Lengthening the short nose is considered the most difficult operation in rhinoplasty  Several techniques  have been described ranging  from a mere tip graft up to paranasal osteotomies. After preoperative evaluation and measurements, the author suggests a method of lengthening by cartilage grafting using either costal or septal grafts. The type of cartilage grafting depends on the preoperative condition of the nasal septum and the availability of the adequate septal graft. If deemed inappropriate,  a costal cartilage graft is harvested  and shaped to give the desired effect. By applying the technique in 8 patients, adequate lengthening was achieved in 5 cases. The main obstacle to reach the desired length is the inadequate stretchability of the skin envelope especially after a previous trauma or an operation.