---
title: "Leopard vs spotted hyena — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Spotted hyena is somewhat greater than leopard on weight — about 1.1×. Compared on 6 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/leopard-vs-spotted-hyena/
site: "At One Place"
---

# 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.

## Related pages

- [Cheetah vs leopard](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cheetah-vs-leopard/)
- [Gray wolf vs leopard](https://atoneplace.net/vs/gray-wolf-vs-leopard/)
- [Cheetah vs spotted hyena](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cheetah-vs-spotted-hyena/)
- [Gray wolf vs spotted hyena](https://atoneplace.net/vs/gray-wolf-vs-spotted-hyena/)
- [Cougar vs leopard](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cougar-vs-leopard/)
- [Jaguar vs leopard](https://atoneplace.net/vs/jaguar-vs-leopard/)
- [Cougar vs spotted hyena](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cougar-vs-spotted-hyena/)
- [Jaguar vs spotted hyena](https://atoneplace.net/vs/jaguar-vs-spotted-hyena/)
- [Leopard vs snow leopard](https://atoneplace.net/vs/leopard-vs-snow-leopard/)
- [Komodo dragon vs leopard](https://atoneplace.net/vs/komodo-dragon-vs-leopard/)
- [Leopard vs red kangaroo](https://atoneplace.net/vs/leopard-vs-red-kangaroo/)

## 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/)