How Long Is a Lightsaber? All Lengths Explained

If there’s one thing that has always been a favorite part of Star Wars among different fans of this fictional universe, it’s the lightsaber. That’s because this is one of the best weapons in the world of sci-fi, as it is a powerful laser sword that can easily cut through steel like butter when in the hands of a trained user. The lightsaber, of course, still has standards, especially when it comes to its length. So, how long is a lightsaber?

The standard length of a regular lightsaber is around 3 feet. However, we are only talking about the standard lightsaber here. Other types of lightsabers have different lengths. But as far as the standard lightsaber is concerned, it should be somewhere around 3 feet long.

Of course, other types of lightsabers vary in length in the world of Star Wars, and that means that not all lightsabers have the same length. It’s just that the normal lightsaber comes with a length of three feet and that most Jedi and Sith use this kind of lightsaber. So, with that said, let’s look at how long the other lightsabers are.

Do all lightsabers have the same length?

Known as the weapon of the Jedi and the Sith, the lightsaber is one of the most popular sci-fi weapons of all time because of how iconic and cool it is. It only becomes cooler in the hands of a trained Jedi or Sith because these guys can wield lightsabers without hurting themselves. And we all know that lightsabers are so dangerous due to how hot their blades are.

In that regard, the lightsabers we see in Star Wars vary in hilt and blade colors. Those are usually what fans notice regarding the variations between lightsabers. But there is another factor that fans often overlook when looking at the differences between various lightsabers. 

That’s because some lightsabers may vary in terms of length. Make no mistake that most lightsabers are almost the same length. But the point is that not all lightsabers were made to have the same lengths. And the length of the lightsaber actually depends on the preferences of the one using the blade.

In that regard, many Force wielders may prefer regular lightsaber length. In fact, most Force wielders use lightsabers that have the same blade length. But some Force wielders have different combat styles and preferences that may require them to use a different lightsaber color.

Of course, some Force wielders have longer lightsabers due to how long their hilts are. But the fact is that most lightsabers tend to have blades that are the same length. There are some exceptions, depending on the wielder’s type of lightsaber. And that’s why we are here to look at some of the different lightsaber lengths in Star Wars.

1. Standard Lightsaber

The standard lightsaber is the most commonly used lightsaber among the Jedi and the Sith. Of course, Force wielders that don’t belong to either group also use this lightsaber type. In fact, when people talk about the lightsaber, this is the lightsaber type that most people think of.

Standard lightsabers are somewhere around 3 feet in length. This allows the standard lightsaber to remain the most versatile out of all the lightsaber types, as it can be used for stabbing, thrusting, and slashing without hampering the movements of the wielder.

On top of that, its length is just right in that it doesn’t endanger the user, especially considering that many Force wielders perform spins and acrobatic moves in their lightsaber combat forms. So, in a sense, a longer lightsaber would make it more difficult for other Jedi or Sith to use difficult and dangerous moves.

Of course, when we talk about the standard lightsaber, almost all of the different moves and forms taught to the Jedi by the Jedi are taught with the standard lightsaber length in mind. That is why this is the most versatile lightsaber length, as it can be used in all of the different lightsaber forms.

The standard lightsaber length is also useful for forms that rely on defense and counterattacks. This is the right length for deflecting blaster bolts and for defending against opposing lightsaber attacks.

As such, some of the greatest Jedi and Sith use the standard lightsaber length. Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, Darth Sidious, and Rey Skywalker all use the standard lightsaber length.

2. Shoto Lightsaber

While we haven’t seen the shoto lightsaber a lot in the storyline of Star Wars, this is still a pretty common lightsaber length that finds purpose as a secondary weapon for most Jedi and Sith that use the Jar’Kai dual-bladed form.

Of course, the Jar’Kai form can incorporate two lightsabers that have standard lengths. But some use a shoto lightsaber as a secondary weapon for the purposes of defense.

In Ahsoka Tano’s case, her shoto lightsaber is mainly there for defense because a shorter sword is easier to wield when it comes to blocking and parrying lightsabers and deflecting blaster bolts. But she uses her standard lightsaber for offensive purposes.

Commonly referred to as the short sword of a Jedi, the shoto lightsaber is around 2 feet long. This isn’t the best length for an offensive-minded Jedi because it is a bit too short in certain instances, especially for an opponent that keeps a good distance from their opponent. That’s why it is often used for defensive purposes and is great for those who would rather block attacks using a reverse grip.

Of course, the shoto lightsaber can also be used for offensive purposes, especially for a shorter Jedi.

Jedi Master Yoda is the only Jedi known to use the shoto lightsaber as his main weapon because he is too short to wield a standard lightsaber properly. In Yoda’s hands, the shoto lightsaber can be used in a dangerous yet highly effective combat form known as Form IV: Ataru, the most acrobatic combat form.

In all other cases, the shoto lightsaber’s length is perfect for dual-wielding other lightsaber forms, such as Form V: Shien and Djem So, which incorporate defensive stances that open up the opportunity to mount counterattacks. The shoto lightsaber serves as a defensive complement to the regular lightsaber so that the Jedi can find an opening for an offensive flurry.

3. Cal’s Crossguard Lightsaber

The crossguard lightsaber debuted in ‘Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens’ when it was shown as Kylo Ren’s lightsaber. However, as most crossguard lightsabers do, Kylo Ren’s crossguard saber comes with a standard length.

But in ‘Star Wars Jedi: Survivor,’ Cal Kestis was able to customize his lightsaber to turn it into a crossguard lightsaber that’s longer and heavier than the standard lightsaber. This lightsaber is actually around 4 feet in length and comes with attacks that are heavier and stronger than the standard attacks.

That is why Cal opts for simpler moves incorporating the basic fundamentals of Form I: Shii-Cho due to the danger of using advanced moves on a lightsaber that’s longer and heavier than the standard lightsaber.

4. Lightwhips

One of the rarest types of lightsabers is the lightwhip, which is yet to appear in any Star Wars movie, show, or game but was used during the era of the High Republic. It is an extremely rare kind of lightsaber that is probably the longest out of all of the lightsabers in terms of the length of its single blade. And that’s because it can range between 2 to 3 meters in length.

As the name of the lightsaber type suggests, the lightwhip can emit a flexible blade that the user can basically wield like a real whip. This allows the wielder of the lightwhip to hit targets that are farther away while providing versatility to their offense.

Of course, due to how difficult it is to wield a lightwhip, it can be dangerous to use for an untrained Jedi, especially when you consider the fact that it doesn’t have the same defensive capabilities that most other lightsaber types have.

5. Lightsaber Staff or Pike

The lightsaber staff is another type of lightsaber that is quite rare because it is the exclusive saber of the Jedi Temple Guards. These sabers are dual-bladed lightsabers that have extremely long hilts but shorter blades. Their blades range from 1.5 to 2 feet. In that regard, it is often believed that these weapons are more ceremonial in purpose.

While these blades may be ceremonial in nature, they are still very much capable of giving a seasoned Jedi a hard time. In ‘Star Wars: Rebels,’ Kanan Jarrus had a Force vision wherein he fought the Temple Guard version of the Grand Inquisitor, who wielded a lightsaber staff. And the Grand Inquisitor basically defeated Kanan in that fight until Jarrus accepted his faults and allowed himself to get knighted by the Grand Inquisitor.

What is your favorite lightsaber length? Let us know in the comments!

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