Darth Vader Height — How Tall Is the Sith Lord?

Darth Vader’s official canonical height is approximately 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm)—this is his in-universe height, and the actor in the suit, David Prowse, was around 6 feet 6 inches.
That single line resolves most of the “6’6 vs 6’7” confusion: character height ≠ actor height, and costume/boots + official rounding can shift the number you see.
Darth Vader Height in Star Wars Canon
Official canon listing: StarWars.com’s Databank gives Darth Vader’s height as 2.03 meters.
That metric value is commonly expressed in imperial as about 6’8″, and many summaries round it to ~6’7″ depending on how conversion/rounding is handled.
Canon height (most-cited forms)
Feet & inches: ~6’7″–6’8″
Centimeters: ~203 cm (from 2.03 m)
Does this include the suit and boots?
Practically, yes. Vader is almost never seen without armor, and the Databank lists a single “height” figure for the character. The on-screen Vader silhouette also benefits from:
thick-soled/heeled boots
a tall helmet profile
broad shoulder armor (which increases perceived size)
So when fans argue “Vader is 6’6” without the suit,” they’re usually mixing actor height with costumed character height, rather than quoting one consistent in-universe measurement.
How Tall Was the Actor Who Played Darth Vader?
David Prowse’s height (the body performer in the Original Trilogy)
David Prowse—the primary on-set, in-suit Darth Vader in the original trilogy—was widely listed at 6’6″ (1.98 m).
Why that still doesn’t equal “Darth Vader’s height”
The suit can add slight height, especially through boot soles and posture-enhancing costuming.
The character’s official height is treated as an in-universe stat, not a biography entry for an actor.
Quick clarity on the voice (so nobody mixes this up)
Darth Vader’s voice was famously provided by James Earl Jones, while Prowse performed the physical role on set.
So “Darth Vader real height” questions should specify whether they mean the character’s canon height or the man inside the suit.
Why Darth Vader Appears Even Taller on Screen
Even if you accept the canon figure (2.03 m), Vader often reads as bigger than the number. That’s not an accident—film language is doing work.
Low-angle shots and camera placement
Vader is frequently framed from below, which:
lengthens the body visually
emphasizes dominance and threat
makes nearby characters look smaller by comparison
Boots and stance
Costume design favors a heavy, planted silhouette:
thicker soles / elevated footwear can add a bit of height
an upright, squared posture makes him “tower,” even in neutral dialogue scenes
Helmet and shoulder armor
Vader’s helmet increases vertical profile, and the shoulder armor expands width—together they create a larger “hitbox” on screen, which viewers interpret as taller even when the difference is partly shape rather than raw height.
Cinematic framing
Directors often compose shots so Vader occupies:
the center vertical axis of the frame
doorways, corridors, or background lines that act like height rulers
Result: your brain registers “this character is huge,” sometimes more strongly than the measured number suggests.
Darth Vader Height Compared to Other Star Wars Characters
Using StarWars.com Databank heights as a consistent canon reference:
Darth Vader vs Luke Skywalker
Darth Vader: 2.03 m (≈ 6’7″–6’8″)
Luke Skywalker: 1.72 m (≈ 5’8″)
Takeaway: Vader is roughly 31 cm (about 12 inches) taller than Luke by Databank listings.
Darth Vader vs Obi-Wan Kenobi
Darth Vader: 2.03 m
Obi-Wan Kenobi: 1.82 m (≈ 6’0″)
Takeaway: Vader is roughly 21 cm (about 8 inches) taller than Obi-Wan by Databank listings.
This is part of why the original trilogy staging makes Vader feel so physically imposing: he’s canonically tall and framed to look even larger.
Quick Facts About Darth Vader
| Character name | Height | Height in cm | Portrayed by | First appearance | Universe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darth Vader | ~6’7″–6’8″ | 203 cm | David Prowse (body), James Earl Jones (voice) | Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) | Canon |
Notes on sourcing: Vader’s 2.03 m height comes from the official StarWars.com Databank. Prowse’s commonly listed height is 6’6″ (1.98 m). The Databank also lists Luke at 1.72 m and Obi-Wan at 1.82 m.
FAQs About Darth Vader’s Height
How tall is Darth Vader?
In Star Wars canon reference listings, Darth Vader is 2.03 m, commonly expressed as about 6’7″–6’8″.
Is Darth Vader taller than 6’6”?
Canon listings put him taller than 6’6″. The most-used official figure is 2.03 m (≈ 6’8″).
The 6’6″ number is often tied to David Prowse’s height, not the character’s.
How tall was the actor inside the suit?
David Prowse (the primary in-suit performer in the original trilogy) is widely listed at 6’6″ (1.98 m).
Does the suit add height?
Yes—typically a little. Boots, helmet profile, and the way the costume enforces posture can increase perceived height, and sometimes add slight literal height depending on footwear/soles. (That’s why “Darth Vader height” and “Darth Vader actor height” don’t match perfectly.)
Is Darth Vader taller than Luke Skywalker?
Yes. StarWars.com lists:
Vader: 2.03 m
Luke: 1.72 m
That’s about a 31 cm (~12 inch) difference.
Conclusion
For searchers who want the clean answer: Darth Vader’s canon height is listed at 2.03 m (about 6’7″–6’8″).
The recurring “6’6 vs 6’7” confusion is mostly solved by separating:
In-universe height (Databank stat): 2.03 m
Actor height (David Prowse): ~6’6″
…and remembering the suit, boots, framing, and rounding are all part of why Vader looks (and is listed) slightly taller than the man inside the armor.






