7 Numbers That You Need to Know About the Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is not only a global icon and a symbol of freedom. It’s also a fascinating landmark with a rich history and a whole host of interesting details that might surprise you.

It’s easy to miss those details when you visit, especially if you’re on your own (hint: go with a local on a top-rated Statue of Liberty tour so you get the numbers and the story). But if you’re just looking for a quick glance at the fun facts and numbers that help define this monument, we got you.

Read on for seven fascinating numbers about the Statue of Liberty to know before your visit.

France gave the Statue of Liberty as a gift to the U.S. in 1886

On October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated in a ceremony led by President Grover Cleveland. It involved both street and boat parades, public speeches, and the unveiling of the statue by French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi.

While Bartholdi is credited with designing the Statue of Liberty, French author and jurist Édouard de Laboulaye envisioned its concept. In 1865, he proposed a monumental gift to be sent to the United States on behalf of the French people. It was intended to honor the relationship between these two countries and celebrate America’s centennial in 1876.

Lady Liberty transitioned to the care of the National Park Service in 1933.

There are 377 steps to the Statue of Liberty’s crown

Visitors can go inside the Statue of Liberty, even climbing all the way to her crown, though tickets are limited and can be difficult to coordinate with your trip.

There are approximately 377 steps to the crown, divided into two portions. The first segment, consisting of 215 steps, goes from the statue’s lobby to the top of her pedestal. An elevator is available for this portion if needed. 

The second segment, from the pedestal to the crown, involves heading up 162 steps and includes a double-helix spiral staircase. There’s no elevator for this part.

Access to both the pedestal and crown is through purchasing tickets in advance. Read more about Statue of Liberty ticket options.

The tablet in the Statue of Liberty’s left hand reads “July 4, 1776” in Roman numerals

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While the Statue of Liberty lifts her famous torch in her right hand, her left hand holds a tablet. On it is engraved the date of our independence: July 4, 1776.

But it’s not written the way you and I would write it. Instead, it’s more classical, represented in Roman numerals as “July IV MDCCLXXVI.”

And here are some more numbers for you. From top to bottom, the tablet is 23 feet and seven inches long, two feet thick, and 13 feet and seven inches wide. That is, big.

There are two meanings behind the Statue of Liberty’s crown’s rays

Is it coincidence that this article is about seven Statue of Liberty numbers, and the statue’s crown has seven rays?

Yes, it is. But the seven rays on the statue’s crown do have a meaning, though it’s not certain which it is. The rays refer either to the seven continents or the seven seas of the world. 

Collectively, they create a halo that’s known as an aureole.

Their design was important to Bartholdi, who not only created a patent for the design of the Statue of Liberty but also one specifically for her crown.

The Statue of Liberty is roughly 305 feet tall.

From the ground to the tip of her flame, Lady Liberty clocks in at 305 feet and one inch in height. That’s equivalent to a 22-story building. 

At the time of her dedication, the Statue of Liberty was the tallest structure in New York City. Nowadays, it’s the One World Trade Center, home to the One World Observatory.

But the statue still looms large, with her feet measuring 25 feet in length. (She famously wears an 879-size shoe.) At one of her open-toe sandals, a sculpted broken chain and shackles represent the struggle for freedom.  

In the wind, the Statue of Liberty can sway up to 3-6 inches

Standing out in New York Harbor, Lady Liberty regularly withstands mighty storms, including around 600 lightning bolts per year. She even sways in heavy winds — her body up to three inches and her torch up to six inches.

But her structure, made of copper sheets over an integral steel framework, is hardy. The framework was developed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, who is better known for his other famous creation, the Eiffel Tower.

The Statue of Liberty was a lighthouse for 16 years

From 1886 to 1902, the statue was managed as a federal lighthouse. It even became the first American lighthouse to use electricity. Its role as a lighthouse ended when it became too costly to maintain, and the light was too dim for use in navigation.

Want to learn more about the Statue of Liberty?

Our guided tours of the Statue of Liberty go beyond trivia. Learn about what the statue means, hear the story of immigration at Ellis Island, get insider travel tips, and much more from our expert local guides.

Want to read some more interesting facts and figures about an island in New York Harbor? Check out these 11 numbers about Ellis Island, another must-visit attraction for your trip to NYC!