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Cheetah vs Jaguar

Cheetah vs jaguar
Jaguar is larger on weight
Jaguar is 1.8× cheetah on weight.

A cheetah and a jaguar 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.
Cheetah Jaguar
Weight 34–72 kg 45–120 kg
Height 0.7–0.9 m 0.63–0.8 m
Length 1.1–1.5 m 1.1–1.9 m
Top speed 93–104 km/h 80 km/h
Typical lifespan 8–17 yr 11–22 yr

What the numbers say

  • Jaguar is 1.8× cheetah on weight.
  • Cheetah and jaguar are near enough identical on height.
  • Jaguar is somewhat greater than cheetah on length — about 1.3×.
  • Cheetah is somewhat greater than jaguar on top speed — about 1.3×.
  • Jaguar is somewhat greater than cheetah on typical lifespan — about 1.2×.

Weight compared.

Jaguar 45–120 kg
Cheetah 34–72 kg

Cheetah

The fastest land animal, with a lightweight frame and semi-retractable claws for traction.

Jaguar

The largest cat in the Americas, built stocky and known for killing by biting through the skull.

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, cheetah or jaguar?
Jaguar is 1.8× cheetah on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do cheetahs and jaguars compare on height?
Cheetah: 0.7–0.9 m. Jaguar: 0.63–0.8 m. Cheetah and jaguar are near enough identical on height.
How do cheetahs and jaguars compare on length?
Cheetah: 1.1–1.5 m. Jaguar: 1.1–1.9 m. Jaguar is somewhat greater than cheetah on length — about 1.3×.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Wikidata — Wikimedia Foundation (CC0 1.0)
  2. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution

How these figures are compiled and checked