Everything You Need to Know About the "Short King" Trend

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The trending slang term, explained

Co-authored by Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: May 23, 2025 Fact Checked

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Short King Definition

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Origins

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Is "short king" offensive?

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How to Use “Short King”

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Famous Short Kings

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Final Takeaways

Although it’s not technically new, the term “short king” has experienced a recent boom in popularity, with more than 50,000 posts on Tiktok amassing over 1 billion views. But who exactly can be honored with the royal title? And what does it actually mean? If you’ve ever wondered what the short king trend is all about, keep reading to learn the head-to-toe meaning behind this modern moniker. Who knows? You could be a short king without even knowing it, just waiting on your crown.

What’s a “Short King”?

A short king is a man who stands at 5 foot 8 or less. He is typically described as charming, funny, and confident, and he’s considered generally attractive to many. Since height is genetic and nearly impossible to alter, "short king" is part of the body positivity movement, encouraging men to embrace who they are.

Section 1 of 6:

Short King Definition

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A short king is generally considered to be a man who is 5 foot 8 or less. Since the average American man is 5 foot 9 (175 cm), a short king typically stands at around 5 foot 8 (174 cm) or less. A short king also possesses other attractive qualities, like a great sense of humor and/or charisma. Short kings are shorter than average men who have realized that their stature is no reason to devalue their own self-worth. In many ways, the short king trend is a version of the body positivity movement.^{[1]
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- Short kings have the confidence of their taller, 6-foot counterparts, and don’t allow an inferiority complex to govern their lives.
- A 2022 study showed that women preferred men significantly taller than them.^{[2]
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  - Not only that, but men with leadership positions at successful companies were taller on average.
- However, short kings are ridding themselves of this stigma and embracing their height wholeheartedly.
- Since height is largely genetic and not something that can be altered outside of having a painful, invasive, and lengthy procedure—pun intended—short kings are defending themselves against continued ridicule since their height is beyond their control.

Section 2 of 6:

Origins of “Short King”

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The term originated in a 2018 Tweet by comedian Jaboukie Young-White. In his iconic Tweet, Young-White wrote, “I’m f*****g tired of ‘short’ used as an insult.” He then went on to name a few noteworthy short kings, including Donald Glover, Tom Holland, and Bruno Mars. He added, “Short kings are the enemy of body negativity, and I’ll be forever proud to defend them.” Since then, the short king trend has spread like wildfire, inspiring the small stature community to reclaim the term “short” as a neutral and even positive descriptor.^{[3]
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- On social media, people began posting their below-average sized partners, with many users poking fun at the height difference between them while still celebrating their significant other’s short king status.
  - One user advises that you “get yourself a short king,” alluding to how hard they work at looking their best, perhaps in an effort to compensate for their lack of height, and how well they treat their partners.
  - Others rationalize going for short kings instead of tall men, citing that the qualities deemed more conventionally attractive, like height and certain other physical features, do not translate into fulfilling long-lasting relationships.
  - Short kings themselves seem to be in on the fun, with many users commenting things like, “we’re down to earth” and “short kings—we ride at dawn!”
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The term “short king” quickly spread from social media to the big screen. In 2024, Saturday Night Live aired a skit in which 3 short kings were vying for one woman’s love in a Bachelorette-style dating show. However, Jacob Elordi, who stands at 6 foot 5, guest-starred in the skit, towering over his short king rivals.
- The “contestant” ultimately chose Elordi’s character despite his comical immaturity and general unpleasantness, explaining that at least she wouldn’t “have to weirdly bend [her] knees [with him] in photos.”

Section 3 of 6:

Is being called a short king offensive?

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"Short king" is usually an empowering term, but some short guys may not like it. Although the word “short” has been recently rebranded, paired with “king,” and given a more positive connotation, not everybody may be on the same page. On the one hand, some shorter men may feel empowered by this new, regal moniker, painting their stature in a positive light, and finally allowing them to break free of toxic stereotypes about masculinity. However, other men might prefer that nobody comment on their height at all, since it may still be a sore subject for them, especially if their height was a cause for bullying or ridicule during adolescence.^{[4]
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- When it comes to calling someone a short king, it’s best to err on the side of caution so as to not insult anyone.
- “Short king” should be reserved for close friends and loved ones who know you won’t take offense.

Section 4 of 6:

How to Use “Short King”

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Use “short king” to compliment a spouse, friend, or family member. If you have a short king in your life, you can use the moniker as a compliment to hype them up or as a quirky term of endearment. Whether your dad, boyfriend, or your closest male friend are “fun-sized,” here are some ideas on how to use the phrase affectionately:
- “Looking good today, short king! That shirt really brings out your eyes.”
- “It’s okay that you’re not the best at basketball, short king— you’re the best at everything else!”
- “I love being your tall queen, my short king.”
- “As a short king, you’re the perfect cuddle buddy.”

Section 5 of 6:

Famous Short Kings

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Many popular actors, musicians, and celebs can be considered short kings. Not everybody in Hollywood is a tall drink of water—and that’s okay! Actually, it’s more common than ever to see short kings dating tall queens. Short king poster boy Tom Holland snagged tall and statuesque Zendaya, but he’s certainly not alone in his success. Here’s a list of famous short kings, some of which may surprise you:^{[5]
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- Kendrick Lamar—5 foot 6
- Daniel Radcliff—5 foot 5
- Tom Cruise—5 foot 7
- Zac Efron—5 foot 8
- Mark Ruffalo—5 foot 8
- Cillian Murphy—5 foot 7
- Oscar Isaac—5 foot 8
- James McAvoy—5 foot 7
- Robert Downey Jr.—5 foot 8
- Mark Wahlberg—5 foot 8

Section 6 of 6:

Final Takeaways

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If you’re somebody who identifies as a short king, more power to you! It’s important to remember that confidence is a state of mind, unrelated to height, appearance, financial status, or anything of the sort. If someone doesn’t want to date you based on your stature, then it’s their loss. So, if you happen to be 5 foot 8 or less, stand tall and proudly in your short king-dom. Who knows? Your Zendaya could be out there!