Was Napoleon short?

We all know that Napoleon was short… after all, he was called “Le Petit Corporal” (The Little Corporal) and his height was listed as 5’2”!

Napoleon’s nickname did not actually refer to his stature, but probably was an affectionate term referring to the respectful relationship he had with his troops. His height was indeed five feet two inches tall, but French units of measurement differ from the Imperial system. When converted, Napoleon stood about five-foot-seven, at or slightly above the average height of a Frenchman at the time.

Napoleon was commonly seen (and depicted in drawings) surrounded by his guards, who were specifically selected for their exceptional height – thus making Napoleon seem much shorter by comparison.