At One Place

Cow vs Horse

Cow vs horse
Cow is larger on weight
Cow is somewhat greater than horse on weight — about 1.4×.

A cow and a horse 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.
Cow Horse
Weight 400–1,100 kg 380–1,000 kg
Height 1.2–1.6 m 1.42–1.83 m
Length 2.2–2.8 m 2.1–2.8 m
Typical lifespan 15–25 yr 25–35 yr

What the numbers say

  • Cow is somewhat greater than horse on weight — about 1.4×.
  • Cow and horse are near enough identical on height.
  • Cow and horse are near enough identical on length.
  • Horse is somewhat greater than cow on typical lifespan — about 1.4×.

Weight compared.

Cow 400–1,100 kg
Horse 380–1,000 kg

Cow

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

Horse

A domesticated equid; light riding breeds and draught breeds differ by a factor of three in mass.

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, cow or horse?
Cow is somewhat greater than horse on weight — about 1.4×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do cows and horses compare on height?
Cow: 1.2–1.6 m. Horse: 1.42–1.83 m. Cow and horse are near enough identical on height.
How do cows and horses compare on length?
Cow: 2.2–2.8 m. Horse: 2.1–2.8 m. Cow and horse are near enough identical on length.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place

How these figures are compiled and checked