---
title: "Lion vs tiger — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Tiger is somewhat greater than lion on weight — about 1.2×. Compared on 6 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-tiger/
site: "At One Place"
---

# 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

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- [Polar bear vs tiger](https://atoneplace.net/vs/polar-bear-vs-tiger/)
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- [Jaguar vs lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/jaguar-vs-lion/)
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- [American alligator vs tiger](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-alligator-vs-tiger/)
- [American alligator vs lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-alligator-vs-lion/)

## 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/)