The Maine Coon is widely considered the biggest domestic cat breed, with adults weighing 9–20 pounds, standing 10–16 inches tall at the shoulder, and reaching around 40 inches in length. The breed also holds the record for the longest domestic cat ever measured, at 48.5 inches from nose to tail.
This guide breaks down all 12 largest cat breeds, ranked by size, with real weight, height, and length numbers. You’ll also learn what makes a breed “big” and how to care for one at home.
| Cat Breed | Weight | Height | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine Coon | 9–20 lb | 10–16 in | United States |
| Savannah | 9–15 lb | 10–13 in | United States |
| Ragdoll | 10–20 lb | 9–11 in | United States |
| Norwegian Forest Cat | 12–16 lb | Around 12 in | Norway |
| Siberian | 17–26 lb | 9–11 in | Russia |
| British Shorthair | 8–18 lb | 11–14 in | Britain |
| Turkish Van | 7–20 lb | 9–11 in | Turkey |
| Bengal | 6–15 lb | 13–16 in | United States |
| Chausie | 12–25 lb | 14–18 in | United States |
| Cheetoh | 12–25 lb | 12–18 in | United States |
| RagaMuffin | 8–20 lb | — | United States |
| American Bobtail | 7–18 lb | 10–14 in | United States |
Biggest Cat Breed in the World — Top 12 Largest Cat Breeds
Maine Coon
Widely called the biggest domestic cat breed, the Maine Coon can reach 40 inches long, stand 10 to 16 inches tall, and weigh 9 to 20 pounds. It comes from the United States, specifically Maine.The world’s longest cat ever recorded was a Maine Coon named Stewie, measuring 48.5 inches nose to tail.
Savannah
The Savannah stands 10 to 13 inches tall, weighs 9 to 15 pounds, and can measure over 20 inches long. It originated in the United States from crossing a domestic cat with an African Serval. Savannahs can jump up to 8 feet straight into the air from a standing position.
Ragdoll
Ragdolls Cat reach 17 to 21 inches long, stand 9 to 11 inches tall, and weigh 10 to 20 pounds. This breed began in the United States in the 1960s. Ragdolls go limp when picked up, which is exactly how the breed got its name.
Norwegian Forest Cat
Norwegian Forest Also called the “Wegie,” this breed measures around 12 inches in height and weighs 12 to 16 pounds. It comes from Norway, where Vikings are believed to have kept them over 1,000 years ago. Its triple-layer coat repels snow and ice.
Siberian
The Siberian stands 9 to 11 inches tall and weighs 17 to 26 pounds, making it one of the heaviest breeds pound for pound. It’s a natural landrace breed from Russia. Siberians are often considered lower-allergen due to reduced Fel d1 protein in their saliva.
British Shorthair
This round-faced breed weighs 8 to 18 pounds and stands 11 to 14 inches tall. It traces back to cats brought to Britain by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago. Males can weigh up to 17 pounds, nearly double the size of females.
Turkish Van
Turkish Vans weigh 7 to 20 pounds and stand 9 to 11 inches tall. The breed comes from the Lake Van region of Turkey. Turkish Vans have a water-repellent coat and are famous for actually enjoying swimming.
Bengal
Bengals Cat stand 13 to 16 inches tall and weigh 6 to 15 pounds, with a lean, athletic build. The breed was developed in the United States by crossing domestic cats with Asian Leopard Cats. Their coat can have a glitter effect, caused by hollow, light-reflecting hair shafts.
Chausie
The Chausie is one of the tallest breeds, standing 14 to 18 inches at the shoulder and weighing 12 to 25 pounds. It originated from crossing the wild jungle cat (Felis chaus) with domestic breeds in the United States. Its long legs make it one of the fastest domestic cat breeds.
Cheetoh
Cheetohs weigh 12 to 25 pounds and stand 12 to 18 inches tall, with a broad, muscular frame. This United States breed was created by crossing the Bengal with the Ocicat. Despite its wild spotted look, the Cheetoh is known for a calm, people-focused temperament.
RagaMuffin
RagaMuffins weigh 8 to 20 pounds and are considered one of the largest long-haired cat breeds. The breed developed in the United States as an offshoot of the Ragdoll. RagaMuffins keep growing until around 4 years old, longer than most breeds.
American Bobtail
This breed weighs 7 to 18 pounds and stands 10 to 14 inches tall, with a sturdy, wild-looking body. It originated in the United States in the late 1960s. Its short “bobbed” tail comes from a natural genetic mutation, not breeding with wild bobcats.
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Biggest Cat Breeds by Weight, Height, and Length
Heaviest Cat Breeds (by average weight)
By top weight, the Siberian, Chausie, and Cheetoh lead the pack, with healthy adults reaching 25 pounds or more. The Maine Coon and Ragdoll follow close behind.
Tallest Cat Breeds (by shoulder height)
The Chausie and Cheetoh stand tallest, both reaching up to 18 inches at the shoulder. The Bengal and Savannah also rank high due to their long, athletic legs.
Longest Cat Breeds (by nose-to-tail length)
The Maine Coon wins here, with some individuals measuring nearly 4 feet nose to tail. The Ragdoll and Savannah are the next longest breeds on average.
World’s Largest Cat on Record
Longest Domestic Cat Ever Recorded
The longest domestic cat ever recorded was Stewie, a Maine Coon who measured 48.5 inches from nose to tail tip. A more recent Maine Coon, Ludo, measured 45.6 inches and currently holds the living record.
Heaviest Domestic Cat Ever Recorded
The heaviest cat on record was Himmy, who weighed 46.8 pounds at the time of his death in 1986. Guinness no longer tracks heaviest-cat records, to discourage owners from overfeeding cats for the title.
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FAQs About the Biggest Cat Breeds
What is the biggest cat breed in the world?
The Maine Coon is widely considered the biggest cat breed, reaching up to 20 pounds and nearly 40 inches long. It also holds the record for the longest domestic cat ever measured.
What is the heaviest cat breed?
The Siberian and Chausie rank among the heaviest breeds, with healthy adults reaching 25 pounds or more. Weight varies by individual, sex, and diet.
What is the tallest domestic cat breed?
The Chausie and Cheetoh are the tallest breeds, standing up to 18 inches at the shoulder. Their height comes from long legs inherited from wild ancestors.
Are big cat breeds more expensive?
Yes, large breeds like the Savannah and Chausie often cost more due to specialized breeding. Prices can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on generation.
Do big cat breeds live shorter lives than small cats?
Not significantly — most large breeds live 12 to 17 years, similar to average domestic cats. Genetics and health care matter more than size alone.
Are large cat breeds good with kids and other pets?
Many large breeds, including the Maine Coon and Ragdoll, are known for gentle, easygoing temperaments. Early socialization still plays the biggest role in how well any cat adapts to a busy household.
Robert Taylor is a content researcher and writer specializing in dimensions, measurements, and size comparison guides. He creates clear, practical content that helps readers understand real-world sizes and measurements with confidence. His work focuses on delivering accurate, easy-to-use dimension information in both U.S. and metric units.
