" (172.1 cm) barefoot — approximately 5'9" in lifts/platform shoes, which would explain the official listing.
Tom Cruise's Height Compared to Other Celebrities
Table: Tom Cruise vs Fellow Action Stars
| Celebrity | Height | Difference from Tom Cruise |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Cruise | 5'7¾" (172 cm) | — |
| Chris Hemsworth | 6'2¾" (190 cm) | +7 inches taller |
| Jason Momoa | 6'3½" (192 cm) | +7.75 inches taller |
| Brad Pitt | 5'10½" (179 cm) | +2.75 inches taller |
| Robert Downey Jr. | 5'8½" (174 cm) | +0.75 inches taller |
| Sylvester Stallone | 5'9" (175 cm) | +1.25 inches taller |
| Mark Wahlberg | 5'8" (173 cm) | +0.25 inches taller |
→ See Tom Cruise vs Brad Pitt side by side → See Tom Cruise vs Chris Hemsworth side by side
Notable Height Differences
The height dynamic between Cruise and his ex-wife Nicole Kidman became one of the most photographed celebrity height contrasts of the 1990s and 2000s. Kidman, at 5'10½", was consistently taller in virtually all candid photos. After their divorce, Kidman famously wore higher heels — a detail that tabloids interpreted as liberation from years of managing the optics of the height difference.
Among fellow action stars, Cruise occupies an unusual position. The modern blockbuster landscape is dominated by tall men — Chris Hemsworth (6'2¾"), Jason Momoa (6'3½"), Dwayne Johnson (6'2½") — and Cruise is shorter than nearly all of them. Yet he remains the genre's most bankable star, with the Mission: Impossible franchise alone grossing over $3.5 billion worldwide.
Compared to other actors known for navigating height in Hollywood, Cruise is taller than Robert De Niro (5'9") on paper but close in practice, and taller than fellow height-debate subjects like Zac Efron (5'7½") and Tom Holland (5'7½").
How Tall Is Tom Cruise Compared to You?
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Tom Cruise: Height in Context
Tom Cruise has fundamentally challenged the notion that Hollywood leading men need to be tall. At 5'7¾", he's shorter than nearly every other A-list action star — and yet he's arguably the most successful box office draw of his generation. The Mission: Impossible franchise, Top Gun: Maverick (which grossed $1.5 billion in 2022), and decades of consistent hits have made height a non-factor in his career.
What makes Cruise's case especially interesting is the effort put into managing perception. Unlike Kevin Hart, who turns his height into comedy, or Tom Holland, who is open and casual about it, Cruise has opted for a third approach: never address it directly but use every available tool to control the visual narrative. This strategy has worked remarkably well for over 40 years.
Cruise's physicality in a different dimension is undeniable. He does virtually all of his own stunts — including a HALO jump from 25,000 feet for Mission: Impossible – Fallout, hanging off the side of an Airbus A400M, and multiple motorcycle chases — that actors of any height would find terrifying. His compact, athletic frame may even be an advantage for the agility-based stunts that define his action career.
At 62 (as of 2024), Cruise continues to defy expectations. His height hasn't changed, but neither has his status as one of the world's biggest movie stars.
Cruise belongs to a notable group of leading men who have operated below the typical height threshold in Hollywood. Sylvester Stallone (5'9"), Robert De Niro (5'9"), and Al Pacino are all in the 5'7"–5'9" range and have had legendary careers. But Cruise is arguably the most successful of this group at the modern box office, and the one who has worked hardest to manage the visual perception of his height.
It's also interesting to compare Cruise to the new generation of action stars. Tom Holland (5'7½"), who plays Spider-Man in the MCU, is essentially the same height as Cruise — and has taken a completely different approach, being open and even playful about height dynamics with his taller girlfriend Zendaya. The contrast in strategies — Cruise's meticulous image control versus Holland's casual confidence — reflects how attitudes about male height in Hollywood have shifted over the past two decades.
Quick Facts About Tom Cruise
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas Cruise Mapother IV |
| Height (barefoot) | 5'7¾" (172.1 cm) |
| Height (claimed) | 5'9" (175 cm) |
| Weight | ~148 lbs (67 kg) |
| Date of Birth | July 3, 1962 |
| Place of Birth | Syracuse, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, Producer |
| Known For | Mission: Impossible franchise, Top Gun, Jerry Maguire, Rain Man |
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Tom Cruise in feet and inches?
Tom Cruise stands at 5'7¾" tall barefoot, which is 172.1 centimeters or 1.72 meters. While he's been officially listed at 5'9", the best evidence from CelebHeights and photo analysis points to approximately 5'7¾".
How tall is Tom Cruise in cm?
Tom Cruise is 172.1 cm tall, equivalent to 5'7¾" in imperial measurements.
Is Tom Cruise short for a man?
Tom Cruise is slightly below the average American male height of 5'9" (175.3 cm), by about 1.25 inches. While not dramatically short, he is shorter than most of his Hollywood leading-man peers, which is why his height has been so widely discussed.
Who is taller, Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt?
Brad Pitt is taller at 5'10½" (179 cm), giving him roughly a 2.75-inch advantage over Tom Cruise. Despite the difference, both are among Hollywood's most bankable stars. See them compared side by side →
How much does Tom Cruise weigh?
Tom Cruise weighs approximately 148 lbs (67 kg). He maintains a highly athletic build for his demanding stunt work and action roles.
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Related Celebrity Heights
- Nicole Kidman Height: 5'10½"
- Brad Pitt Height: 5'10½"
- Chris Hemsworth Height: 6'2¾"
- Robert Downey Jr. Height: 5'8½"
- Sylvester Stallone Height: 5'9"
- Tom Holland Height: 5'7½"
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