5 Mind-Blowing Facts About Andre The Giant's Hands: The True 'Eighth Wonder' Measurement

Andre the Giant’s hands were not just large; they were a physical manifestation of his legendary status, serving as the most immediate and shocking visual proof of his immense size. Even decades after his death, on this day in December 2025, the stories and photographic evidence of his colossal hands continue to circulate, sparking awe and disbelief among new generations of fans. These hands, which were a direct result of the gigantism caused by excess human growth hormone, were instrumental in crafting the myth of the "Eighth Wonder of the World." They were capable of feats of strength that bordered on the unbelievable, from crushing everyday objects to physically dominating other grown men with a casual gesture. The sheer scale of his hands remains one of the most talked-about aspects of his life.

Andre The Giant: A Brief Biography and Profile

André René Roussimoff, known universally as Andre the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor who became one of the most recognizable and beloved figures in the world.

• Full Name: André René Roussimoff
• Born: May 19, 1946, in Coulommiers, Seine-et-Marne, France
• Died: January 27, 1993, in Paris, France (Age 46)
• Cause of Death: Congestive heart failure
• Height: Officially billed at 7 ft 4 in (224 cm), though his actual height was often estimated to be closer to 6 ft 10 in to 7 ft 0 in due to his condition.
• Weight: Varied throughout his career, often billed over 500 lbs (227 kg).
• Wrestling Career Highlights:
  • One-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion.
  • One-time WWF Tag Team Champion (with Haku).
  • Headlined WrestleMania III against Hulk Hogan in one of the most famous matches in wrestling history.
  • Inducted as the only member of the inaugural WWE Hall of Fame class in 1993.
• Acting Career Highlight: Best known for his role as Fezzik in the 1987 film The Princess Bride.
• Medical Condition: Suffered from acromegaly, a disorder resulting from excess growth hormone, which caused his characteristic large hands, feet, and facial features.

The Shocking Measurements: How Big Were Andre’s Hands, Really?

The size of Andre the Giant’s hands is a subject of constant debate, often exaggerated by wrestling promoters and the passage of time. While some sources claim his hand span was an unbelievable 16 inches, more concrete and frequently cited measurements offer a clearer, yet still astonishing, picture of their true scale.

Fact #1: The Concrete Hand Dimensions

The most reliable measurements, often referenced by those who studied his physique, paint a picture of truly monumental hands. His wrist circumference was measured to be approximately 12 inches around. For comparison, the average male wrist is around 7 to 8 inches. Furthermore, the length of his hand, from the base of the palm to the tip of the middle finger, was reported to be around 10 inches. This massive size was a direct consequence of his acromegaly, which disproportionately enlarges the extremities.

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Fact #2: The Beer Can Crusher

One of the most famous and frequently recounted stories about Andre’s hands involves a simple 12-ounce beer can. It is widely reported that Andre could completely close his hand around a standard beer can, making it disappear entirely within his grasp. This feat was often followed by him casually crushing the can with a single, effortless squeeze. Hulk Hogan, a long-time friend and rival, recalled seeing Andre crush a tall boy can in one hand before throwing it away. This comparison to an everyday object vividly demonstrates the sheer thickness and power of his grip, a grip that was central to his wrestling persona, particularly when applying his "Giant Chop" or "Bear Hug."

Legendary Anecdotes: Celebrity Stories of Andre's Grip

Beyond the measurements, the most compelling evidence of Andre's hand size comes from the personal accounts of his peers in Hollywood and the world of professional wrestling. These stories often highlight not just the size, but the immense, casual strength that came with them.

Fact #3: Palming a Basketball Like a Softball

In the world of sports, the ability to "palm" a basketball—to hold it firmly in one hand—is a mark of exceptional hand size, usually associated with NBA players like Michael Jordan or Shaquille O'Neal. However, Andre the Giant’s hands were on an entirely different scale. Sources close to him claimed that he could palm a regulation basketball with the ease of a normal person holding a softball. This comparison is a powerful visual for anyone who has ever tried to grip a basketball, illustrating the astonishing span and girth of his fingers and palm.

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Fact #4: The Arnold Schwarzenegger Dinner Story

Perhaps the most famous non-wrestling anecdote involves Andre and his co-stars from the film Conan the Destroyer, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Wilt Chamberlain. The three massive men were out to dinner, and as a joke, Arnold and Wilt tried to sneak off to pay the bill before Andre could. When Andre realized what was happening, he allegedly used his massive hands to casually scoop up Arnold Schwarzenegger—a man who was a world-class bodybuilder and action star—carry him back to the table, and deposit him in his seat, all while insisting on paying. This story, often recounted by Schwarzenegger himself, perfectly captures the effortless, almost playful dominance his size afforded him.

Fact #5: The Hand-to-Hand Comparison with The Big Show

In the world of wrestling, another giant, Paul Wight, known as The Big Show (and now Paul Wight in AEW), often drew comparisons to Andre. The Big Show is one of the few professional wrestlers in history whose size could even be mentioned in the same breath as Andre's. However, when the two men's hands are compared in photographs or on video, the difference is still stark. Andre's hands are noticeably wider, thicker, and more 'paws-like' than The Big Show’s, emphasizing that even among giants, Andre's extremities were in a class of their own. This comparison is a key piece of evidence that solidifies Andre's hands as truly unique in the history of physical anomalies.

The Lasting Legacy of the Giant's Hands

The monumental size of Andre the Giant’s hands was more than just a physical curiosity; it was a central part of his identity and his enduring topical authority. The hands were the tools of his trade, delivering his signature moves like the "Giant Chop" and the "Sit-Down Splash." They were also the source of countless anecdotes that humanized the "Eighth Wonder," showing his gentle nature when interacting with children or his playful dominance with friends like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Even today, his handprint is used on merchandise and is a key feature in the famous "Andre the Giant Has a Posse" street art campaign created by Shepard Fairey, ensuring that the image of his colossal hand remains a powerful icon in pop culture.

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Ultimately, the hand size—whether 10 inches long, 12 inches around the wrist, or the rumored 16-inch span—is a powerful symbol of the man himself: a figure of such overwhelming scale and presence that he redefined what it meant to be a giant.