Honestly, if you've ever watched Cobra Kai and wondered how tall is William Zabka, you aren't alone. One minute he’s looming over a student, looking like a massive wall of muscle, and the next, he’s standing eye-to-eye with Ralph Macchio. It’s confusing. Most of the internet just guesses, but when you look at the actual stats and how they film these scenes, the truth is way more interesting than just a number on a measuring tape.
William Zabka stands approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall.
Some sources will swear he’s 6 feet flat. Others, usually on deep-dive Reddit threads, claim he’s closer to 5'10" because of how he looks next to other actors. But the consensus across most industry profiles like ScreenRant and IMDb suggests that 5'11" (or about 180 cm) is the sweet spot. He isn't a giant, but he has those "long, lanky limbs" he’s joked about in interviews, which makes his martial arts kicks look way more intimidating and "reachy" than they might otherwise.
The Ralph Macchio Comparison Trick
Here is the thing. Ralph Macchio is around 5'9". On screen, Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso often look like they are exactly the same height during those tense, face-to-face standoffs. That's not an accident. It’s "forced perspective."
Directors want that tension. If Johnny was clearly looking down at Daniel, it changes the power dynamic of the rivalry. To keep things feeling even, they’ll sometimes have Ralph stand a bit closer to the camera or wear shoes with a slightly thicker sole. Or, they just frame the shot so your brain ignores the two-inch difference.
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Actually, in the original Karate Kid, the height difference was more obvious because they were just kids. Zabka was a high school wrestler back then, and he had a naturally athletic, broader frame that made him feel like a physical threat to the "skinny kid from Jersey."
Why his build matters more than his height
Height is just one part of the equation. Zabka has a specific kind of physical presence. He was born on October 20, 1965, in New York City and spent his youth as a competitive wrestler before he ever touched a karate gi.
When he got the role of Johnny Lawrence, he didn't actually know karate. He had to learn it from Pat Johnson, a legendary trainer who was a 9th-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do under Chuck Norris. Johnson didn't just teach him moves; he taught him how to move big. Because Zabka has a wider wingspan, those "flying side kicks" looked absolutely lethal.
- Height: ~5'11" (180 cm)
- Weight: Usually floats around 165–175 lbs depending on the season
- Reach: Noticeably longer than the average guy his height
He’s mentioned before that in the second film, The Karate Kid Part II, he had more time to train and get comfortable with his own body. He wasn't just a kid who hit a growth spurt anymore; he was becoming a legitimate martial artist. He eventually earned a black belt in Tang Soo Do in real life, which is probably why he still moves so well in Cobra Kai at age 60.
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Does he look different in Cobra Kai?
It's funny how aging works in Hollywood. In the 80s, Zabka was the "lanky bully." Fast forward to 2026, and as Johnny Lawrence, he looks more solid. He’s bulked up a bit in the shoulders, which can actually make a person look slightly shorter because they’re wider.
He’s often seen standing next to the "new generation" of kids in the show. Xolo Maridueña (who plays Miguel) is reportedly around 5'10", and Tanner Buchanan (Robby) is closer to 5'8" or 5'9". When Johnny stands next to them, he definitely maintains that "sensei" stature. He still has that height advantage that makes the "Sweep the Leg" energy feel real.
The "Hollywood Height" Myth
You have to take every celebrity height with a grain of salt. Actors are notorious for adding an inch or two to their resumes. If a guy is 5'10.5", he’s going to say he’s 6 feet. It’s just how the business works.
However, Zabka has always been pretty grounded about his physicality. He doesn't carry himself like a guy trying to look bigger than he is. He’s comfortable in his skin. Whether he’s surfing, scuba diving, or river rafting—all hobbies he actually does—he’s just an active, athletic guy who happens to be the most famous "bad guy" in karate history.
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What you can learn from Johnny's Stature
If you’re trying to figure out how tall William Zabka is because you’re comparing yourself to him, remember that his "look" comes from his posture and his background in wrestling and martial arts.
- Focus on posture. Zabka stands like a guy who’s ready to spar. That makes him look taller than someone who slumps.
- Functional fitness. He didn't get that look from just lifting weights; it was from hours of choreography and Tang Soo Do.
- Embrace the "Lanky" look. If you have long limbs like he does, use them. In martial arts, reach is a massive advantage.
Basically, William Zabka is the quintessential 5'11" guy who knows how to use every inch of that height to command a room—or a dojo. He’s lived a full life as an Oscar-nominated filmmaker (for the short film Most) and a musician, but he’ll always be the guy who made being 5'11" look like a superpower.
If you’re looking to improve your own physical presence or start a martial arts journey like he did later in life, the best step is to find a local Tang Soo Do or traditional Karate dojo. Focus on flexibility and "big" movements. You might not grow any taller, but you’ll definitely start standing like a sensei.