How different were the listed heights of Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama and James Madison? This chart uses the rounded metric reference values published by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Reference check: 24 October 2026. The table links to every underlying source. Source checking confirms what a publisher lists; it does not certify a person’s measured stature.
Measurements and references
| Person | Height | Evidence / source |
|---|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln | 193 cm | Historical reference listing National Institute of Standards and Technology Checked 2026-10-24 |
| Thomas Jefferson | 189 cm | Historical reference listing NIST Checked 2026-10-24 |
| George H. W. Bush | 188 cm | Historical reference listing NIST Checked 2026-10-24 |
| George Washington | 187 cm | Historical reference listing NIST Checked 2026-10-24 |
| Barack Obama | 185 cm | Historical reference listing NIST Checked 2026-10-24 |
| James Madison | 163 cm | Historical reference listing NIST Checked 2026-10-24 |
What this selection shows
Lincoln is the tallest and Madison the shortest in this selected group. NIST’s values place them 30 cm apart. The table is sorted by listed height, while the chart lets you rearrange people and compare them on the same baseline.
This is a selection of six presidents, rather than a complete ranking of everyone who has held the office. Other presidential records in the library can be added through its search box.
Why historical numbers need context
A historical stature may come from records made at different ages or from later biographical accounts. A rounded value in meters should not acquire extra apparent precision merely because a calculator converts it to inches. These figures describe the NIST reference table; they are not measurements made by HeightCompare.
A classroom activity
Ask learners to predict the order before viewing the table, then calculate the difference between two listed values. Compare a rounded meter value with its centimeter equivalent, and discuss why historical evidence and present-day measurement procedures are different kinds of information. Height does not explain a president’s leadership, beliefs or accomplishments.
Try your own comparison
Add yourself with a known height, switch between centimeters and feet/inches, or open Create image to export a card. Silhouettes show relative scale. The tool does not estimate height from a photograph.
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