how old is ariel in the little mermaid

Ariel is 16 years old in the original 1989 animated version of The Little Mermaid. In the 2023 live-action remake, Ariel is aged up to 18 years old to better align with the actress Halle Bailey's age and to portray a slightly more mature character. The age difference also helps make the story's romantic elements more acceptable for modern audiences.