How Heavy Is a Hippopotamus?
a Hippopotamus weighs about
1.5 t (1.65 US tons)
Typical range: 1,300 kg – 3,200 kg.
- 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 hippopotamus1,500 kg
adult male larger than female; males continue growing throughout life, females reach max weight ~age 25; typical range 1,300–3,200 kg
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Put it in perspective
- About 1.3× an average new car
- About 3.0× an African elephant
- About 100× a blue whale
Sources
[1] University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
Hippopotamus amphibius (hippopotamus) | Animal Diversity WebMuseum / zoo / university
“Weighing between 1,300 and 3,200 kg, hippopotamusi measure between 209 and 505 cm in length”
Value as published: 1,300 and 3,200 kg · accessed 2026-11-11.
[2] University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
Hippopotamus amphibius (hippopotamus) | Animal Diversity WebMuseum / zoo / university
“Males tend to be about 200 kg larger than females at maturity ... Males appear to continue growing throughout their life, while females reach their maximum weight around age 25.”
Value as published: Males ~200 kg larger than females at maturity · accessed 2026-11-11.
Last updated 2026-11-11.Report a correction (please include a source link).
Related objects
- a giraffe1.18 t (1.3 US tons)
- a great white shark2.04 t (2.25 US tons)
- a saltwater crocodile1.1 t (1.21 US tons)
- a white rhinoceros2.3 t (2.54 US tons)
- an Asian elephant3.5 t (3.86 US tons)
- a dairy cow600 kg (1,320 lb)
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hippopotamus weigh?
a Hippopotamus weighs about 1.5 t (1.65 US tons) — adult male larger than female; males continue growing throughout life, females reach max weight ~age 25; typical range 1,300–3,200 kg.
How much is a hippopotamus in pounds and ounces?
3,310 lb, which is 52,900 oz. In metric terms: 1,500 kg.
Is a hippopotamus heavier than an average new car?
No. a Hippopotamus weighs about 1.5 t (1.65 US tons), while an average new car is about 4,350 lb (1,980 kg) — roughly 1/1.32.
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.