---
title: "Lion vs ostrich — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Lion is 1.7× ostrich on weight. Compared on 4 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-ostrich/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Lion vs Ostrich

**Lion vs ostrich: Lion is larger on weight**

Lion is 1.7× ostrich on weight.

A lion and an ostrich can be compared on 4 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.*

|  | Lion | Ostrich |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 120–250 kg | 63–156 kg |
| Height | 0.9–1.2 m | 1.7–2.8 m |
| Top speed | 60–80 km/h | 60–70 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 10–20 yr | 30–50 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Lion is 1.7× ostrich on weight.
- Ostrich is 2.2× lion on height.
- Lion is somewhat greater than ostrich on top speed — about 1.1×.
- Ostrich is 2.9× lion on typical lifespan.

*Weight compared.*

- Lion: 120–250 kg
- Ostrich: 63–156 kg

## Lion

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

## Ostrich

The largest and fastest bird, laying eggs that weigh about 1.4 kg each.

> 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, lion or ostrich?

Lion is 1.7× ostrich on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

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

Lion: 0.9–1.2 m. Ostrich: 1.7–2.8 m. Ostrich is 2.2× lion on height.

### How do lions and ostriches compare on top speed?

Lion: 60–80 km/h. Ostrich: 60–70 km/h. Lion is somewhat greater than ostrich on top speed — about 1.1×.

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- [American alligator vs lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-alligator-vs-lion/)
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- [American black bear vs lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-black-bear-vs-lion/)
- [Emu vs ostrich](https://atoneplace.net/vs/emu-vs-ostrich/)

## Sources

- Wikidata — Wikimedia Foundation (https://www.wikidata.org/) [CC0 1.0]
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)