How Heavy Is an African Elephant?
an African Elephant weighs about
4.5 t (4.96 US tons)
Typical range: 2,000 kg – 6,100 kg.
Using a log scale so small objects stay visible — the numbers stay real.
- a blue whale150,000 kg
adult; females larger than males; Antarctic subspecies up to 330,000 lb (149,685 kg), North Atlantic/North Pacific over 100,000 lb (45,359 kg)
- an African elephant4,500 kg
adult male 4,500–6,100 kg; adult female 2,000–3,500 kg
- an average new car1,980 kg
model year 2024 US fleet average curb weight
- a bowling ball7.26 kg
heaviest ball allowed in tenpin bowling (16 lb); USBC sets no minimum weight
- You
Open full comparison → to add more objects on one scale.
Put it in perspective
- About 2.3× an average new car
- About 33× a blue whale
- About 620× a bowling ball
Why weights differ
- See also: a newborn African elephant
Sources
[1] University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
Loxodonta africana (African bush elephant) | Animal Diversity WebMuseum / zoo / university
“Female elephants can range from 2,000 to 3,500kg in mass ... Male elephants are larger, ranging from 4,500 to 6,100kg in mass”
Value as published: 2,000 to 3,500kg (female); 4,500 to 6,100kg (male) · accessed 2026-11-11.
[2] San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Elephant | San Diego Zoo Animals & PlantsMuseum / zoo / university
“Weight: African elephant females up to 8,000 pounds (3.600 kilograms), males can reach 12,000 to 15,000 pounds (6,800 kilograms)”
Value as published: 8,000 pounds (3,600 kilograms) female; 12,000 to 15,000 pounds (6,800 kilograms) male · accessed 2026-11-11.
Last updated 2026-11-11.Report a correction (please include a source link).
Related objects
- an Asian elephant3.5 t (3.86 US tons)
- a white rhinoceros2.3 t (2.54 US tons)
- a great white shark2.04 t (2.25 US tons)
- an orca9.98 t (11 US tons)
- a hippopotamus1.5 t (1.65 US tons)
- a giraffe1.18 t (1.3 US tons)
Frequently asked questions
How much does an African elephant weigh?
an African Elephant weighs about 4.5 t (4.96 US tons) — adult male 4,500–6,100 kg; adult female 2,000–3,500 kg.
How much is an African elephant in pounds and ounces?
9,920 lb, which is 159,000 oz. In metric terms: 4,500 kg.
Is an African elephant heavier than an average new car?
Yes. an African Elephant weighs about 4.5 t (4.96 US tons), while an average new car is about 4,350 lb (1,980 kg) — roughly 2.3×.
Where does this number come from?
Every source is listed at the bottom of this page with publisher, link, access date and a verbatim quote. Numbers are only published when a qualifying source can be verified.