Introduction
Famous for their small stature, Hobbits are among the most popular fantasy creatures created by Tolkien, and many people are interested in learning more about their curious, quirky appearances. Their height is probably one of the most interesting facts about them.
Most Hobbits are said to be between 2 and 4 feet (0.61 and 1.22 meters) tall. Of course, estimates vary, but according to Wikipedia, their average height is 3 foot 6 inches (1.1 meters). That’s tiny compared with most humans; the average American man is 5 foot 8 inches (1.73 meters) and the average American woman is 5 foot 4 inches (1.63 meters).
In this article, we’re going to find out more about the height of Hobbits, including the five famous Hobbits from the movies. We’ll also find out more about the age and weight averages for these fascinating fantasy creatures.
How Tall Are Hobbits?
Tolkien wrote that the Hobbits were between 2 and 4 feet tall, although noted that Hobbits used to be taller. His character Bullroarer Took was said to be 4 foot 5 inches (1.35 meters) and could ride a horse. However, most Hobbits are shorter than this.
Hobbits are said to be shorter than dwarves in Tolkien, which probably makes them one of the most diminutive races in his world. They can only ride on ponies, not full-size horses, and might be mistaken for the children of humans.
How Tall Are The Five Main Hobbits?
Unfortunately, it’s very hard to know how tall the individual Hobbits were intended to be, as Tolkien didn’t offer these specifics when writing. He didn’t note the four Hobbits who take the ring to Mount Doom to be particularly tall, however.
Comparisons between Frodo Baggins and other characters in the movies show him at around 4 foot 1 inch (1.24 meters). That’s probably taller than Tolkien intended him to be, but it probably made the camera angles easier to handle.
Tolkien’s only comment on Frodo’s height was that he was “taller than some,” which suggests he probably fell at the upper end of the range, and may have been around 3 foot 6 inches (1.07 meters) in the books.
There are no references to Sam’s height in the books, but the in-movie comparisons suggest he’s about 4 foot 2 inches (1.27 meters). This would make him slightly taller than Frodo, which is visible in some scenes.
Merry and Pippin are more challenging to figure out heights for, as they grow considerably in the course of the story, thanks to drinking Ent-draught. Prior to this point in the movies, Merry appears to be around 4 foot 2 inches, while Pippin is about 4 foot 1 inch.
Tolkien said that the Ent-draught made the two taller than Bullroarer Took, which would put them at over 4 foot 5 inches, although it’s not clear by how much. They were considered giants among Hobbits by the end of their adventures.
In the film, Pippin says he’s “pushing 3 [foot] 7 … 3 [foot] 8.” This doesn’t quite fit with his height compared with other characters, but does give you some sense of how tall he and Merry are intended to be.
If you’re interested in the height of Bilbo, he’s described as around 3 foot 6 inches, although he’s shown in the films as around 4 foot 1 inch (1.24 meters).
How Old Are Hobbits?
You might be interested to learn that a Hobbit’s average life expectancy is over 100 – which may be why so few Hobbits are surprised when Bilbo reaches 111. Hobbits aren’t considered adults until they reach 33 years old.
Frodo turns 33 at the start of The Fellowship of the Ring book, but is 50 by the time he sets out on his quest. Sam is 38 when they leave the Shire, while Merry is 36, and Pippin is just 28. That means that Pippin is still a teenager or child by Hobbit standards.
Bilbo also set out on his quest when he was 50 years old, though he turned 51 before the end of the quest.
In the films, the Hobbits look to be in their 20s or 30s, but this may be a nod to the different ways in which the races age, rather than a deliberate change. Pippin, however, does look like an adult and not a teenager.
No ages are mentioned in the films, besides Bilbo’s 111th birthday, but it is worth noting that Frodo sets out shortly after Bilbo’s disappearance, while there’s a gap of several years in the books.
How Much Do Hobbits Weigh?
It’s very hard to say what Hobbits weigh, as Tolkien doesn’t really make much reference to this. It stands to reason that they would weigh less than humans, but they are supposed to be wider and chubbier.
Fans have had a good go at estimating weights. Most suggest that Hobbits would weigh somewhere around 70-80 lb (32-36 kg). Some say as much as 100 lb (45 kg). Others place their weight at closer to 30 or 40 lb (14 or 18 kg), which is an average weight for children of their height.
However, it should be remembered that Hobbits are stockier than children, and would likely have more muscle and more body fat. It therefore seems reasonable to estimate that they might be about double in weight, although there’s no way to know for sure.
In the films, we frequently see the Hobbits being lifted, carried, and even tossed across chasms with ease, which makes it harder to guess their weights. However, the people performing these feats (often Aragorn, Legolas, and Boromir), are very strong individuals in great physical shape.
It’s likely that they would find it much easier to move a Hobbit, even in full armor, than other people would.
Conclusion
Hobbits remain a point of fascination for many individuals who love the world of Tolkien, and their heights, ages, and weights evoke a lot of curiosity among their fans. Hobbits are surprisingly small creatures, especially if you read the books, and they are also surprisingly long-lived.
