Which is bigger, leopard or spotted hyena?

Spotted hyena is somewhat greater than leopard on weight — about 1.1×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

How do leopards and spotted hyenas compare on height?

Leopard: 0.55–0.8 m. Spotted hyena: 0.7–0.92 m. Spotted hyena is somewhat greater than leopard on height — about 1.1×.

How do leopards and spotted hyenas compare on length?

Leopard: 0.9–1.9 m. Spotted hyena: 0.95–1.6 m. Leopard and spotted hyena are near enough identical on length.

Leopard vs Spotted hyena

Leopard vs spotted hyena

Spotted hyena is larger on weight

Spotted hyena is somewhat greater than leopard on weight — about 1.1×.

A leopard and a spotted hyena 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.
	Leopard	Spotted hyena
Weight	28–90 kg	40–86 kg
Height	0.55–0.8 m	0.7–0.92 m
Length	0.9–1.9 m	0.95–1.6 m
Top speed	58 km/h	60 km/h
Typical lifespan	10–21 yr	12–25 yr
Bite force	310 psi	1,100 psi

What the numbers say

Spotted hyena is somewhat greater than leopard on weight — about 1.1×.
Spotted hyena is somewhat greater than leopard on height — about 1.1×.
Leopard and spotted hyena are near enough identical on length.
Leopard and spotted hyena are near enough identical on top speed.
Spotted hyena is 1.7× leopard on typical lifespan.
Spotted hyena is 3.5× leopard on bite force.

Weight compared.

Spotted hyena 40–86 kg

Leopard 28–90 kg

Leopard

The most widespread big cat, and the one that routinely hauls kills heavier than itself into trees.

Spotted hyena

A social carnivore whose jaws crack bone; females are larger than males and lead the clan.

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, leopard or spotted hyena?: Spotted hyena is somewhat greater than leopard on weight — about 1.1×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do leopards and spotted hyenas compare on height?: Leopard: 0.55–0.8 m. Spotted hyena: 0.7–0.92 m. Spotted hyena is somewhat greater than leopard on height — about 1.1×.
How do leopards and spotted hyenas compare on length?: Leopard: 0.9–1.9 m. Spotted hyena: 0.95–1.6 m. Leopard and spotted hyena are near enough identical on length.

Sources

Wikidata — Wikimedia Foundation (CC0 1.0)
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution
Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place

How these figures are compiled and checked