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Lion vs Tiger

Lion vs tiger
Tiger is larger on weight
Tiger is somewhat greater than lion on weight — about 1.2×.

A lion and a tiger 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.
Lion Tiger
Weight 120–250 kg 100–310 kg
Height 0.9–1.2 m 0.8–1.1 m
Length 1.6–2.5 m 1.7–2.3 m
Top speed 60–80 km/h 50–65 km/h
Typical lifespan 10–20 yr 8–26 yr
Bite force 650 psi 1,050 psi

What the numbers say

  • Tiger is somewhat greater than lion on weight — about 1.2×.
  • Lion is somewhat greater than tiger on height — about 1.1×.
  • Lion and tiger are near enough identical on length.
  • Lion is somewhat greater than tiger on top speed — about 1.2×.
  • Lion is somewhat greater than tiger on typical lifespan — about 1.3×.
  • Tiger is 1.6× lion on bite force.

Weight compared.

Tiger 100–310 kg
Lion 120–250 kg

Lion

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

Tiger

The largest living cat, with Amur and Bengal tigers the heaviest subspecies.

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 tiger?
Tiger is somewhat greater than lion on weight — about 1.2×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do lions and tigers compare on height?
Lion: 0.9–1.2 m. Tiger: 0.8–1.1 m. Lion is somewhat greater than tiger on height — about 1.1×.
How do lions and tigers compare on length?
Lion: 1.6–2.5 m. Tiger: 1.7–2.3 m. Lion and tiger are near enough identical on length.

Related pages

Sources

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

How these figures are compiled and checked