---
title: "How much does a African elephant weigh?"
description: "An African elephant weighs 2,200–10,400 kg (4,850–22,900 lb). How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/weight/african-elephant/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How much does a African elephant weigh?

**Typical weight: 2,200–10,400 kg**

That is 4,850–22,900 lb.

The largest living land animal, distinguished from the Asian elephant by larger ears and a dipped back.

> Bulls 4,000-7,500 kg, exceptionally 10,000+; cows 2,200-3,500 kg.

## How that compares

*African elephant against things of a similar mass.*

- School bus: 6,500–12,000 kg
- African elephant: 2,200–10,400 kg
- Helicopter: 1.2–9.979 t
- Ambulance: 3,200–6,800 kg
- MRI machine: 3,000–11,000 kg
- Orca: 1,300–10,000 kg
- Tractor: 1,000–15,000 kg
- Forklift: 2,200–8,000 kg

## More about an African elephant

- [How long does a African elephant last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/african-elephant/) — 50–70 yr
- [African elephant vs Asian elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-asian-elephant/) — Side by side
- [African elephant vs Orca](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-orca/) — Side by side
- [African elephant vs White rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-white-rhinoceros/) — Side by side
- [African elephant vs Hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/) — Side by side
- [African elephant vs Giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-giraffe/) — Side by side
- [African elephant vs Blue whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-blue-whale/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How much does an African elephant weigh?

An African elephant weighs 2,200–10,400 kg (4,850–22,900 lb). Bulls 4,000-7,500 kg, exceptionally 10,000+; cows 2,200-3,500 kg.

## Related pages

- [How long does a African elephant last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/african-elephant/)
- [How much does a lion weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/lion/)
- [How much does a tiger weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/tiger/)
- [How much does a domestic cat weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/domestic-cat/)
- [How much does a blue whale weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/blue-whale/)
- [How much does a cheetah weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/cheetah/)
- [How much does a polar bear weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/polar-bear/)
- [How much does a giraffe weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/giraffe/)
- [How much does a gorilla weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/gorilla/)
- [How much does a Great Pyramid of Giza weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/great-pyramid-of-giza/)
- [How much does a grizzly bear weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/grizzly-bear/)
- [African elephant vs Asian elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-asian-elephant/)
- [African elephant vs Orca](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-orca/)
- [African elephant vs White rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-white-rhinoceros/)
- [African elephant vs Hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [African elephant vs Giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-giraffe/)
- [African elephant vs Blue whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-blue-whale/)

## Sources

- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)