“Napoleon Bonaparte was exceptionally short.”

The widely held belief that Napoleon Bonaparte was exceptionally short is a persistent myth, largely stemming from a combination of deliberate propaganda and a misunderstanding of historical measurement systems. During the Napoleonic Wars, British caricaturists, most notably James Gillray, frequently depicted Napoleon as a tiny, temperamental figure, labeling him "Little Boney" in their widely circulated satirical cartoons. This visual propaganda was a strategic effort to belittle and undermine the formidable French emperor in the eyes of the public.

Historically, records indicate that Napoleon's height at the time of his death was approximately 5 feet 2 inches in old French units. However, the French "inch" (pouce) of that era was longer than the modern or British imperial inch. When converted to contemporary measurements, Napoleon stood around 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) or 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters) tall. This height was considered average, or even slightly above average, for a Frenchman in the early 19th century, when the typical male height ranged from about 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 6 inches.

The enduring misconception is also fueled by the fact that Napoleon was often seen surrounded by his elite Imperial Guard, who were specifically chosen for their imposing stature and often wore tall bearskin hats, making him appear comparatively smaller. Additionally, his affectionate nickname, "Le Petit Caporal" (The Little Corporal), given by his soldiers, was a term of endearment acknowledging his bravery and direct engagement with troops, not a literal comment on his physical size. These factors combined to solidify an inaccurate image that continues to resonate in popular culture.