---
title: "Hippopotamus vs white rhinoceros — size, weight and speed comp"
description: "White rhinoceros is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on weight — about 1.3×. Compared on 5 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/hippopotamus-vs-white-rhinoceros/
site: "At One Place"
---

# 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×.

## Related pages

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- [Giraffe vs white rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-white-rhinoceros/)
- [American bison vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-hippopotamus/)
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- [Car vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/car-vs-hippopotamus/)

## Sources

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