Renu Dhariyal, a content creator and YouTuber from Haldwani in Uttarakhand, India, has officially set a Guinness World Record for the longest hair on a living person (female), with her locks measuring 271.50 centimetres (8ft 10in). The measurement was taken in Haldwani on April 15, 2026, according to Guinness World Records.
Record-Breaking Measurement and Previous Holder
Dhariyal's hair length surpassed the previous record held by Ukraine's Aliia Nasyrova, whose hair measured 257.33 centimetres (8ft 5.3in). The new record is only slightly shorter than the height of Robert Wadlow, recognised by Guinness as the tallest person ever recorded, who measured 272 centimetres (8ft 11.1in).
Dhariyal began growing her hair in 2015 and has not cut it since then, meaning she has spent about 11 years maintaining and growing the extraordinary locks. “I have been growing my hair continuously since 2015,” Dhariyal told Guinness World Records.
Cultural Inspiration and Maintenance Routine
“In Indian culture, long hair is considered a symbol of extreme beauty and tradition, which is what inspired me to grow it so long,” she added. Maintaining hair that stretches almost nine feet is far from easy. Dhariyal said she spends hours washing and detangling her hair and has developed a routine centred around natural products rather than chemical treatments.
“It takes a lot of patience to maintain long hair. I spend hours washing and detangling my hair,” she said. “My secret is completely natural. I stay away from chemical products and also share the secrets of chemical-free homemade hair oils and homemade shampoos I make on my YouTube channel.”
Public Attention and Community Message
Images released by Guinness show the sheer scale of her hair, with the thick, dark locks trailing across the floor, spilling over furniture and surrounding her when she sits down. When she needs to keep it manageable, Dhariyal ties it into an elaborate plait. Her unusual appearance has also made her a source of attention both online and whenever she goes out.
“With such long hair, whenever I step out or come on social media, people are surprised and I get a lot of appreciation and attention,” she said. Beyond setting the record, Dhariyal hopes her achievement will draw attention to her community and encourage others to embrace their natural beauty and cultural traditions.
“I want to give a message to the world that with determination, consistency and connecting with your natural beauty and culture, you can achieve any big milestone,” she said. Guinness World Records officially lists Dhariyal as the current record holder, with the measurement of 271.50 centimetres recorded in Haldwani on April 15, 2026.
