---
title: "Lion vs plains zebra — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Plains zebra is 1.6× lion on weight. Compared on 5 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-plains-zebra/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Lion vs Plains zebra

**Lion vs plains zebra: Plains zebra is larger on weight**

Plains zebra is 1.6× lion on weight.

A lion and a plains zebra 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.*

|  | Lion | Plains zebra |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 120–250 kg | 200–450 kg |
| Height | 0.9–1.2 m | 1.2–1.5 m |
| Length | 1.6–2.5 m | 2.1–2.6 m |
| Top speed | 60–80 km/h | 65 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 10–20 yr | 12–25 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Plains zebra is 1.6× lion on weight.
- Plains zebra is somewhat greater than lion on height — about 1.2×.
- Plains zebra is somewhat greater than lion on length — about 1.1×.
- Lion is somewhat greater than plains zebra on top speed — about 1.2×.
- Plains zebra is somewhat greater than lion on typical lifespan — about 1.4×.

*Weight compared.*

- Plains zebra: 200–450 kg
- Lion: 120–250 kg

## Lion

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

## Plains zebra

The most common zebra; every individual's stripe pattern is unique.

> 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 plains zebra?

Plains zebra is 1.6× lion on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do lions and plains zebras compare on height?

Lion: 0.9–1.2 m. Plains zebra: 1.2–1.5 m. Plains zebra is somewhat greater than lion on height — about 1.2×.

### How do lions and plains zebras compare on length?

Lion: 1.6–2.5 m. Plains zebra: 2.1–2.6 m. Plains zebra is somewhat greater than lion on length — about 1.1×.

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## Sources

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