Maine Coon cats have earned a reputation as gentle giants of the cat world, and it’s true – they are the largest domesticated cat breed. You might have seen photos online that make them look absolutely enormous, and while Maine Coons are indeed big, sometimes those pictures can be a bit misleading due to camera angles.
Having spent years with Maine Coons in my cattery, I can share some insights into their actual size. When we first welcomed Maine Coons into our lives, we were curious about just how large they would truly get. The picture below shows my 7-year-old child holding Marlin, our 2-year-old Maine Coon male. Now at 3.5 years old, Marlin has grown even more significantly since this photo was taken, increasing in both length and weight by about 27%. He’s a genuinely big cat, but it’s important to understand how Maine Coon size is measured, which includes their impressive tail.
According to The International Cat Association standards, a Maine Coon’s tail, when extended towards their head, should reach their shoulder blades. This means the tail accounts for roughly 3/4 of their total length! So, while they are large, a good portion of that length comes from their substantial tail. In the photo below, Marlin measures 38 inches from nose to tail tip and weighs around 25 lbs. Male Maine Coons are definitely large compared to average domestic cats, but they aren’t as massive as a lion, as some comparisons might suggest. Female Maine Coons, while still larger than typical cats, are noticeably smaller than their male counterparts. My adult females generally measure around 33 inches long and weigh about 18 lbs. For a clearer picture, here’s a size comparison chart:
Maine Coon vs. Regular Cat Size Comparison
| Cat Feature | Maine Coon | Normal Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 10 – 20 pounds (4.5 – 9 kgs) | 8 – 12 pounds (3.6 – 5.4 kgs) |
| Height to shoulder | 10 – 16 inches (25.4 – 40.6 cm) | 9 – 10 inches (22.9 – 25.4 cm) |
| Body length, nose to tail base | 19 – 30 inches (48.3 – 76.2 cm) | 15 – 20 inches (38.1 – 50.8 cm) |
| Tail length | 12 – 18 inches (30.5 – 45.7 cm) | 9 – 10 inches (22.9 – 25.4 cm) |
Female Maine Coon vs. Regular Female Cat Size Comparison
| Cat Feature | Female Maine Coon | Female Normal Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 10 – 15 pounds (4.5 – 6.8 kgs) | 8 – 10 pounds (3.6 – 4.5 kgs) |
| Height to shoulder | 10 – 14 inches (25.4 – 35.6 cm) | 9 inches (22.9 cm) |
| Body length, nose to tail base | 19 – 30 inches (48.3- 76.2 cm) | 15 – 20 inches (38.1 – 50.4 cm) |
| Tail length | 12 – 18 inches (30.5 – 45.7 cm) | 10 inches (25.4 cm) |
