Napoleon Bonaparte’s true height measures approximately 5 feet 6 inches (about 1.68 meters), which was average or slightly above average for a Frenchman of his era. Despite popular belief that depicts him as unusually short, reliable contemporary measurements and historical evidence confirm this stature. Misconceptions about his height arise from differences between French and British measurement units, propaganda, and visual context.
After Napoleon’s death in 1821, his valet Louis Joseph Marchand and his personal physician Dr. François Carlo Antommarchi measured him. They recorded his height as “5 feet, 2 inches, 4 lines” in French measurements. This converts into roughly 1.68 meters or just over 5 feet 6 inches in British imperial units. Another contemporary figure, Andrew Darling—a British upholsterer involved in Napoleon’s funeral arrangements—quoted his height as 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters). Both figures align closely and demonstrate that Napoleon was not exceptionally short.
The average height of Frenchmen during Napoleon’s time was around 1.64 meters (approximately 5 feet 4 inches). That means Napoleon was slightly taller than many of his countrymen. In a modern context, the average height of adult French males is about 1.76 meters (5 feet 9 inches), so Napoleon’s stature would still be within a normal range internationally today.
The widespread view of Napoleon as short primarily results from multiple factors that distorted the perception of his height.
- British Propaganda: During and after the Napoleonic Wars, British political cartoons often depicted him as small to mock and diminish him. This caricature stuck in historical memory, boosting the myth of his short stature.
- The Imperial Guard: Napoleon frequently appeared surrounded by his Imperial Guard. These soldiers had strict height requirements. For example, grenadiers had to be at least 1.8 meters (5 feet 10 inches), and chasseurs at least 1.7 meters (5 feet 6 inches) tall. Additionally, their tall bearskin hats exaggerated their height, making Napoleon appear comparatively smaller in photographs and paintings.
- Misinterpretation of the Title “Petit Corporal”: Napoleon was affectionately nicknamed “le petit caporal” or “little corporal.” This phrase referred to camaraderie and leadership rather than his physical size, but came to be mistakenly taken literally.
- Confusion Over Measurement Units: The French foot was longer than the British foot. Marchand and Antommarchi’s recorded Napoleon’s height using French units, but many English speakers mistakenly interpret this as British feet and inches, leading them to consider him as only 5 feet 2 inches tall in English measures.
The autopsy conducted after Napoleon’s death added to the confusion. Dr. Antommarchi measured Napoleon’s height and recorded it as 5 feet 2 inches without clarifying which system was used. Some argue it was recorded in French feet, others suspect British, but most historians agree it was in the French system, which corresponds to modern 5 feet 6 inches.
Regarding anecdotes that connect Napoleon with donkeys, historical records show he did not commonly ride them. He is famously depicted on a mule during the crossing of the Alps—a mule being a hybrid animal commonly used for mountain travel. Some British cartoons humorously exaggerated his stature by illustrating him riding a donkey backward as a form of ridicule. However, these images are satirical and should not be taken as factual accounts. Primarily, Napoleon rode horses.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Height Recorded by Valet & Physician | 5 feet 2 inches 4 lines (French) ~ 1.68m / 5’6″ (imperial) |
| British Upholsterer’s Measurement | 5’7″ (1.7m) |
| Average French Height Circa 1800s | Approximately 5’4″ (1.64m) |
| Typical Imperial Guard Height | Grenadiers: 5’10” (1.8m); Chasseurs: 5’6″ (1.7m) |
| Common Misinterpretation | Confusing French with British feet resulted in perceived height of 5’2″ |
In summary, the myth of Napoleon being very short is unfounded. Recording practices, propaganda, and context created a misleading image. His actual height placed him at or just above average for his time.
- Napoleon stood about 5’6″ to 5’7″ tall (1.68 to 1.7 meters).
- French measurement units differ from British, causing confusion.
- British cartoonists exaggerated his small stature as political satire.
- He appeared shorter among his very tall Imperial Guard soldiers.
- The nickname “Petit Corporal” was affectionate, not a height description.
- He commonly rode horses or mules, not donkeys.
