The polar bear is the biggest bear in the world. Males can reach 1,700 pounds and stand 10 feet tall on their hind legs. The sun bear is the smallest, at 55 to 143 pounds.
This bear size comparison shows how every species stacks up against the others and against you.
Bear Size Comparison Chart
| Bear | Weight | Standing Height | Length | Found In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polar bear | 800–1,700 lbs (360–770 kg) | 8–10 ft | 7–8 ft | Arctic, Alaska |
| Kodiak bear | 600–1,400 lbs (270–635 kg) | 8–10 ft | 8 ft | Kodiak Archipelago, Alaska |
| Grizzly bear | 400–790 lbs (180–360 kg) | 6–7 ft | 6.5 ft | Alaska, Rockies |
| American black bear | 200–600 lbs (90–270 kg) | 5–7 ft | 5–6 ft | North America |
| Asian black bear | 220–440 lbs (100–200 kg) | 5–6 ft | 4–6 ft | Asia |
| Spectacled bear | 175–340 lbs (80–155 kg) | 5–6 ft | 4.5–6 ft | South America |
| Sloth bear | 120–310 lbs (55–140 kg) | 5–6 ft | 4–6 ft | India, Sri Lanka |
| Giant panda | 200–300 lbs (90–135 kg) | 4–5 ft | 4–6 ft | China |
| Sun bear | 55–143 lbs (25–65 kg) | 4–5 ft | 3.5–4.5 ft | Southeast Asia |
Bear Weight vs. Height vs. Length
Weight, height and length do not always give the same ranking. A polar bear is long and lean for its weight. A big Kodiak is often heavier and bulkier at the shoulder. Wildlife biologists treat body mass as the fairest measure of bear size.
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Bear Size Comparison to Other Bear
Polar Bear vs. Grizzly Bear Size
A polar bear stands about 5 feet at the shoulder. A grizzly stands about 3.5 feet. Adult male polar bears average roughly 900 to 1,500 pounds, while grizzlies average 400 to 790 pounds. A grizzly’s paw can be wider, and its claws can top 4 inches. A polar bear’s claws stay under about 2 inches.
Polar Bear vs. Kodiak Bear Size
These two are the heaviest bears on land. Polar bears win on average. Still, a very large Kodiak can match or beat a smaller polar bear. Both can stand about 10 feet tall.
Grizzly Bear vs. Kodiak Bear Size
A Kodiak is a brown bear that lives on Alaska’s Kodiak Island. Rich salmon runs help it grow bigger than inland grizzlies. Large males can weigh up to 1,400 pounds, nearly double an average grizzly.
Black Bear vs. Grizzly Bear Size
An American black bear is about half the weight of a grizzly. Size alone can mislead you, though, because a big black bear can outweigh a small grizzly. Check the shoulder hump, dished face and long claws. Grizzlies have them, and black bears don’t. Fur color is not reliable.
Giant Panda vs. Black Bear Size
The giant panda is smaller than many people expect. Adults are about 200 to 300 pounds. A large American black bear can weigh twice that. A newborn panda is tiny, at only 3 to 5 ounces.
Sun Bear vs. Spectacled Bear Size
The sun bear is the smallest bear, about the size of a large dog. The spectacled bear is South America’s only bear and is much bigger. The sloth bear and Asian black bear also sit in the mid-to-small range.
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Bear Size Comparison to Humans
Bear Height vs. Human Height
On all fours, most bears are waist or chest high to an adult. Standing is another story. A polar bear at 10 feet is as tall as a basketball hoop. The average US man is about 5 feet 9 inches.
Bear Weight vs. Average Human Weight
The average US adult weighs about 180 pounds. A grizzly can weigh three to four times that. Even a sun bear can weigh close to a small adult, but with far more muscle.
Bear Size vs. Everyday Objects
A 1,500-pound polar bear weighs about as much as a small car. A standing Kodiak is taller than a standard 6-foot-8 doorway. An average black bear is about the weight of a large refrigerator.
What Affects Bear Size?
Male vs. Female Bear Size
Male bears are usually bigger than females. Male polar bears can be almost twice as heavy. Many black bears show a gap of 1.5 to 2 times. Sun bears show only a small difference.
Diet, Season and Habitat
Meat and fat build bigger bodies. Polar bears eat mostly seals. Coastal brown bears feast on salmon. Pandas eat bamboo, and black bears eat mostly plants. In fall, bears enter hyperphagia, a period of heavy eating, and may gain several pounds a day. Many lose a lot of that weight by spring.
Largest Bears Ever Recorded
The largest wild bear on record was a polar bear shot in Alaska in 1960. It weighed 2,209 pounds. Long ago, Arctotherium angustidens of South America is estimated to have reached about 3,500 pounds.
Bear Sizes in the USA
Alaska is the only state with polar bears, and it also has Kodiaks, brown bears and black bears. Grizzlies live in Alaska and in parts of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. American black bears live in about 40 states. Size does not equal danger, though. In bear country, keep your distance and store food properly.
More Post: Grizzly Bear Size
FAQ’s About Bear Size Comparison
Which bear is the biggest in the world?
The polar bear is the biggest. Males can reach 1,700 pounds and stand 10 feet tall on their hind legs.
Which bear is the smallest?
The sun bear is the smallest. It weighs 55 to 143 pounds and stands about 4 to 5 feet tall upright.
Who is bigger, a polar bear or a grizzly bear?
A polar bear is bigger on average. A large coastal grizzly or Kodiak can come close in weight.
How tall is a bear compared to a human?
Standing bears are usually 5 to 10 feet tall. That makes most species taller than the average person.
Is a Kodiak bear bigger than a grizzly bear?
Yes, usually. A Kodiak can weigh up to 1,400 pounds, while most grizzlies weigh 400 to 790 pounds.
How big is an American black bear?
Most weigh 200 to 600 pounds and stand 5 to 7 feet tall upright. They are the smallest bear in North America.
I’m Ethan Parker, a writer focused on animals and wildlife. I share simple, useful facts about animal size, behavior, habitats, and unique traits.
