Napoleon Bonaparte’s height has been the subject of much debate and myth. The common belief is that he was quite short, but this is largely based on misunderstandings.

Napoleon’s recorded height at the time of his death was 5 feet 2 inches in French measurements, which would correspond to approximately 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) in modern British or American measurements. This difference arises because French measurements at the time used a different standard for a “foot” than other systems.

So, contrary to the popular belief that he was very short, Napoleon was actually of average height for a Frenchman of his era. The myth of his shortness may have been exaggerated by political cartoons and English propaganda, as well as confusion over the units of measurement.