When you think about the biggest icons in rock history, Elton John is usually right at the top of the list. He’s a giant. But if you’ve ever seen him standing next to a grand piano or walking a red carpet, you’ve probably wondered if that "giant" status is more about his personality than his actual physical stature.
The question of how tall is Elton John has been a topic of fan debate for decades, mostly because the man is a master of visual illusion. Between the ten-inch platform boots of the 1970s and the flamboyant headwear, pinpointing his actual height can feel like a moving target.
The Straight Answer: Sir Elton’s Physical Height
Let's get the numbers out of the way first. Sir Elton John is roughly 5 feet 8 inches tall (about 173 cm).
That’s a pretty solid, average height for a man of his generation. However, if you look at photos of him today, he might seem a bit shorter than that. Like most of us, humans tend to lose a little height as they age due to spinal compression. For a man born in 1947, being 5'8" in his prime was completely standard.
Yet, for someone who once performed dressed as the Statue of Liberty or a giant Donald Duck, "standard" is the last word you’d use to describe him.
Why We All Thought He Was Taller (The Platform Era)
In the 1970s, you would have sworn the man was six feet tall. That wasn't a growth spurt; it was engineering.
Elton's footwear during the Glam Rock era wasn't just a fashion choice; it was an architectural feat. He famously wore platform boots that added anywhere from 5 to 7 inches to his frame. Some of his most iconic stage-worn boots, like the silver leather ones with the red "E" and "J" initials, featured heels reaching over 7 inches.
"He started with 2-inch platforms around 1970 and went up one platform each year, roughly!" — Lionel Avery, co-designer of Elton's boots.
When you’re standing 5'8" and you strap on 7-inch heels, you're suddenly looking down at most of the room. It gave him a presence on stage that matched the booming sound of his Yamaha piano. It’s also why, when he’s seen in more "normal" shoes or sneakers today, the contrast makes him look smaller than we remember.
How He Compares to Other Legends
To get a real sense of his height, it helps to see him next to his peers.
- John Lennon: Elton’s dear friend was about 5'10". In photos of them together in the mid-70s, they often look similar in height because Elton was usually "boosted" by his boots.
- Bernie Taupin: His long-time lyricist is around 5'6". In many candid shots where they are both in casual shoes, Elton is clearly the taller of the two.
- Rod Stewart: Rod is roughly 5'10", and you can usually see that slight edge when the two of them are standing side-by-side at charity events.
- Taron Egerton: The actor who played him in Rocketman is about 5'9". This was one of those rare cases where the actor was almost the exact same size as the person they were portraying, which helped make the physical performance feel so authentic.
The "Shrinking" Celebrity Myth
There is a common misconception that Elton is "tiny." Honestly, he isn't. But in the world of Hollywood and global superstardom, "average" can often look "short."
If you see him standing next to someone like Taylor Swift (who is 5'11") or a tall actor, the height difference is jarring. Plus, Elton has spent a massive portion of his 60-year career sitting down. When your primary instrument is a piano, your physical height is less relevant than your "wingspan" and your presence behind the keys.
Dealing with the Height Question Personally
Elton has never really seemed insecure about his height—if anything, he leaned into it. Using massive shoes to become a literal giant on stage shows a level of confidence most people don't have. He took a physical trait and turned it into a core part of his legendary aesthetic.
Interestingly, some police records and older press clippings from his early touring days sometimes listed him at 5'7", which suggests he might have been slightly under the 5'8" mark or perhaps just didn't mind how people perceived him.
Actionable Takeaway: Seeing the Real Elton
If you’re ever at a museum or an auction house like Christie's (which recently handled a massive sale of his Atlanta home's contents), take a look at his suits. His stage outfits are surprisingly compact. They reveal the frame of a man who was sturdy and athletic in his youth but certainly not a "big" man in the traditional sense.
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What to do next:
- Check out the "Rocketman" costumes: If you’re ever in London or at a film exhibit, look at the costumes. They are scaled to a 5'9" frame, giving you a real-world sense of his proportions.
- Look for candid 80s photos: To see his "true" height without the 70s platforms or the older age compression, look at photos from the Live Aid era. Standing near the other performers on that stage gives the best "natural" baseline for his stature.
- Appreciate the scale: Remember that height is just a number. Whether he’s 5'8" or 5'2" in his later years, the impact he has made on music is immeasurable.
Sir Elton John proves that you don't need to be 6'4" to command a room—sometimes, you just need a great pair of glasses and the talent to back them up.