---
title: "American bison vs cow — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "American bison and cow are near enough identical on weight. Compared on 4 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-cow/
site: "At One Place"
---

# American bison vs Cow

**American bison vs cow: Near enough equal on weight**

American bison and cow are near enough identical on weight.

An American bison and a cow 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.*

|  | American bison | Cow |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 320–1,270 kg | 400–1,100 kg |
| Height | 1.5–2 m | 1.2–1.6 m |
| Length | 2.1–3.5 m | 2.2–2.8 m |
| Typical lifespan | 15–25 yr | 15–25 yr |

## What the numbers say

- American bison and cow are near enough identical on weight.
- American bison is somewhat greater than cow on height — about 1.2×.
- American bison is somewhat greater than cow on length — about 1.2×.
- American bison and cow are near enough identical on typical lifespan.

*Weight compared.*

- American bison: 320–1,270 kg
- Cow: 400–1,100 kg

## American bison

The heaviest land animal in the Americas; commonly called a buffalo, though true buffalo live in Africa and Asia.

## Cow

Domestic cattle; dairy and beef breeds differ substantially in size, and bulls far outweigh cows.

> 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, American bison or cow?

American bison and cow are near enough identical on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do American bison and cows compare on height?

American bison: 1.5–2 m. Cow: 1.2–1.6 m. American bison is somewhat greater than cow on height — about 1.2×.

### How do American bison and cows compare on length?

American bison: 2.1–3.5 m. Cow: 2.2–2.8 m. American bison is somewhat greater than cow on length — about 1.2×.

## Related pages

- [American bison vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-giraffe/)
- [Cow vs horse](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cow-vs-horse/)
- [American bison vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [American bison vs moose](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-moose/)
- [American bison vs Cape buffalo](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-cape-buffalo/)
- [American bison vs black rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-black-rhinoceros/)
- [Cape buffalo vs cow](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cape-buffalo-vs-cow/)
- [American bison vs dromedary camel](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-dromedary-camel/)
- [Cow vs dromedary camel](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cow-vs-dromedary-camel/)
- [American bison vs water buffalo](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-water-buffalo/)
- [Cow vs water buffalo](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cow-vs-water-buffalo/)

## Sources

- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)
- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)