Animals · Ranked by top speed

Fastest Mammals in the World (2026)

Mammal speeds on this page are numbers a named paper printed, not the round figures that move from list to list without a method. Each species has one ranked measurement. A timed or filmed result sits above a speedometer estimate, and an estimate sits above a claim we could not tie to a table.

18 rankedA source on every row

Post

Diet

18 mammals, ties share a rank.

1
Blackbuck
Antilope cervicapra
105km/h65.2mph29.2m/s56.7kn2.8× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
2
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
104km/h64.9mph29m/s56.4kn2.8× Bolt
VerifiedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
3
Pronghorn
Antilocapra americana
100km/h62.1mph27.8m/s54.0kn2.7× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
Tied for 4th
Springbok
Antidorcas marsupialis
97km/h60.3mph26.9m/s52.4kn2.6× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
Tied for 4th
Goitered gazelle
Gazella subgutturosa
97km/h60.3mph26.9m/s52.4kn2.6× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
6
Black wildebeest
Connochaetes gnou
90km/h55.9mph25.0m/s48.6kn2.4× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
Tied for 7th
Thomson's gazelle
Gazella thomsonii
81km/h50.3mph22.5m/s43.7kn2.2× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
Tied for 7th
Grant's gazelle
Gazella granti
81km/h50.3mph22.5m/s43.7kn2.2× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
Tied for 9th
Hartebeest
Alcelaphus buselaphus
80km/h49.7mph22.2m/s43.2kn2.1× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
Tied for 9th
Mongolian gazelle
Procapra gutturosa
80km/h49.7mph22.2m/s43.2kn2.1× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
Tied for 9th
Blue wildebeest
Connochaetes taurinus
80km/h49.7mph22.2m/s43.2kn2.1× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
Tied for 9th
Saiga
Saiga tatarica
80km/h49.7mph22.2m/s43.2kn2.1× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
Tied for 13th
Brown hare
Lepus europaeus
72km/h44.7mph20.0m/s38.9kn1.9× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
Tied for 13th
Antelope jackrabbit
Lepus alleni
72km/h44.7mph20.0m/s38.9kn1.9× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
15
African wild dog
Lycaon pictus
70km/h43.5mph19.4m/s37.8kn1.9× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
16
Wolf
Canis lupus
64km/h39.8mph17.8m/s34.6kn1.7× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
17
Lion
Panthera leo
59km/h36.7mph16.4m/s31.9kn1.6× Bolt
EstimatedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)
18
Impala
Aepyceros melampus
47km/h29.2mph13.1m/s25.4kn1.3× Bolt
VerifiedJournal of Zoology (opens source in a new tab)

The cheetah leads because N. C. C. Sharp timed an adult at 29 metres per second, the mean of three trials on a 201.2 metre course with a running start, in the Journal of Zoology in 1997. Theodore Garland's 1983 review used 110 km/h after reading estimates from 101 to 121 km/h. That 110 km/h value is on the cheetah page as an estimate. A. M. Wilson and colleagues later recorded 25.9 m/s as a hunting peak on five wild cheetahs in Botswana. The hunt peak is verified and is not the rank, because it is not a top-speed trial.

Every other row is a cell from Garland's Table I. The method code is the qualifier: film and timed marks are verified, and speedometer, subjective, or unknown methods are estimates. Domestic dogs and horses are omitted on purpose. Figures were checked on 6 October 2026.

How we measure

Top speed

One maximal running speed per species: a timed or filmed result outranks a speedometer or subjective estimate from the same literature review.

The ranked cheetah figure is Sharp's 29 m/s timing. Garland's 110 km/h and Wilson's 25.9 m/s hunt peak stay on the entry and do not take the rank.
Other mammals are the Table I values Garland published in 1983. Method F (film) or T (timed) is verified. Methods S, E and U are estimated.
Domestic dogs and horses are not on this list. The greyhound has its own page.
Conversions to other units are done in code from the unit the source printed. We do not store a second converted measurement.

What the labels mean

Official: Ratified by a governing body such as the FIA, World Athletics or Guinness World Records.
Verified: Independently measured and published, for example in a peer-reviewed study or with certified timing.
Claimed: Stated by a manufacturer, owner or publication without independent timing.
Estimated: Calculated or approximated rather than directly timed.
Disputed: Contested by experts or contradicted by other evidence.

How we verify every figure

Speed race

See the top two side by side at true relative speed, over 100 m or any distance.

Race #1 vs #2

The lineup · 18 on file

Meet the mammals

One card per entry, with its headline figure and where it ranks.

Ranked by top speed

Fastest Mammals

Blackbuck
Antilope cervicapra
Top speed
105km/h65.2mph29.2m/s56.7knEstimated2.8× Bolt
#1 of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
Top speed
104km/h64.9mph29m/s56.4knVerified2.8× Bolt
#2 of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Pronghorn
Antilocapra americana
Top speed
100km/h62.1mph27.8m/s54.0knEstimated2.7× Bolt
#3 of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Goitered gazelle
Gazella subgutturosa
Top speed
97km/h60.3mph26.9m/s52.4knEstimated2.6× Bolt
Tied for 4th of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Springbok
Antidorcas marsupialis
Top speed
97km/h60.3mph26.9m/s52.4knEstimated2.6× Bolt
Tied for 4th of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Black wildebeest
Connochaetes gnou
Top speed
90km/h55.9mph25.0m/s48.6knEstimated2.4× Bolt
#6 of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Grant's gazelle
Gazella granti
Top speed
81km/h50.3mph22.5m/s43.7knEstimated2.2× Bolt
Tied for 7th of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Thomson's gazelle
Gazella thomsonii
Top speed
81km/h50.3mph22.5m/s43.7knEstimated2.2× Bolt
Tied for 7th of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Blue wildebeest
Connochaetes taurinus
Top speed
80km/h49.7mph22.2m/s43.2knEstimated2.1× Bolt
Tied for 9th of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Hartebeest
Alcelaphus buselaphus
Top speed
80km/h49.7mph22.2m/s43.2knEstimated2.1× Bolt
Tied for 9th of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Mongolian gazelle
Procapra gutturosa
Top speed
80km/h49.7mph22.2m/s43.2knEstimated2.1× Bolt
Tied for 9th of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Saiga
Saiga tatarica
Top speed
80km/h49.7mph22.2m/s43.2knEstimated2.1× Bolt
Tied for 9th of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Antelope jackrabbit
Lepus alleni
Top speed
72km/h44.7mph20.0m/s38.9knEstimated1.9× Bolt
Tied for 13th of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Brown hare
Lepus europaeus
Top speed
72km/h44.7mph20.0m/s38.9knEstimated1.9× Bolt
Tied for 13th of 18 · Fastest Mammals
African wild dog
Lycaon pictus
Top speed
70km/h43.5mph19.4m/s37.8knEstimated1.9× Bolt
#15 of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Wolf
Canis lupus
Top speed
64km/h39.8mph17.8m/s34.6knEstimated1.7× Bolt
#16 of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Lion
Panthera leo
Top speed
59km/h36.7mph16.4m/s31.9knEstimated1.6× Bolt
#17 of 18 · Fastest Mammals
Impala
Aepyceros melampus
Top speed
47km/h29.2mph13.1m/s25.4knVerified1.3× Bolt
#18 of 18 · Fastest Mammals

Top speed · sourced

Mammals, sliced

Family, range and diet, with the same figures as the full ranking.

Mammals · Top speed
Sourced
Fastest predators
Hunters only: the cheetah, wild dogs, wolves and lions.
1. 1Cheetah104km/h64.9mph29m/s56.4kn
2. 2African wild dog70km/h43.5mph19.4m/s37.8kn
3. 3Wolf64km/h39.8mph17.8m/s34.6kn
4 predators
Mammals · Top speed
Sourced
Fastest antelope & gazelles
True antelope and gazelles, family Bovidae. The pronghorn isn't one, so it isn't here.
1. 1Blackbuck105km/h65.2mph29.2m/s56.7kn
2. Tied for 2ndGoitered gazelle97km/h60.3mph26.9m/s52.4kn
3. Tied for 2ndSpringbok97km/h60.3mph26.9m/s52.4kn
11 bovids
Mammals · Top speed
Sourced
Fastest African mammals
Savanna sprinters and the predators that chase them.
1. 1Cheetah104km/h64.9mph29m/s56.4kn
2. 2Springbok97km/h60.3mph26.9m/s52.4kn
3. 3Black wildebeest90km/h55.9mph25.0m/s48.6kn
10 mammals
Mammals · Top speed
Sourced
Fastest Asian mammals
Mammals whose native range includes Asia.
1. 1Blackbuck105km/h65.2mph29.2m/s56.7kn
2. 2Cheetah104km/h64.9mph29m/s56.4kn
3. 3Goitered gazelle97km/h60.3mph26.9m/s52.4kn
8 mammals
Mammals · Top speed
Sourced
Fastest European mammals
Mammals whose native range includes Europe.
1. 1Brown hare72km/h44.7mph20.0m/s38.9kn
2. 2Wolf64km/h39.8mph17.8m/s34.6kn
2 mammals
Mammals · Top speed
Sourced
Fastest North American mammals
The pronghorn, a desert jackrabbit and the grey wolf.
1. 1Pronghorn100km/h62.1mph27.8m/s54.0kn
2. 2Antelope jackrabbit72km/h44.7mph20.0m/s38.9kn
3. 3Wolf64km/h39.8mph17.8m/s34.6kn
3 mammals
Dogs · Top speed
Sourced
Wild dogs vs greyhounds
The African wild dog, the grey wolf and the greyhound record on one list.
1. 1African wild dog70km/h43.5mph19.4m/s37.8kn
2. 2Greyhound67.32km/h41.8mph18.7m/s36.3kn
3. 3Wolf64km/h39.8mph17.8m/s34.6kn
3 canids

Head to head

Popular comparisons

1.6×
Cheetah vs Greyhound
A cheetah is about 1.6× faster than a greyhound.
1.3×
Cheetah vs Peregrine falcon
A peregrine falcon is about 1.3× faster than a cheetah.

Spot a wrong number?

Every report is read by a person, and corrections are dated on the page.

Meet the mammals

Fastest Mammals

Mammals, sliced

Popular comparisons

Related rankings

Spot a wrong number?