Quick Facts: Tallest People in the World (2025)
- Tallest Man Alive: Sultan Kösen, Turkey, ~246 cm.
- Others near 246 cm: Brahim Takioullah, Dharmendra Pratap Singh, Morteza Mehrzad.
- China’s tallest: Zhang Juncai (242 cm).
- Pakistan’s tallest: Naseer Soomro (238 cm).
- Tunisia’s tallest: Radhouane Charbib (236 cm).
Who is the tallest person alive today? As of 2025, the record still belongs to Sultan Kösen from Turkey, standing at ~246 cm (8 ft 1 in). However, there are several other extraordinary individuals who stand out above the rest of the world.
This list brings you the latest verified heights of the tallest living people across the globe, with details about their lives, conditions, and records.
Quick Comparison Table
| Rank | Name | Height | Country | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sultan Kösen | 246 cm (8 ft 1 in) | Turkey | Guinness World Record holder |
| 2 | Brahim Takioullah | 246 cm (8 ft 1 in) | Morocco / France | Largest feet size 58 |
| 3 | Dharmendra Pratap Singh | 246 cm (8 ft 1 in) | India | “Tallest Man in India” |
| 4 | Morteza Mehrzad Selakjani | 246 cm (8 ft 1 in) | Iran | Paralympic volleyball gold medalist |
| 5 | Zhang Juncai | 242 cm (7 ft 11 in) | China | Tallest man in China |
| 6 | Asadullah Khan | 241 cm (7 ft 11 in) | India | Among tallest in Asia |
| 7 | Naseer Soomro | 238 cm (7 ft 10 in) | Pakistan | Engineer & poet |
| 8 | Sun Mingming | 236 cm (7 ft 9 in) | China | Tallest basketball player ever |
| 9 | Bao Xishun | 236 cm (7 ft 9 in) | China (Inner Mongolia) | Ex-army, famous dolphin rescue |
| 10 | Radhouane Charbib | 236 cm (7 ft 9 in) | Tunisia | Guinness tallest man until 2005 |
Sultan Kösen (Turkey, ~246 cm) — Tallest Man Alive
Dangi (54.6 cm) is considered the smallest living person, and Kosen (251 cm) is a Turkish farmer who holds the Guinness World Record for tallest living male.
EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA — Image by © FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/epa/Corbis
The tallest living man since 2009, Sultan Kösen suffers from pituitary gigantism. He holds Guinness World Records for height, large hands, and massive feet. Despite mobility issues, he works as a farmer and media personality.
- Uses crutches, but active in media and farming.
- Height: 246 cm (8 ft 1 in)
- Holds Guinness record since 2009.
- Rare condition: pituitary gigantism.
Brahim Takioullah (Morocco/France, ~246 cm)
Known for having the world’s largest feet (size 58), Brahim grew unusually tall due to a tumor. After surgery, his growth stabilized. Today, he lives in France and works at an amusement park.
- Height: 246 cm (8 ft 1 in)
- Holds the record for the largest feet size 58.
- Lives in France, works in an amusement park.
Dharmendra Pratap Singh (India, ~246 cm)
India’s tallest man, Singh is well known in politics and public life. His towering frame brings fame, but also challenges in employment, marriage, and health (he underwent hip replacement in 2019).
- Height: 246 cm (8 ft 1 in)
- Known as the tallest man in India.
- Political involvement (Samajwadi Party).
Morteza Mehrzad Selakjani (Iran, ~246 cm)
Iran’s tallest man and Paralympic volleyball champion. Despite one leg being shorter after an accident, he used his height to dominate sitting volleyball, winning gold at Rio 2016.
- Height: 246 cm (8 ft 1 in)
- Paralympic sitting volleyball gold medalist (Rio 2016).
- Inspiring sports figure.
Zhang Juncai
China’s tallest man was declared in 2004. His height made him a national figure, and he continues to attract attention for being one of the tallest verified people worldwide.
- Height: 242 cm (7 ft 11 in)
- Recognized as China’s tallest man.
Asadullah Khan (India, 241 cm)
Born in 1988, Khan is among Asia’s tallest men. Despite his extraordinary height, poverty has forced him into labor jobs. His story highlights the struggles of tall individuals in less supportive environments.
- Height: 241 cm (7 ft 11 in)
- Known regionally as one of Asia’s tallest men.
Naseer Soomro (Pakistan, 238 cm)
An engineer and poet, Soomro balances a professional career with his literary passion. Author of five poetry books, he is celebrated for his intellect as much as for his height.
- Height: 238 cm (7 ft 10 in)
- Engineer, poet, and author of five books.
Sun Mingming (China, 236 cm)
The tallest professional basketball player in history. He played in leagues across the US, Mexico, Japan, and China, and later appeared in films like Rush Hour 3.
- Height: 236 cm (7 ft 9 in)
- Tallest basketball player in history.
- Played in US minor leagues, Mexico, Japan, and China.
Bao Xishun (China, 236 cm)
Former Guinness World Record holder, Bao is remembered for his unique act of saving a dolphin’s life in 2006 by using his long arms to remove ingested glass.
- Height: 236 cm (7 ft 9 in)
- Famous for dolphin rescue with his long arms.
- Held the Guinness title until 2009.
Radhouane Charbib (Tunisia, 236 cm)
Guinness title holder until 2005, Charbib remains among the tallest people alive. His record was narrowly broken by Bao Xishun by just 2 millimeters.
- Height: 236 cm (7 ft 9 in)
- Guinness’s tallest man alive until 2005.
FAQ
A. Sultan Kösen of Turkey, at ~246 cm (8 ft 1 in).
Yes, verified by Guinness World Records and credible reports.
A. Yes, if they haven’t been verified or publicly recorded.
A. No living person is 9 feet tall. The tallest verified living person is Sultan Kösen at ~8 ft 1 in. The tallest man ever recorded was Robert Wadlow (1918–1940) at 8 ft 11 in.
A. The Netherlands is often ranked as the country with the tallest average height. Dutch men average around 183 cm (6 ft 0 in), and Dutch women around 170 cm (5 ft 7 in).
A. The verified top 10 tallest living people include Sultan Kösen, Brahim Takioullah, Dharmendra Pratap Singh, Morteza Mehrzad, Zhang Juncai, Asadullah Khan, Naseer Soomro, Sun Mingming, Bao Xishun, and Radhouane Charbib.
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Tayyaba is a seasoned writer, author, and dentist passionate about healthcare and storytelling. She combines her medical expertise with her love for writing to create insightful and engaging content that educates and inspires readers.
