The fictional people J.R.R. Tolkien described as halflings in The Lord of the Rings are Hobbits.
Hobbits are small, peace-loving inhabitants of Middle-earth known for their enjoyment of food, gardens, comfort, and quiet domestic life. Tolkien presents them as a distinct people rather than simply miniature humans. They generally live in the Shire, though some communities exist elsewhere, including Bree and the region near the Anduin.
The term halfling reflects their small stature compared with Men and many other peoples. In Tolkien’s stories, Hobbits include Bilbo Baggins, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took. Despite their ordinary appearance and modest ambitions, several Hobbits become essential to the defeat of Sauron.
Hobbits are sometimes confused with Dwarves because both peoples are short. Tolkien distinguishes them through culture, ancestry, appearance, and way of life. Dwarves are famous miners and smiths, while Hobbits are associated especially with rural communities, cultivated land, and an attachment to home.