American bison
The American bison is a large grazing mammal native to North America, recognised for its humped shoulders and thick fur.
Also known as: American buffalo, Bison bison
How big is it?
2.8 m long
Also 9.186 ft
Defined nose-to-rump length · defined specimen
Typical recorded range: 2.1 m to 3.5 m.
A little perspective
About the same scale as Table tennis table.
Table tennis table: A table tennis table is a flat, rectangular surface divided by a net for playing the game of table tennis.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
American bison
A defined adult American bison bull 2.8 m from nose to rump and 700 kg. Sex, age and population produce wide variation; the tail is excluded from the measured body span.
Smithsonian National Zoo — American bison
The marked defined nose-to-rump length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Table tennis table
2.74 × 1.525 m playing surface. Excludes surrounding space.
WA Government — table tennis dimensions
The marked length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Change your perspective
Put it next to…
Choose a suggestion to redraw the comparison, or open its page to learn what it is.
Why this measurement?
Why we use 2.8 m
For comparison, this page uses defined nose-to-rump length. This is labelled defined specimen: an explicit comparison model rather than a claim that every example has the same value. The recorded range is 2.1 m to 3.5 m.
A defined adult American bison bull 2.8 m from nose to rump and 700 kg. Sex, age and population produce wide variation; the tail is excluded from the measured body span.
The marked horizontal span follows the named feature; transparent margins and unmeasured details do not alter it. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
American bison dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 m | 2.1 m to 3.5 m | defined specimen | |
| 700 kg | 450 kg to 900 kg | defined specimen |
Around this scale
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible length records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · Living thingsCow2.5 mA cow is a domesticated animal raised for milk, meat, and leather.
Around the same scale · SportTable tennis table2.74 mA table tennis table is a flat, rectangular surface divided by a net for playing the game of table tennis.
Nearest higher value · Living thingsAndean condor3.1 mThe Andean condor is a large vulture found in South America, notable for its broad wings and soaring flight.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- Smithsonian National Zoo — American bisonAdult body dimensions and mass vary strongly by sex and age; the atlas uses a defined bull within published ranges.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
Living thingsAmerican bison2.8 mThe American bison is a large grazing mammal native to North America, recognised for its humped shoulders and thick fur.Living thingsCow2.5 mA cow is a domesticated animal raised for milk, meat, and leather.SportTable tennis table2.74 mA table tennis table is a flat, rectangular surface divided by a net for playing the game of table tennis.
SpaceParker Solar Probe3 mThe Parker Solar Probe is a NASA spacecraft launched to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere at close range.Living thingsAndean condor3.1 mThe Andean condor is a large vulture found in South America, notable for its broad wings and soaring flight.
TransportApollo command module3.23 mThe Apollo command module was the conical spacecraft section that housed astronauts during NASA's Apollo lunar missions and re-entered Earth's atmosphere.
Everyday thingsLiving-room rug3 mA living-room rug is a large textile floor covering used to add comfort and style to a room.
Built worldBuilding storey3 mA building storey is a single level of a structure between two floors or a floor and a ceiling.