Willie Nelson's Height
5ft 5 ⅞ (167.3 cm)
American Country Musician and actor known for roles in Barbarosa, Stagecoach, Thief, Wag the Dog and Half-Baked.
Photo by PR Photos
[on his just-a-shade-under 5-foot-6 height]
I'm taller than Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. Of course, they don't wear cowboy boots. I'm also taller than Ross Perot as long as I don't cut my hair. Really tall guys never seem to make it. The only two I can think of are Mick Jagger and Mick Fleetwood.
-- Request Magazine, 1993
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Add a Comment55 comments
Average Guess (16 Votes)
5ft 5.52in (166.4cm)
5ft 5.52in (166.4cm)
Arch Stanton said on 16/Apr/23
Probably too many skeletons in the closet Ian for him to be president, I'd imagine he went to some rather colourful parties.... I don't disagree with you on his qualities though! Odd that Willie lumps Mick Jagger and Mick Fleetwood into the "really tall category" when one is 8 inches taller! People mostly seem to call Jagger short!
Probably too many skeletons in the closet Ian for him to be president, I'd imagine he went to some rather colourful parties.... I don't disagree with you on his qualities though! Odd that Willie lumps Mick Jagger and Mick Fleetwood into the "really tall category" when one is 8 inches taller! People mostly seem to call Jagger short!
Beau said on 6/Oct/22
There's a recent photo of Willie w/ Billy Strings on Billy's instagram and it appears Billy is about 4" taller... Billy seems no more than 5' 7.5" at best (also a recent photo on his IG w/ Eddie Vedder where he edges him out maybe a half inch).
Just coming here to comment as I never knew Willie was a shorter guy and the photo surprised me. But in his later age I doubt he clears 5'4".
There's a recent photo of Willie w/ Billy Strings on Billy's instagram and it appears Billy is about 4" taller... Billy seems no more than 5' 7.5" at best (also a recent photo on his IG w/ Eddie Vedder where he edges him out maybe a half inch).
Just coming here to comment as I never knew Willie was a shorter guy and the photo surprised me. But in his later age I doubt he clears 5'4".
Ian C. said on 15/Jun/22
Notice that there are no known instances of Willie lying about his height. With Willie you get a lot to like, and a certain unforced integrity is one of many positive traits.
One of my favourite bits of reality TV is his interview with Barbara Walters, who tried and failed to get him to lie. (Much to her surprise, probably.) After getting him to open about his pot habit, she asked him, do you think that smoking so much dope has hurt you? And he said, matter-of-factly, no. This was at a time when there was that "just say no" (to drugs) message going around, and Walters was gobsmacked that Nelson wasn't just going to join in the general hypocrisy.
Notice that there are no known instances of Willie lying about his height. With Willie you get a lot to like, and a certain unforced integrity is one of many positive traits.
One of my favourite bits of reality TV is his interview with Barbara Walters, who tried and failed to get him to lie. (Much to her surprise, probably.) After getting him to open about his pot habit, she asked him, do you think that smoking so much dope has hurt you? And he said, matter-of-factly, no. This was at a time when there was that "just say no" (to drugs) message going around, and Walters was gobsmacked that Nelson wasn't just going to join in the general hypocrisy.
Toby Barrett said on 22/Feb/22
5'6 1/8 in morning
5'6 1/8 in morning
Ian C. said on 25/Aug/21
If Willie had run for president he would have won. Intelligent, friendly, humane, accomplished and modest. The anti-Trump.
If Willie had run for president he would have won. Intelligent, friendly, humane, accomplished and modest. The anti-Trump.
Arch Stanton said on 17/Feb/21
Always looked about 5 ft 6 on stage I think. His cover of Always on my Mind is one of my favourite songs of alltime! There's something about a dyed in the wool US southerner which strongly resonates with me, I just love the country music style and earthiness of people like him! In spirit he's every bit as big as Trace Adkins.
Always looked about 5 ft 6 on stage I think. His cover of Always on my Mind is one of my favourite songs of alltime! There's something about a dyed in the wool US southerner which strongly resonates with me, I just love the country music style and earthiness of people like him! In spirit he's every bit as big as Trace Adkins.
Nik Ashton said on 3/Nov/20
He’s very honest and he so deserves his 50th comment!
He’s very honest and he so deserves his 50th comment!
Jim R. said on 31/Oct/20
tall enough to reach Beto's zipper, stoned enough to think it was a Zippo, so he pulled it out and lit it up. Willie Hugh's ego finally duped him into thinking he could smoke dope and say "Open them borders up, let'em all in" and we would just love him because ... because if we smoke enough dope maybe we won't believe he really said it
tall enough to reach Beto's zipper, stoned enough to think it was a Zippo, so he pulled it out and lit it up. Willie Hugh's ego finally duped him into thinking he could smoke dope and say "Open them borders up, let'em all in" and we would just love him because ... because if we smoke enough dope maybe we won't believe he really said it
Miss Sandy Cowell said on 29/Apr/20
🎁🎂🎶🎉 Happy Birthday Willie 🎉🎶🎂🎁
Many Happy Returns to Willie Nelson, who turns 8️⃣7️⃣ years of age today. Congratulations to him!
5ft5.7/8ths 😁👍
🎁🎂🎶🎉🎁🎂🎶🎉🎁🎂🎶🎉🎁🎂🎶🎉
🎁🎂🎶🎉 Happy Birthday Willie 🎉🎶🎂🎁
Many Happy Returns to Willie Nelson, who turns 8️⃣7️⃣ years of age today. Congratulations to him!
5ft5.7/8ths 😁👍
🎁🎂🎶🎉🎁🎂🎶🎉🎁🎂🎶🎉🎁🎂🎶🎉
Nik Ashton said on 1/Dec/19
It’s great that his height is listed in eighths! Just look at that hat!
It’s great that his height is listed in eighths! Just look at that hat!
Big Zach said on 17/Sep/19
Hi Big Rob!
Is 5' 5" 7/8 his full peak height without shoes, or is this his height currently?
Editor Rob
Hi Big Rob!
Is 5' 5" 7/8 his full peak height without shoes, or is this his height currently?
Editor RobHe probably isn't over 5ft 5 nowadays, I could believe nearly 5ft 6 without shoes as the peak
Tai said on 19/Aug/19
Rob, how tall would you give his son (Lukas)? His band are currently backing Neil Young so I noticed he seems to wear a lot of boots and hats, doesn’t seem taller than his dad even now that his dad is in his 80s ?
Editor Rob
Rob, how tall would you give his son (Lukas)? His band are currently backing Neil Young so I noticed he seems to wear a lot of boots and hats, doesn’t seem taller than his dad even now that his dad is in his 80s ?
Editor Robyeah he could be 5ft 5-6 range
Johnny cash 6'3 said on 25/Feb/19
Willie Nelson- peak 5'7, now 5'6
Waylon Jennings- was a full 6'1
Johnny Cash- was 6'2, 6'3
Kris kristofferson- peak 5'11, now 5'10
Willie Nelson- peak 5'7, now 5'6
Waylon Jennings- was a full 6'1
Johnny Cash- was 6'2, 6'3
Kris kristofferson- peak 5'11, now 5'10
Sandy Cowell said on 5/Aug/18
My brother has just been watching a programme which didn't exactly float my boat, but I did notice Willie Nelson - with his hair in two plaits! Let me tell you, that it is a mighty comfortable hairstyle, especially in this boiling hot weather!
Willie seemed a really ace guy! He can have 5ft5 and seven-eighths!
My brother has just been watching a programme which didn't exactly float my boat, but I did notice Willie Nelson - with his hair in two plaits! Let me tell you, that it is a mighty comfortable hairstyle, especially in this boiling hot weather!
Willie seemed a really ace guy! He can have 5ft5 and seven-eighths!
bill uk said on 28/Nov/15
Great guy, smallish in stature with a giant talent ...wish I could meet him one day, well, I can dream can't I.
Great guy, smallish in stature with a giant talent ...wish I could meet him one day, well, I can dream can't I.
guest said on 4/Oct/15
He looks very short in Electric Horseman. Robert Redford looks small in that movie too. WN is a few inches shorter than RR in it.
He looks very short in Electric Horseman. Robert Redford looks small in that movie too. WN is a few inches shorter than RR in it.
CD said on 22/Jun/15
Rob would he measure in 5ft 4-5 range now he is in his 80s?
Editor Rob
Rob would he measure in 5ft 4-5 range now he is in his 80s?
Editor Rob at his age he probably will be around that now.
Ian C said on 17/Apr/15
Richard Keil, who was at least seven feet tall, was a bouncer. So was Clint Walker, at six foot-six. You look like those gents and you can bounce belligerent people with a kind word and a big grin, which is so much more efficient than showing them your certificate from the dojo, wouldn't you say?
I have met people who have met Willie, and they all say what a friendly, humble man he is, so I'm just saying that bar-bouncing was probably not a vocation suggested to him by his high school guidance counsellor.
Richard Keil, who was at least seven feet tall, was a bouncer. So was Clint Walker, at six foot-six. You look like those gents and you can bounce belligerent people with a kind word and a big grin, which is so much more efficient than showing them your certificate from the dojo, wouldn't you say?
I have met people who have met Willie, and they all say what a friendly, humble man he is, so I'm just saying that bar-bouncing was probably not a vocation suggested to him by his high school guidance counsellor.
George5008 said on 14/Apr/15
Height is measured from the head to the sky. Go Willie
Height is measured from the head to the sky. Go Willie
Eric said on 14/Apr/15
Willie is an expert martial artist, with black belts in a variety of catagories, this would surely make him a good bouncer in spite of his height.
Willie is an expert martial artist, with black belts in a variety of catagories, this would surely make him a good bouncer in spite of his height.
Sam said on 29/Oct/14
He looked pretty much a head shorter than Johnny Cash if Cash stood up straight and, despite his claim, is edged out by Bob Dylan (although not hugely). This listing is a good fit.
He looked pretty much a head shorter than Johnny Cash if Cash stood up straight and, despite his claim, is edged out by Bob Dylan (although not hugely). This listing is a good fit.
vinnie said on 3/Mar/14
5'4"...i met him while he was in Nelson filming a movie, my sister in law was his personal valet at the hotel he stayed at. We stood back to back, without our boots on...we are exactly the same height!
5'4"...i met him while he was in Nelson filming a movie, my sister in law was his personal valet at the hotel he stayed at. We stood back to back, without our boots on...we are exactly the same height!
wiltonstilts said on 21/Jul/13
Check out his recent mugshot "willie looks haggered is the caption" he appears to be n only 5 04 ..
Check out his recent mugshot "willie looks haggered is the caption" he appears to be n only 5 04 ..
wiltonstilts said on 10/Jul/13
He is much shorter than 5 07 you need to change this
Editor Rob
He is much shorter than 5 07 you need to change this
Editor Rob he's listed as a shade under 5ft 6 or 5ft 5.75, not 5ft 7.
Of course at his age he might be nearer 5ft 5 now
Of course at his age he might be nearer 5ft 5 now
Zach said on 13/Feb/13
Whomever puts Willie at 5'7 1/2" is a fool! Willie Nelson is NO more than 5'4" to 5'5" my wife is 5'5" we were in the Airport with Willie he had on boots my wife had on flats and they looked to be identical height wise!
Whomever puts Willie at 5'7 1/2" is a fool! Willie Nelson is NO more than 5'4" to 5'5" my wife is 5'5" we were in the Airport with Willie he had on boots my wife had on flats and they looked to be identical height wise!
Sam said on 5/Dec/12
Willie with Johnny Cash (+ Kristofferson & Jennings):
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Willie with Johnny Cash (+ Kristofferson & Jennings):
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Shaun said on 26/Aug/12
Dr. Steve Brule says on 29/Nov/10
He's about 5ft 3 and a half these days according to his mugshot photo Click Here Probably right considering he's 77. He was arrested a few days ago for setting fire to a plant and inhaling the smoke wot came off it.
Those markers again are two inches not one, same with Armie Hammer. The mugshot shows him at 5'7" in probably standard boots which give 1-1.5 inches. 5'5.75" looks spot on, he is in fact about 5'6".
Dr. Steve Brule says on 29/Nov/10
He's about 5ft 3 and a half these days according to his mugshot photo Click Here Probably right considering he's 77. He was arrested a few days ago for setting fire to a plant and inhaling the smoke wot came off it.
Those markers again are two inches not one, same with Armie Hammer. The mugshot shows him at 5'7" in probably standard boots which give 1-1.5 inches. 5'5.75" looks spot on, he is in fact about 5'6".
Musicman said on 16/Aug/12
Lol at 5ft 6in or even 5ft 5in! Back in the 80's I met Wille here in nashville in an elevator at the mall with my sister with me. I'm 5ft 10in barefoot and I had on very low soul tennis shoes that made me say 5ft 10 and a half. My sister is 5ft 4in and she and Willie were the same height and he had cowboy boots on! I towered over him looking down at the top of his head. he's no more than 5ft 3in max barefoot. I know I met him and talked awhile, he's a very nice, humble guy.
Lol at 5ft 6in or even 5ft 5in! Back in the 80's I met Wille here in nashville in an elevator at the mall with my sister with me. I'm 5ft 10in barefoot and I had on very low soul tennis shoes that made me say 5ft 10 and a half. My sister is 5ft 4in and she and Willie were the same height and he had cowboy boots on! I towered over him looking down at the top of his head. he's no more than 5ft 3in max barefoot. I know I met him and talked awhile, he's a very nice, humble guy.
Legend said on 27/Aug/11
He's 5'4 in the morning today.
He's 5'4 in the morning today.
jtm said on 30/Nov/10
he probably lost some height since he is 77.
he probably lost some height since he is 77.
Dr. Steve Brule said on 29/Nov/10
He's about 5ft 3 and a half these days according to his mugshot photo Click Here Probably right considering he's 77. He was arrested a few days ago for setting fire to a plant and inhaling the smoke wot came off it.
He's about 5ft 3 and a half these days according to his mugshot photo Click Here Probably right considering he's 77. He was arrested a few days ago for setting fire to a plant and inhaling the smoke wot came off it.
glenn said on 5/Mar/09
sam-thats possible.by a half inch at most.or the same in height.one thing is certain.willie isnt taller than dylan.
sam-thats possible.by a half inch at most.or the same in height.one thing is certain.willie isnt taller than dylan.
Doug said on 4/Mar/09
Looks 5'7" in boots, 5'6" barefoot slightly under, the man is clearly telling the honest truth.
Looks 5'7" in boots, 5'6" barefoot slightly under, the man is clearly telling the honest truth.
Sam said on 3/Mar/09
Glenn, do you think Bob Dylan is a bit taller than Willie?
Glenn, do you think Bob Dylan is a bit taller than Willie?
Anonymous said on 21/Dec/08
did mokin weed stunt his growth cause ive never heard of that
did mokin weed stunt his growth cause ive never heard of that
glenn said on 18/Nov/08
i agree runt.
i agree runt.
Haze said on 18/Nov/08
always though he was around this height. seems a good listing
always though he was around this height. seems a good listing
runt said on 17/Nov/08
He's wrong if he thinks he's taller than Bob Dylan
He's wrong if he thinks he's taller than Bob Dylan
glenn said on 17/Nov/08
yes,on most album covers he wears sneakers.brad is right.he is a sneaker man.with occasional boots.
yes,on most album covers he wears sneakers.brad is right.he is a sneaker man.with occasional boots.
Brad said on 14/Nov/08
Just in concert in regulars, red carpets in dress, Marty Stuart to bed.
Just in concert in regulars, red carpets in dress, Marty Stuart to bed.
glenn said on 14/Nov/08
the more i think about it,i do see pics of him in sneakers.maybe cause i always catch him at events? but is boots for a 5-6 country guy a surprise?
the more i think about it,i do see pics of him in sneakers.maybe cause i always catch him at events? but is boots for a 5-6 country guy a surprise?
glenn said on 14/Nov/08
sneakers is possible.i always seem to catch him in boots.5-6 is correct leonari.
sneakers is possible.i always seem to catch him in boots.5-6 is correct leonari.
Brad said on 13/Nov/08
Willie in boots? I've seen him in sneakers lots of times.
Willie in boots? I've seen him in sneakers lots of times.
leonari said on 13/Nov/08
Glenn: so he is taller than 5'6"??
Glenn: so he is taller than 5'6"??
glenn said on 13/Nov/08
im only a half inch taller and he is in boots.doesnt add up.
im only a half inch taller and he is in boots.doesnt add up.
Brad said on 13/Nov/08
Willie is 5' 6".
Willie is 5' 6".
sam said on 13/Aug/07
Here is another Bob Dylan and Willie photo, here looking much closer to each other in height:
Click Here
This time it's a question of dueling cowboy hats. Willie still looks the shorter of the two despite his claim above.
Here is another Bob Dylan and Willie photo, here looking much closer to each other in height:
Click Here
This time it's a question of dueling cowboy hats. Willie still looks the shorter of the two despite his claim above.
Ancient Aztec guy said on 21/May/07
I saw a picture of Willie Nelson and 5'7" George Jones(NOT TOM JONES!!!)and they appeared to be about the same height. Although I saw him stand next to 6'1.5" Johnny Cash and he appeared to be 5'9" in the highway men. Also just a comment on Editor Rob you are a funny feller!!!
I saw a picture of Willie Nelson and 5'7" George Jones(NOT TOM JONES!!!)and they appeared to be about the same height. Although I saw him stand next to 6'1.5" Johnny Cash and he appeared to be 5'9" in the highway men. Also just a comment on Editor Rob you are a funny feller!!!
Glenn said on 19/Jan/07
5-6 is correct.
5-6 is correct.
Robert.R said on 18/Jan/07
In his biography he says 5'7" but I think 5'6" is more accurate.
In his biography he says 5'7" but I think 5'6" is more accurate.
sam said on 16/Nov/06
There is a picture on this website of Willie with Dylan that seems to show Willie wrong, since Willie looks at least 2 inches shorter than Bob. Bob may be wearing lifts, because he even seems to be leaning over and still skies over an upright Nelson. The website (can't provide a direct to photo, but it is in "Bob & Celebs" gallery):
Click Here
There is a picture on this website of Willie with Dylan that seems to show Willie wrong, since Willie looks at least 2 inches shorter than Bob. Bob may be wearing lifts, because he even seems to be leaning over and still skies over an upright Nelson. The website (can't provide a direct to photo, but it is in "Bob & Celebs" gallery):
Click Here
Derek said on 19/Sep/06
Short guy but one of the best musicians ever.
Short guy but one of the best musicians ever.
Glenn said on 19/Sep/06
That height is correct.great guy.in fact,known to be maybe in the top 3 best.
That height is correct.great guy.in fact,known to be maybe in the top 3 best.
Glenn said on 19/Sep/06
That height is correct.
That height is correct.
Heights are barefeet estimates, derived from quotations, official websites, agency resumes, in person encounters with actors at conventions and pictures/films.
Other vital statistics like weight or shoe size measurements have been sourced from newspapers, books, resumes or social media.
Celebrity Fan Photos and Agency Pictures of stars are © to their respective owners.