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Animal field guide

Cheetah vs Tiger

Compare the same curated facts on both sides, with metric and imperial units together.

Side-by-side facts

Cheetah vs Tiger

Field-guide comparison of Cheetah and Tiger
Feature Cheetah Tiger
Scientific nameAcinonyx jubatusPanthera tigris
DietCarnivoreCarnivore
HabitatSavanna & grasslandForests, mangroves & grassland
Typical lifespan10โ€“12 years10โ€“15 years
Typical adult weight21โ€“72 kg (46.3โ€“158.7 lb)90โ€“310 kg (198.4โ€“683.4 lb)
Typical body length110โ€“150 cm (43.3โ€“59.1 in)180โ€“280 cm (70.9โ€“110.2 in)
Recorded top speed110 km/h (68.4 mph)65 km/h (40.4 mph)
Social groupCoalitionSolitary

Figures are typical stored ranges, not limits for every individual, sex, subspecies or breed. Body length is nose-to-rump except for very tall species, where the field guide records height.

Direct answer

What the stored figures show

  • Cheetah has the higher recorded top speed in this field guide.
  • Tiger has the higher upper adult-weight figure in the stored range.
  • Tiger has the higher upper body-length figure in the stored range.
  • Tiger has the higher upper lifespan figure in the stored range.

These figures describe different traits; they do not make either animal universally better.