You’ve seen him. Whether it was as the terrifying Ser Gregor Clegane crushing skulls in Game of Thrones or as a shirtless behemoth pulling half a ton of steel off the ground in a garage in Iceland, the man is impossible to miss. He is a literal giant. But when you start looking into hafþór júlíus björnsson height, you realize the internet is a mess of conflicting numbers. Some say 6'9". Others swear he’s 6'7". A few reddit threads even claim he’s "only" 6'8".
What's the truth?
Honestly, the official number most people stick with is 205 cm, which translates to 6 feet 9 inches. But height in the world of professional strongmen and Hollywood is a weird thing. It’s a bit like "pro-wrestling height"—it fluctuates depending on who’s writing the press release.
The Genetic Lottery of the Björnsson Family
Thor didn't just wake up one day and decide to be huge. He’s the product of some serious Icelandic genetics. His father, Björn, stands at 203 cm (about 6'8"). His grandfather, Reynir, was actually even taller than both of them, measuring in at a staggering 210.5 cm (6'11").
Basically, the guy was born to be a mountain.
It’s interesting to think about because we often see tall guys who are lanky. Think of a basketball player. They’re 6'10" but weigh 220 pounds. Hafþór is a different breed of human. At his heaviest, during his 2020 world-record deadlift, he wasn't just 6'9"—he was 452 pounds (205 kg). That is a terrifying amount of mass to pack onto any frame. When you have that much muscle, it actually makes you look shorter in photos because your width is so immense.
He's wide. Like, "can't fit through a standard doorway" wide.
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Measuring Up: Thor vs. The World
To really understand hafþór júlíus björnsson height, you have to see him next to other "tall" people.
Take Eddie Hall, his long-time rival. Eddie is about 6'3". In the normal world, 6'3" is a big dude. You're the tallest guy in most rooms. But when Eddie stands next to Thor, he looks like a younger brother. There is a clear 6-inch gap between them. This height difference played a massive role in their 2022 boxing match. Thor’s reach was so long that Eddie had to basically sprint just to get within punching range.
Then there’s the "Dutch Giant," Olivier Richters. Olivier is 7'2". There is a famous video of them meeting where Thor, for perhaps the first time in his life, looks small. He actually laughs and says he’s "never felt this small before." It’s a surreal sight.
- Hafþór Björnsson: 6'9" (205 cm)
- Eddie Hall: 6'3" (190 cm)
- Brian Shaw: 6'8" (203 cm)
- Olivier Richters: 7'2" (218 cm)
Most people don't realize that being that tall is actually a disadvantage in some strongman events. For example, in the deadlift, a taller athlete has to pull the bar a greater distance than a shorter athlete. However, when it comes to the Atlas Stones? That height is a superpower. Being able to reach over the platform without having to fully extend is a massive "cheat code" that Thor used to dominate for years.
The "Shrinking" Mystery
Why do some fans think he’s shorter?
There was a moment on social media where Thor met a fan who was 6'8", and they looked almost identical in height. Some people jumped on this, claiming Thor had been "lying" about his 6'9" stats. But here’s the thing about being a professional athlete who carries 400+ pounds: spinal compression is real.
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Think about it.
If you spend a decade putting 500, 700, or 1,000 pounds on your back for squats and yoke walks, your intervertebral discs are going to take a beating. It is scientifically documented that heavy lifting can cause temporary (and sometimes permanent) loss of height due to disc compression. Most humans are about a half-inch shorter by the end of the day just from gravity. Now imagine gravity plus a 1,500-pound wooden log on your shoulders.
He’s 6'9" on paper. He might be 6'8" after a heavy leg day. Does it really matter? Not really. You’re still looking up at him regardless.
From Basketball to the Big Screen
Before he was "The Mountain," Thor was actually a basketball player. He played as a center for several teams in Iceland. Back then, he was much leaner, which made his height look even more dramatic. An injury to his ankle eventually forced him out of the game, which, looking back, was probably the best thing that ever happened to his career.
When he was cast in Game of Thrones, the producers were specifically looking for someone who could make a regular human look like a toy. They had used other actors for Gregor Clegane in earlier seasons, but they weren't "Mountain" enough. Hafþór brought a level of physical presence that was genuinely intimidating.
Why Weight Matters More Than Height
While the hafþór júlíus björnsson height gets the clicks, his weight fluctuations are actually more impressive.
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- Peak Strongman (2018-2020): 450 lbs+
- Boxing Weight (2022): 335 lbs
- Current Return to Strength: Climbing back toward 400 lbs
When he leaned down for boxing, he lost over 100 pounds. He looked like a completely different human. Even though his height stayed the same, the "aura" changed. He went from looking like a boulder to looking like a Greek god carved out of granite. This transformation proved that his height isn't just a gimmick; he has the discipline to manipulate his body composition in ways most people can't imagine.
Actionable Insights for the "Tall and Strong"
If you're a tall person looking to build a physique like Thor (or at least a version of it), there are a few things you need to know.
First, ignore the scale. Tall frames need more mass to look "filled out." If you're 6'5" and weigh 200 pounds, you'll look skinny. You need to focus on compound movements like the deadlift and overhead press to build that "thick" look Thor is known for.
Second, watch your joints. Thor has been very vocal about the toll his career has taken on his body. High-impact sports are tough on long limbs. Mobility work isn't optional; it's a requirement.
Lastly, eat. You cannot maintain a 6'9" frame with 2,500 calories a day. At his peak, Thor was eating 10,000 calories. That’s six or seven meals a day, mostly steak, rice, and potatoes.
The hafþór júlíus björnsson height is a freak of nature, sure. But the work he put into that frame is what made him a legend.
Next Steps for You:
If you're inspired by Thor's stature, start by tracking your vertical measurements once a month—ideally in the morning—to see how your own training impacts your posture and spinal health. If you are training for strength, prioritize "posterior chain" exercises like Romanian Deadlifts to protect your back, which is the most vulnerable part of a tall athlete's body.