Dimensions
| Measurement | Metric | Imperial | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standing height (adult male) | up to 1.8 m | up to 6 ft | Western lowland gorilla males stand up to 6 ft (1.8 m) tall. Maximum | [1] |
| Standing height (adult female) | up to 1.4 m | up to 4.5 ft | Females stand up to 4.5 ft (1.4 m) tall. Maximum | [1] |
| Arm span (adult male) | ≈ 2.4 m | ≈ 8 ft | Adult males have an arm span of 8 ft (2.4 m); females 6.5 ft (2 m). Approximate | [1] |
| Mass (adult male, average) | ≈ 140 kg | ≈ 300 lb | Average adult male weight, 300 lb (136.1 kg). Approximate | [1] |
| Mass (adult male, maximum) | up to 230 kg | up to 500 lb | Adult males weigh up to 500 lb (226.8 kg). Maximum | [1] |
| Mass (adult female) | 68–91 kg | 150–200 lb | Adult females weigh 150 to 200 lb. Range: varies | [1] |
About the gorilla
Gorillas are the largest of the great apes, and adult males, called silverbacks, are much larger than females. The western lowland gorilla, the smallest subspecies and the one most often seen in zoos, has males that stand up to about 1.8 m tall and weigh an average of 136 kg. Gorillas usually move on all fours, walking on their knuckles because their arms are longer than their legs.
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance gives males a height of up to 5.7 ft (1.75 m) and a weight of 300 to 400 lb (136 to 181 kg); females reach up to 5 ft (1.5 m) and 159 to 216 lb (72 to 98 kg). [2]
- Newborn gorillas weigh about 4 lb (2 kg), and for the first couple of years infants grow at twice the rate of a human baby. [1]
- An adult male gorilla eats about 45 lb of food per day, mostly leaves, stems and fruit; females eat about two-thirds as much. [1]
- Each gorilla has unique fingerprints and nose prints. [1]
How many fit?
- ≈ 1.6 × Human · body mass on the scales weigh as much as Gorilla · mass (adult male, average)
- ≈ 2.4 × House cat · length (average adult) lined up end to end match the Gorilla · standing height (adult male)
- ≈ 25–33 × House cat · adult mass on the scales weigh as much as Gorilla · mass (adult male, average)
Counts divide one sourced figure by another. "End to end" uses each object's main measurement; weight and volume rows appear only when both figures are sourced.
How it compares
- 2.4× A gorilla is about 2.4 times as tall as a house cat is long. See side by side
- 3.1× A gorilla is about 3.1 times as tall as a Labrador Retriever is tall at the shoulder. See side by side
- 1.1× A gorilla is about as tall as an average adult. See side by side
- 1/1–1.5 A polar bear is about 1–1.5 times as long as a gorilla is tall. See side by side
- 1.1× A gorilla is about as tall as a horse is tall at the shoulder. See side by side
- 1/1.4–2 An African elephant is about 1.4–2 times as tall at the shoulder as a gorilla is tall. See side by side
Factors compare the standing height (adult male) of a gorilla with each object’s own main measurement (height for a human). Where a size varies, the factor is given as a range.
Notes on these figures
- The height is a maximum ('up to 6 feet') for males standing upright; gorillas normally stand and move on all fours, so the drawing should show an upright male at that height.
- Sources differ on male height: 6 ft (1.8 m) from the National Zoo versus 5.7 ft (1.75 m) from San Diego Zoo. The National Zoo figure is used.
- The National Zoo pairs '150 to 200 pounds' with a single metric value of 113.4 kg (which equals 250 lb); the pound figures are stored.
- WWF was not consulted; the figures are for the western lowland subspecies, and the larger eastern gorillas are not covered.
Sources
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Western Lowland Gorilla. Accessed 25 September 2026.
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Gorilla. Accessed 25 September 2026.