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

# African elephant vs Hippopotamus

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

African elephant is 4× hippopotamus on weight.

An African elephant and a hippopotamus can be compared on 5 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 | Hippopotamus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 2,200–10,400 kg | 1,300–3,200 kg |
| Height | 2.2–4 m | 1.3–1.65 m |
| Length | 5.5–7.5 m | 3.3–5 m |
| Top speed | 40 km/h | 25–30 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 50–70 yr | 40–55 yr |

## What the numbers say

- African elephant is 4× hippopotamus on weight.
- African elephant is 2.1× hippopotamus on height.
- African elephant is 1.9× hippopotamus on length.
- African elephant is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on top speed — about 1.3×.
- African elephant is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on typical lifespan — about 1.3×.

*Weight compared.*

- African elephant: 2,200–10,400 kg
- Hippopotamus: 1,300–3,200 kg

## African elephant

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

## Hippopotamus

A semi-aquatic grazer, the third-heaviest land mammal and among the most dangerous to people.

> 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 hippopotamus?

African elephant is 4× hippopotamus on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

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

African elephant: 2.2–4 m. Hippopotamus: 1.3–1.65 m. African elephant is 2.1× hippopotamus on height.

### How do African elephants and hippopotamuses compare on length?

African elephant: 5.5–7.5 m. Hippopotamus: 3.3–5 m. African elephant is 1.9× hippopotamus on length.

## 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/)
- [Hippopotamus vs white rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/hippopotamus-vs-white-rhinoceros/)
- [African elephant vs orca](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-orca/)
- [American bison vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Black rhinoceros vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-rhinoceros-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Asian elephant vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/asian-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [African elephant vs white rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-white-rhinoceros/)
- [Car vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/car-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [African elephant vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-giraffe/)
- [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/)