---
title: "Jaguar vs lion — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Lion is 2.1× jaguar on weight. Compared on 6 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/jaguar-vs-lion/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Jaguar vs Lion

**Jaguar vs lion: Lion is larger on weight**

Lion is 2.1× jaguar on weight.

A jaguar and a lion can be compared on 6 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.*

|  | Jaguar | Lion |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 45–120 kg | 120–250 kg |
| Height | 0.63–0.8 m | 0.9–1.2 m |
| Length | 1.1–1.9 m | 1.6–2.5 m |
| Top speed | 80 km/h | 60–80 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 11–22 yr | 10–20 yr |
| Bite force | 1,500 psi | 650 psi |

## What the numbers say

- Lion is 2.1× jaguar on weight.
- Lion is somewhat greater than jaguar on height — about 1.5×.
- Lion is somewhat greater than jaguar on length — about 1.2×.
- Jaguar and lion are near enough identical on top speed.
- Lion is somewhat greater than jaguar on typical lifespan — about 1.2×.
- Jaguar is 2.3× lion on bite force.

*Weight compared.*

- Lion: 120–250 kg
- Jaguar: 45–120 kg

## Jaguar

The largest cat in the Americas, built stocky and known for killing by biting through the skull.

## Lion

The second-largest living cat and the only one that lives in permanent social groups.

> 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, jaguar or lion?

Lion is 2.1× jaguar on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do jaguars and lions compare on height?

Jaguar: 0.63–0.8 m. Lion: 0.9–1.2 m. Lion is somewhat greater than jaguar on height — about 1.5×.

### How do jaguars and lions compare on length?

Jaguar: 1.1–1.9 m. Lion: 1.6–2.5 m. Lion is somewhat greater than jaguar on length — about 1.2×.

## Related pages

- [Lion vs tiger](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-tiger/)
- [Gorilla vs lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/gorilla-vs-lion/)
- [Grizzly bear vs lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/grizzly-bear-vs-lion/)
- [Lion vs polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-polar-bear/)
- [Cheetah vs jaguar](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cheetah-vs-jaguar/)
- [Lion vs plains zebra](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-plains-zebra/)
- [Cougar vs jaguar](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cougar-vs-jaguar/)
- [Jaguar vs leopard](https://atoneplace.net/vs/jaguar-vs-leopard/)
- [Blue wildebeest vs lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-wildebeest-vs-lion/)
- [American alligator vs lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-alligator-vs-lion/)
- [Jaguar vs spotted hyena](https://atoneplace.net/vs/jaguar-vs-spotted-hyena/)
- [Jaguar vs tiger](https://atoneplace.net/vs/jaguar-vs-tiger/)

## Sources

- Wikidata — Wikimedia Foundation (https://www.wikidata.org/) [CC0 1.0]
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)
- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)