---
title: "How much does a hippopotamus weigh?"
description: "A hippopotamus weighs 1,300–3,200 kg (2,870–7,050 lb). How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/weight/hippopotamus/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How much does a hippopotamus weigh?

**Typical weight: 1,300–3,200 kg**

That is 2,870–7,050 lb.

A semi-aquatic grazer, the third-heaviest land mammal and among the most dangerous to people.

> Bulls 1,500-1,800 kg but keep growing for life, occasionally past 3,000; cows about 1,300-1,500 kg.

## How that compares

*Hippopotamus against things of a similar mass.*

- Minivan: 1,750–2,400 kg
- SUV: 1,450–3,200 kg
- White rhinoceros: 1,400–3,600 kg
- Hippopotamus: 1,300–3,200 kg
- Car: 1,100–2,100 kg
- Beluga whale: 700–1,900 kg
- Giant manta ray: 1,000–2,000 kg
- Giraffe: 700–1,930 kg

## More about a hippopotamus

- [How long does a hippopotamus last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/hippopotamus/) — 40–55 yr
- [Hippopotamus vs Giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-hippopotamus/) — Side by side
- [Hippopotamus vs White rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/hippopotamus-vs-white-rhinoceros/) — Side by side
- [Hippopotamus vs American bison](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-hippopotamus/) — Side by side
- [Hippopotamus vs Black rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-rhinoceros-vs-hippopotamus/) — Side by side
- [Hippopotamus vs Asian elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/asian-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/) — Side by side
- [Hippopotamus vs African elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How much does a hippopotamus weigh?

A hippopotamus weighs 1,300–3,200 kg (2,870–7,050 lb). Bulls 1,500-1,800 kg but keep growing for life, occasionally past 3,000; cows about 1,300-1,500 kg.

## Related pages

- [How long does a hippopotamus last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/hippopotamus/)
- [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 African elephant weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/african-elephant/)
- [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/)
- [Hippopotamus vs Giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Hippopotamus vs White rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/hippopotamus-vs-white-rhinoceros/)
- [Hippopotamus vs American bison](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Hippopotamus vs Black rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-rhinoceros-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Hippopotamus vs Asian elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/asian-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Hippopotamus vs African elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/)

## Sources

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