An adult grizzly weighs about 250 to 1,000 pounds and stands 5 to 8 feet tall on its hind legs. The exact grizzly bear size depends on sex, age, region, and season.
A bear in Yellowstone is smaller than one feeding on salmon in coastal Alaska. This guide explains why, and how grizzlies compare to other animals.
Grizzly Bear Size Chart
| Measure | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Average weight (Yellowstone) | 413 lb (187 kg) | 269 lb (122 kg) |
| Heaviest known (Yellowstone) | 715 lb (324 kg) | 436 lb (198 kg) |
| Standing height | Up to 8 ft (2.4 m) | About 6.5 ft (2 m) |
Average Grizzly Bear Weight
Grizzly bear weight changes all year. A bear is lean in spring and heavy in fall. Weight also climbs with age and food quality.
Grizzly Bear Height: On All Fours vs Standing
On all fours, a grizzly is about 3.5 to 4.5 feet tall at the shoulder hump. Standing, it reaches 5 to 8 feet.
Bears stand to see and smell better. It is not a threat display.
Grizzly Bear Length, Paw and Claw Size
A grizzly is roughly 5 to 8 feet long from nose to rump. The tail is tiny, just 3 to 4.5 inches.
The front claws average about 1.8 inches. The longest on record in Yellowstone reached 5.9 inches. In tracks, claw marks often show well ahead of the toes.
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Male vs Female Grizzly Bear Size
Adult Male Grizzly Bear Size
A male (boar) can top 600 pounds in the lower 48. Big coastal boars may pass 1,000 pounds. Males keep filling out into their prime, often by age 8 to 10.
Adult Female Grizzly Bear Size
A female (sow) usually weighs 200 to 450 pounds inland. She does not breed until about age 5 or 6. A sow that is too thin may lose her pregnancy, so body condition matters.
Grizzly Bear Cub Size and Growth by Age
A newborn cub weighs only about 1 pound. Cubs are born in the winter den, usually in January or February. Their eyes open at about 3 weeks.
By spring, cubs leave the den at roughly 10 to 25 pounds. They stay with mom for about 2.5 years on average. By then, they are strong enough to live on their own.
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What Affects Grizzly Bear Size?
Coastal vs Inland Grizzly Bear Size
Coastal grizzlies feast on salmon, which is high in fat and protein. They grow much bigger than inland bears.
| Type | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Inland | About 600 lb (272 kg) | About 300 lb (136 kg) |
| Coastal | About 900 lb (408 kg) | About 500 lb (227 kg) |
Seasonal Weight Changes and Hyperphagia
In fall, grizzlies enter hyperphagia, a stage of nonstop eating. A bear may take in 20,000 calories a day. In summer, it needs only 5,000 to 8,000.
Then it dens for 5 to 7 months without eating. A grizzly can lose 15 to 30 percent of its body weight while it sleeps.
Largest Grizzly Bears on Record
Record claims are tricky. Weights come from different studies and scales. The heaviest weighed Yellowstone male was 715 pounds.
Coastal brown bears can weigh far more. Treat “world record” claims with care, since many are estimates.
Grizzly Bear Size Compared to Other Animals
Grizzly Bear vs Black Bear Size
Grizzlies are clearly larger. A male grizzly weighs 400 to 1,000 pounds, while a male black bear weighs 150 to 600. Grizzlies also have a shoulder hump, a dished face, and longer claws.
Grizzly Bear vs Kodiak Bear Size
A Kodiak is a brown bear from Alaska’s Kodiak Archipelago. It is the same species as the grizzly, but larger. Big males often weigh 800 to 1,400 pounds and can stand about 10 feet tall.
Grizzly Bear vs Polar Bear Size
The polar bear is the largest land carnivore. Adult males weigh roughly 770 to 1,500 pounds. A big grizzly gets close, but the average polar bear is heavier.
Grizzly Bear Size vs a Human
The average U.S. adult man is about 5 feet 9 inches and 200 pounds. A male grizzly can weigh two to three times that. It can also run 35 to 40 miles per hour, faster than any human sprinter.
Grizzly Bear Size vs Moose and Bison
A bull moose weighs about 800 to 1,500 pounds. A bull bison weighs about 1,000 to 2,000 pounds. Both usually outweigh a grizzly, yet grizzlies still hunt elk, deer, and sometimes moose or bison calves.
FAQ’s About Grizzly Bear Size
How big is a grizzly bear?
An adult grizzly weighs about 250 to 1,000 pounds. It stands 5 to 8 feet tall on its hind legs.
How tall is a grizzly bear standing up?
Males reach up to 8 feet (2.4 m). Females stand about 6.5 feet (2 m).
How much does the average grizzly bear weigh?
In Yellowstone, males average 413 pounds and females 269 pounds. Coastal bears weigh more.
What is the biggest grizzly bear ever recorded?
The heaviest known Yellowstone male weighed 715 pounds. Coastal brown bears can be much heavier, but many record weights are estimates.
Are male grizzly bears bigger than females?
Yes. Males are about 1.5 times heavier than females. They also stand taller.
Is a grizzly bear bigger than a black bear?
Yes. A male grizzly can weigh up to 1,000 pounds, while a male black bear tops out near 600.
Does a bigger grizzly bear mean a more dangerous grizzly bear?
No. Grizzlies are seldom aggressive, but any bear can be dangerous if surprised or approached. Stay 100 yards away in Yellowstone and carry bear spray.
I’m Ethan Parker, a writer focused on animals and wildlife. I share simple, useful facts about animal size, behavior, habitats, and unique traits.
