Who was the tallest Beatle?


This is a surprisingly controversial question. The Beatles fan club and other 'official' sources stated that Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison were the same height: 5'11" (180cm), with Ringo Starr at 5'8" (172cm)


Early publicity photos emphasise a certain height uniformity. This harmonised with the identical suits and ‘Beatle’ hairstyles. It was as if you could walk over their heads without breaking step.

The Beatles Cartoon (1965/66) blurred this impression. Sometimes John is presented as a big bruiser, notably bigger than a slightly effete Paul and towering over a pocket-sized Ringo.



Late 60s photos emphasised individual differences rather than a collective brand. They suggested that Paul was fractionally taller than John, who, in turn, had about the same height advantage over George. Ringo was (and is!) closer to 5'6" (168cm).

Paul on his height.

Warning! Not exactly to scale

Paul McCartney is anxious to set the record straight regarding his height. Speaking of the biopic, Nowhere Boy, he said
My character, my actor, is shorter than John!’ he laughs. ‘And I don’t like that! I’m the same size as John.

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