Chimpanzee vs Gorilla
Verdict: Size is the quickest check. Gorillas are far bigger, with males at 300 to 400 pounds and up to 5.7 feet. Chimpanzees are about 3 feet and 70 to 120 pounds, with large ears and a bare face.
Chimpanzees and gorillas are both great apes from Africa, both knuckle-walk and both have no tail. They are different in size and in social life. An adult male gorilla weighs 300 to 400 pounds, more than three times a male chimpanzee at 90 to 120 pounds.
Chimpanzees have large, protruding ears, a bare face, and live in communities that can reach about 100 members. Gorillas live in troops of 5 to 30 led by a silverback who beats his chest when defending. Gorillas eat mostly plants, while chimpanzees eat plants and also hunt animals such as monkeys.
Chimpanzee vs Gorilla side by side
| Trait | Chimpanzee | Gorilla |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Females 70 to 100 lb; males 90 to 120 lb | Females 159 to 216 lb; males 300 to 400 lb |
| Height | About 3 ft from head to rump | Males up to 5.7 ft; females up to 5 ft |
| Face and head | Bare face, hands and feet; large ears that stick out | Adult males have a sagittal crest, a ridge along the skull |
| Locomotion | Knuckle-walks | Knuckle-walks |
| Tail | None | None |
| Diet | About 80 foods: seeds, fruit, leaves, bark, honey, insects and hunted animals | Leaves, stems, fruit, seeds, roots, ants and termites; mostly plants |
| Group | Families of 6 to 10 within communities up to about 100 | Troops of 5 to 30 led by a silverback |
| Range | Western and Central Africa forests | Central Africa rainforests |
| Lifespan (average) | About 32 years male, 40 years female | About 33 years male, 39 years female |
Last verified October 2026. Typical values; individual animals, products and local prices vary.
When you are looking at which
Chimpanzee
- A slimmer ape about 3 feet tall, with big ears that stick out and a bare face.
- A group of dozens moving through the forest, hunting small animals or making noise.
- An ape under about 120 pounds, which is small for a gorilla.
- An ape that eats a wide mix of foods, including meat from hunting monkeys.
Gorilla
- A huge ape, with males up to 5.7 feet and 300 to 400 pounds.
- A silverback leading a troop of 5 to 30 and beating his chest.
- A mostly plant-eating ape stripping leaves and stems.
- An ape in a Central African rainforest, such as Cameroon.
How this works
The quiz covers size, face, group, diet and display. It counts which species each answer fits and reports the total. If the animal is a juvenile, size will be less clear, so rely on the other cues. Size counts most when you can compare the ape to something nearby, like a person, a tree or another animal.
It compares the chimpanzee and gorilla in general. Bonobos are also apes and are not covered here, so use it as a guide. Young gorillas and chimps are closer in size, so lean on ears, group size and behavior for infants and juveniles.
Where these numbers come from
The figures and defaults on this page are based on:
- San Diego Zoo: Chimpanzee, Chimp weight, height, diet, group size, ears and knuckle-walking (checked October 2026)
- San Diego Zoo: Gorilla, Gorilla weight, height, diet, troop size and chest-beating (checked October 2026)
- Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund: Our Favorite Facts, Gorilla plant diet, group structure and silverback traits (checked October 2026)
Educational guide. Wild apes are endangered, so watch them only with licensed guides at a safe distance.
Frequently asked questions
Are chimpanzees bigger than gorillas?
No. Gorilla males weigh 300 to 400 pounds and chimpanzee males about 90 to 120 pounds. Gorillas are much larger.
Do chimpanzees and gorillas live in the same places?
Both live in African forests. Chimpanzees range across western and central Africa, while gorillas live in central African rainforests.
Do gorillas beat their chests?
Yes. A silverback defending his troop beats his chest with cupped hands, screams, bares his teeth and charges forward.
Do chimpanzees eat meat?
Yes, they eat about 80 different foods and also hunt wildlife such as monkeys and small antelope, along with seeds, fruit, leaves and insects.
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