Two Guinness holders are named for the world’s longest hair on a living woman, and their figures don’t match.
Renu Dhariyal of Haldwani, India, measured 8 ft 10 in (271.5 cm) on April 15, 2026, while Smita Srivastava’s listed 7 ft 9 in (236.22 cm). Check Guinness’s record page before quoting either.
Who Holds the Record
Two women are named as Guinness holders, and the figures don’t match. Gulf News and Hindustan Times report Renu Dhariyal of Haldwani, Uttarakhand, measured on 15 April 2026:
Renu Dhariyal, an Indian woman from the northern state of Uttarakhand, has been recognised by Guinness World Records for having the longest hair on a living woman, with her hair measuring 271.5 centimetres (106.88 inches).
Guinness’s kids site names Smita Srivastava of Uttar Pradesh, 46, as holder of the longest hair on a living person at 236.22 cm (7 ft 9 in).
I found nothing that reconciles the two, so quote each with its name attached and check Guinness’s own record page before repeating either.
Measured at 8 ft 10 in
Renu Dhariyal’s hair measures 8 ft 10 in, which is 106.88 inches or 271.5 cm.
It was officially measured in Haldwani on April 15, 2026. That puts her only 0.5 cm short of the 272 cm record for the longest hair ever recorded on a man, so I’d call it as close to a tie as these records get.
Smita Srivastava’s figure is separate and lower: 7 ft 9 in, or 236.22 cm, recorded when she was 46. Her hair falls nearly 14 inches short of Dhariyal’s, which is why I’d quote the 8 ft 10 in number first.
Years of Growing It Out
Dhariyal’s route is the simpler one: she has grown her hair since 2015 and has not cut it. No trims and no shaping.
Srivastava’s route has a single interruption. She has cut her hair once since she was 14, taking off about 1 foot (30 cm) while pregnant with her second child because the length had become hard to manage.
That is one trim in 32 years, and at 46 her hair still measures 236.22 cm (7 ft 9 in). A foot off hair that long barely registers, so I don’t count it against her.
Other Record Holders
Renu Dhariyal’s 271.5 cm beat Alia Nasyrova’s previous record by more than 14 cm and sits just 0.5 cm short of the men’s record. That 272 cm mark matches Robert Wadlow’s height of 272 cm (8 ft 11.1 in).
| Holder | Length | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Renu Dhariyal | 8 ft 10.88 in | Current record, living woman |
| Men’s record | 8 ft 11.1 in | Holder n/a |
| Alia Nasyrova | 8 ft 5.3 in | Previous record, Ukraine |
| Nilanshi Patel | 6 ft 6.7 in | Cut before turning 18; donated to Hollywood museums |
Why They Grow It
Renu Dhariyal hasn’t cut her hair since 2015, and her reasons are cultural before they are personal. In India, long hair is widely read as a symbol of beauty, tradition and identity.
She wants to put her home state of Uttarakhand on the global map and inspire people to embrace their heritage. She shares her routines, practical tips and natural techniques on YouTube and social media.
Smita Srivastava’s motives start closer to home. Her mother inspired her, as did 1980s Hindi film actresses with long, beautiful hair, and she notes that goddesses traditionally had very long hair.
She wants it to grow longer still. The habit I find most telling: she keeps her fallen hair in a plastic bag, and none has been thrown away in 20 years.
Hours of Hair Care
Renu Dhariyal says washing and detangling take hours, and with drying added, a single wash day can run several.
Between washes she keeps the length manageable in an elaborate plait. She avoids chemical products and makes her own hair oils and shampoos, and she shares those chemical-free recipes on her YouTube channel.
Srivastava washes twice a week. Washing, drying, detangling and styling can take up to 3 hours each time.
She lays a sheet on her bed and stands on it while she detangles, then finishes in a braid or bun. The sheet is the part I’d borrow, even at much shorter lengths.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the longest hair in the world, according to Guinness?
Two women are named, with different figures. Renu Dhariyal of Haldwani, Uttarakhand, is reported at 271.5 cm (8 ft 10 in), measured on April 15, 2026, while Guinness’s kids site lists Smita Srivastava of Uttar Pradesh at 236.22 cm (7 ft 9 in).
I found nothing that reconciles the two, so check Guinness’s own record page before repeating either one.
How long can hair get?
The longest hair on record is 272 cm for a man, and 271.5 cm (8 ft 10 in) for a living woman, Renu Dhariyal.
Nobody has established a biological maximum for hair length, so the longest recorded lengths are the best figures available. Dhariyal reached hers by letting it grow uncut since 2015.
