---
title: "Giraffe vs hippopotamus — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Hippopotamus is somewhat greater than giraffe on weight — about 1.3×. Compared on 4 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-hippopotamus/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Giraffe vs Hippopotamus

**Giraffe vs hippopotamus: Hippopotamus is larger on weight**

Hippopotamus is somewhat greater than giraffe on weight — about 1.3×.

A giraffe and a hippopotamus 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.*

|  | Giraffe | Hippopotamus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 700–1,930 kg | 1,300–3,200 kg |
| Height | 4.3–5.9 m | 1.3–1.65 m |
| Top speed | 60 km/h | 25–30 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 20–28 yr | 40–55 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Hippopotamus is somewhat greater than giraffe on weight — about 1.3×.
- Giraffe is 3.3× hippopotamus on height.
- Giraffe is 2× hippopotamus on top speed.
- Hippopotamus is 1.8× giraffe on typical lifespan.

*Weight compared.*

- Hippopotamus: 1,300–3,200 kg
- Giraffe: 700–1,930 kg

## Giraffe

The tallest living animal; its neck holds the same seven vertebrae as a human neck.

## Hippopotamus

A semi-aquatic grazer, the third-heaviest land mammal and among the most dangerous to people.

> 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, giraffe or hippopotamus?

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

### How do giraffes and hippopotamuses compare on height?

Giraffe: 4.3–5.9 m. Hippopotamus: 1.3–1.65 m. Giraffe is 3.3× hippopotamus on height.

### How do giraffes and hippopotamuses compare on top speed?

Giraffe: 60 km/h. Hippopotamus: 25–30 km/h. Giraffe is 2× hippopotamus on top speed.

## Related pages

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- [Hippopotamus vs white rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/hippopotamus-vs-white-rhinoceros/)
- [Giraffe vs white rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-white-rhinoceros/)
- [Black rhinoceros vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-rhinoceros-vs-giraffe/)
- [American bison vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Black rhinoceros vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-rhinoceros-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Asian elephant vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/asian-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Cape buffalo vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cape-buffalo-vs-giraffe/)
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- [Asian elephant vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/asian-elephant-vs-giraffe/)

## Sources

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