If you’ve ever seen a photo of Gigi Hadid walking down a New York City sidewalk, she looks like she’s about eight feet tall. Honestly, it’s the legs. They just keep going. But when you look at the actual numbers, the height of Gigi Hadid is a bit of a moving target depending on who you ask—or which agency portfolio you’re clicking on.
She’s tall. Really tall.
Most official sources, including her primary agency IMG Models, list the height of Gigi Hadid at 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm). However, if you scour old interviews or different regional agency boards, you’ll sometimes see her listed at 5 feet 10 inches or even 5 feet 9 and a half. Why the discrepancy? In the modeling world, height is currency. Sometimes a half-inch gets rounded up to hit that "statuesque" supermodel gold standard.
The "Real" Height of Gigi Hadid vs. the Runway Stats
There is a huge difference between a "modeling height" and a "doctor’s office height."
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Basically, agencies want their top girls to be as imposing as possible. When Gigi first burst onto the scene, people were obsessed with her body type because she wasn't the typical "waif" thin model. She had muscle. She played competitive volleyball in high school. That athletic background gave her a posture that makes her look even more commanding than her sister, Bella.
Speaking of Bella, did you know she’s actually shorter? Bella Hadid is usually listed around 5 feet 8.5 inches or 5 feet 9 inches. When the sisters stand next to each other in flat shoes, the height of Gigi Hadid is clearly superior. She has that extra couple of inches that makes her a natural fit for high-fashion runway shows where the clothes are literally designed for women who are 5'10" and up.
Why 5'11" is the Magic Number
In the industry, being 5'11" puts you in the same tier as legends like Karlie Kloss (who is even taller at 6'2") and Gisele Bündchen.
It’s about the "sample size."
Most designers at Paris or Milan Fashion Week create their runway pieces for a specific frame. If a model is too short, the pants bunch at the ankles. If she’s too tall, they look like capris. The height of Gigi Hadid is essentially the industry's "perfect hanger." She fits the 33.5-inch to 35-inch inseam that designers love.
Measuring Up: Gigi Compared to Other Celebs
It’s always funny to see Gigi next to "normal" sized people. Or even next to famous boyfriends.
- Zayn Malik: Her former partner and the father of her daughter, Khai, is reportedly about 5 feet 9 inches. When Gigi wore heels, she towered over him.
- Taylor Swift: Taylor is famous for being a "tall girl" at 5 feet 10 inches. When they’re photographed together, they look almost identical in height, though Gigi’s heels often give her the edge.
- Kendall Jenner: Kendall is also 5'10". These two are basically the blueprint for the modern supermodel height.
Some skeptics on forums like Reddit or CelebHeights argue that Gigi might actually be 5'9.5" in bare feet. They point to photos of her next to other models where she doesn't look like a full 5'11". But let's be real—at that level of height, a half-inch doesn't change the fact that she’s taller than 98% of the female population.
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The Volleyball Factor
Gigi wasn't just a girl who happened to grow tall. She was a varsity volleyball player at Malibu High School.
Think about that.
Competitive sports at that age help develop bone density and incredible posture. When you're a hitter in volleyball, you learn how to extend your frame. This is likely why she looks so much more comfortable in her skin than models who are scouted at 13 and told to "act tall." She already was the tall girl on the team.
Does Height Still Matter in 2026?
Honestly, the industry is changing, but not that much. While we see more diversity in shapes and sizes, the height of Gigi Hadid remains the gold standard for high-fashion editorial work. It's about the silhouette. A 5'11" frame allows a long coat or a floor-length gown to flow in a way that just doesn't happen on someone who is 5'5".
Is she "too tall" for anything? Rarely. In Hollywood, being 5'11" can actually be a hurdle for actresses because it makes casting leading men difficult, but in the world of luxury brands like Chanel and Versace, there is no such thing as too tall.
How to Use This Information
If you’re trying to emulate Gigi’s style, you have to account for her verticality. Her "model off-duty" look often involves:
- High-waisted trousers: These accentuate the 34-inch+ inseam.
- Pointed-toe boots: These add even more visual length to her legs.
- Cropped jackets: By shortening the torso, she makes her legs look like they go on forever.
If you're nowhere near the height of Gigi Hadid, don't sweat it. Most of her iconic looks are about proportions, not just raw inches. You can mimic the "tall" aesthetic by playing with high-waisted cuts and monochromatic outfits that don't "break" the eye's line.
For those tracking celebrity stats for professional reasons—like modeling aspirations or fashion design—always use the 5'11" figure as the official benchmark. It’s what the booking agents use, and in that world, the official portfolio is the only truth that matters.
Check out the latest runway archives from the 2025/2026 season to see how Gigi’s height influenced the drape of the latest collections. If you’re building a portfolio of your own, remember that posture and "presence" often matter more than the number on the measuring tape.