A LITTLE WILDLIFE PERSPECTIVE
How tall is a lion?
Compare your height to a lion.
Adult lions average about 1.1–1.2 m in height, with males typically larger than females. A raised head and mane add to the full outline.
A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE
Lion
next to the average.
Average U.S. adults, side by side.
- Average man (U.S.)5 ft 8.9 in
- Lion4 ft 11.1 in
- Average woman (U.S.)5 ft 3.5 in
How do you measure up?
Enter your height to stand beside a lion.
Side by side
- Lion4 ft 11.1 in
- Your placeAdd your height
The animal is an example adult in the pose shown. Its full outline is scaled to 150 cm. Shoulder height and body length are explained below.
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GET TO KNOW THE ANIMAL
Small facts. Big discoveries.
Lion · Panthera leo
The lion’s body is built around strong legs, a deep chest, and powerful jaws. Adult males usually grow a mane, giving the head and neck a much wider outline.
Related lionesses form the lasting core of a pride, often remaining together in the same territory throughout their lives. They may raise cubs communally and even nurse one another’s young, so pride life involves cooperation as well as the more familiar hunting and territorial displays.
- A lion’s tail ends in a dark tuft.
- Young lions can have spots that become less obvious as they grow.
How big do adults get?
- Male
- About 189 kg on average
- Female
- About 126 kg on average
These are adult averages, not maximum weights. Size differs across populations; the silhouette includes the head and mane.
Height, length, or weight?
Standing height runs from the ground to the top of the animal. Shoulder height stops at the top of the shoulders. Length runs along the body; it is not how tall an animal stands. Weight tells us how heavy it is.
Explore the science: Animal Diversity Web · University of Michigan ↗