Which is bigger, hippopotamus or white rhinoceros?

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

How do hippopotamuses and white rhinoceroses compare on height?

Hippopotamus: 1.3–1.65 m. White rhinoceros: 1.5–1.9 m. White rhinoceros is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on height — about 1.2×.

How do hippopotamuses and white rhinoceroses compare on length?

Hippopotamus: 3.3–5 m. White rhinoceros: 3.4–4.2 m. White rhinoceros is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on length — about 1.1×.

Hippopotamus vs White rhinoceros

Hippopotamus vs white rhinoceros

White rhinoceros is larger on weight

White rhinoceros is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on weight — about 1.3×.

A hippopotamus and a white rhinoceros 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.
	Hippopotamus	White rhinoceros
Weight	1,300–3,200 kg	1,400–3,600 kg
Height	1.3–1.65 m	1.5–1.9 m
Length	3.3–5 m	3.4–4.2 m
Top speed	25–30 km/h	50 km/h
Typical lifespan	40–55 yr	35–50 yr

What the numbers say

White rhinoceros is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on weight — about 1.3×.
White rhinoceros is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on height — about 1.2×.
White rhinoceros is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on length — about 1.1×.
White rhinoceros is 1.7× hippopotamus on top speed.
Hippopotamus and white rhinoceros are near enough identical on typical lifespan.

Weight compared.

White rhinoceros 1,400–3,600 kg

Hippopotamus 1,300–3,200 kg

Hippopotamus

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

White rhinoceros

The largest rhino and the second-largest land mammal, a grazer with a wide square lip.

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, hippopotamus or white rhinoceros?: White rhinoceros is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on weight — about 1.3×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do hippopotamuses and white rhinoceroses compare on height?: Hippopotamus: 1.3–1.65 m. White rhinoceros: 1.5–1.9 m. White rhinoceros is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on height — about 1.2×.
How do hippopotamuses and white rhinoceroses compare on length?: Hippopotamus: 3.3–5 m. White rhinoceros: 3.4–4.2 m. White rhinoceros is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on length — about 1.1×.

Sources

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution

How these figures are compiled and checked