---
title: "American bison vs moose — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "American bison is 1.5× moose on weight. Compared on 5 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-moose/
site: "At One Place"
---

# American bison vs Moose

**American bison vs moose: American bison is larger on weight**

American bison is 1.5× moose on weight.

An American bison and a moose 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.*

|  | American bison | Moose |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 320–1,270 kg | 200–720 kg |
| Height | 1.5–2 m | 1.4–2.1 m |
| Length | 2.1–3.5 m | 2.4–3.1 m |
| Top speed | 56 km/h | 56 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 15–25 yr | 15–25 yr |

## What the numbers say

- American bison is 1.5× moose on weight.
- American bison and moose are near enough identical on height.
- American bison is somewhat greater than moose on length — about 1.1×.
- American bison and moose are near enough identical on top speed.
- American bison is somewhat greater than moose on typical lifespan — about 1.1×.

*Weight compared.*

- American bison: 320–1,270 kg
- Moose: 200–720 kg

## American bison

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

## Moose

The largest deer; called elk in Europe, which is a different animal in North America.

> 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 moose?

American bison is 1.5× moose on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

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

American bison: 1.5–2 m. Moose: 1.4–2.1 m. American bison and moose are near enough identical on height.

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

American bison: 2.1–3.5 m. Moose: 2.4–3.1 m. American bison is somewhat greater than moose on length — about 1.1×.

## Related pages

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- [American bison vs water buffalo](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-water-buffalo/)

## Sources

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