How tall is an emperor penguin?

An emperor penguin stands up to 45 in (114.3 cm) from the ground to the head (adult attainable height).

Emperor penguin: up to 45 in (114.3 cm) standing, ground to head (adult attainable height); Average US man: 5 ft 9 in (175.1 cm).Emperor penguin: up to 45 in (114.3 cm), measured to the head. Average US man: 5 ft 9 in (175.1 cm).

What an emperor penguin’s height measures

This is a published species or breed reference, not a prediction for an individual animal. Where a range is supplied, both ends appear with the reading. Shoulder height and head height are kept apart when comparing animals.

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Published height

up to 45 in (114.3 cm)

An emperor penguin stands up to 45 in (114.3 cm) from the ground to the head (adult attainable height). Standing, ground to head (adult attainable height).

Source: US Government Publishing Office

Compared with an emperor penguin

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Cite this page
APAHeightvs. (2026, October 22). How tall is an emperor penguin? Drawn to scale. https://heightvs.com/how-tall/emperor-penguin
MLA“How Tall Is an Emperor Penguin? Drawn to Scale.” Heightvs, 22 Oct. 2026, heightvs.com/how-tall/emperor-penguin.
Chicago“How Tall Is an Emperor Penguin? Drawn to Scale.” Heightvs. Last modified October 22, 2026. https://heightvs.com/how-tall/emperor-penguin.
Link<a href="https://heightvs.com/how-tall/emperor-penguin">How tall is an emperor penguin? Drawn to scale (Heightvs)</a>

For the height itself, cite the original publisher as well: US Government Publishing Office.

Draw yourself beside an emperor penguin

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An emperor penguin, 3 ft 9 in (114.3 cm), drawn to scale beside a Shackleford horse, 3 ft 8 in (111.8 cm)