---
title: "Emperor penguin vs emu — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Emu is somewhat greater than emperor penguin on weight — about 1.3×. Compared on 3 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/emperor-penguin-vs-emu/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Emperor penguin vs Emu

**Emperor penguin vs emu: Emu is larger on weight**

Emu is somewhat greater than emperor penguin on weight — about 1.3×.

An emperor penguin and an emu can be compared on 3 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.*

|  | Emperor penguin | Emu |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 22–45 kg | 18–60 kg |
| Height | 1–1.3 m | 1.5–1.9 m |
| Typical lifespan | 15–50 yr | 10–20 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Emu is somewhat greater than emperor penguin on weight — about 1.3×.
- Emu is 1.5× emperor penguin on height.
- Emperor penguin is 1.7× emu on typical lifespan.

*Weight compared.*

- Emu: 18–60 kg
- Emperor penguin: 22–45 kg

## Emperor penguin

The largest penguin, which breeds through the Antarctic winter and dives to over 500 m.

## Emu

The second-tallest bird, native to Australia and capable of covering long distances at a steady trot.

> 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, emperor penguin or emu?

Emu is somewhat greater than emperor penguin on weight — about 1.3×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do emperor penguins and emus compare on height?

Emperor penguin: 1–1.3 m. Emu: 1.5–1.9 m. Emu is 1.5× emperor penguin on height.

### How do emperor penguins and emus compare on typical lifespan?

Emperor penguin: 15–50 yr. Emu: 10–20 yr. Emperor penguin is 1.7× emu on typical lifespan.

## Related pages

- [Emu vs ostrich](https://atoneplace.net/vs/emu-vs-ostrich/)

## Sources

- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NOAA (https://www.noaa.gov/) [Public domain (US Government)]
- Wikidata — Wikimedia Foundation (https://www.wikidata.org/) [CC0 1.0]