---
title: "African elephant vs giraffe — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "African elephant is 5× giraffe on weight. Compared on 4 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-giraffe/
site: "At One Place"
---

# African elephant vs Giraffe

**African elephant vs giraffe: African elephant is larger on weight**

African elephant is 5× giraffe on weight.

An African elephant and a giraffe can be compared on 4 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

## Side by side

*Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.*

|  | African elephant | Giraffe |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 2,200–10,400 kg | 700–1,930 kg |
| Height | 2.2–4 m | 4.3–5.9 m |
| Top speed | 40 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 50–70 yr | 20–28 yr |

## What the numbers say

- African elephant is 5× giraffe on weight.
- Giraffe is 1.6× African elephant on height.
- Giraffe is 1.5× African elephant on top speed.
- African elephant is 2.4× giraffe on typical lifespan.

*Weight compared.*

- African elephant: 2,200–10,400 kg
- Giraffe: 700–1,930 kg

## African elephant

The largest living land animal, distinguished from the Asian elephant by larger ears and a dipped back.

## Giraffe

The tallest living animal; its neck holds the same seven vertebrae as a human neck.

> This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

## Common questions

### Which is bigger, African elephant or giraffe?

African elephant is 5× giraffe on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do African elephants and giraffes compare on height?

African elephant: 2.2–4 m. Giraffe: 4.3–5.9 m. Giraffe is 1.6× African elephant on height.

### How do African elephants and giraffes compare on top speed?

African elephant: 40 km/h. Giraffe: 60 km/h. Giraffe is 1.5× African elephant on top speed.

## Related pages

- [Giraffe vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [African elephant vs Asian elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-asian-elephant/)
- [American bison vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-giraffe/)
- [Giraffe vs white rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-white-rhinoceros/)
- [Black rhinoceros vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-rhinoceros-vs-giraffe/)
- [African elephant vs orca](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-orca/)
- [Cape buffalo vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cape-buffalo-vs-giraffe/)
- [African elephant vs white rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-white-rhinoceros/)
- [African elephant vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Asian elephant vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/asian-elephant-vs-giraffe/)
- [Giraffe vs great white shark](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-great-white-shark/)
- [African elephant vs blue whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-blue-whale/)

## Sources

- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)