Quick answer
A cheetah can reach about Up to 112 km/h (70 mph) in short bursts. Terrain, motivation, and body condition (21–72 kg (46–159 lb)) all change the number you would measure.
Key takeaway
A cheetah can reach up to about 112 km/h (70 mph) in short bursts. Terrain, motivation, and body condition (21–72 kg (46–159 lb)) all change the number you would measure.
Cheetah top speed
Published estimates put cheetah speed near Up to 112 km/h (70 mph). These are usually peak sprint figures, not cruising speeds held for long distances across Grassland, savanna, semi-desert.
Sprint versus endurance
Most animals accelerate hard for capture or escape, then recover. Open ground favours higher recorded speeds; dense cover favours agility over raw pace.
Anatomy behind cheetah speed
Limb proportions, muscle fibre mix, and mass (21–72 kg (46–159 lb)) shape acceleration and top end. Heavier individuals may hit hard but tire sooner.
Reading speed claims
Methods differ (radar, filming, anecdote). Prefer ranges from recent field studies over viral single numbers, and never try to outrun wildlife.
Conservation
Cheetahs are Vulnerable, with fewer than an estimated 7,000 left in the wild. They face habitat loss, conflict with farmers, low genetic diversity, and high cub mortality, making them one of Africa's most threatened big cats.
Hunting and challenges
Cheetahs hunt by day, using sharp eyesight to spot prey and acceleration to run it down, then must rest to recover from the effort. Because they are relatively light, they often lose kills to lions and hyenas, and high cub mortality makes the species especially vulnerable.
Sources
Cheetah FAQs
How fast is a cheetah?
A cheetah can reach up to about 112 km/h (70 mph) in short bursts. Terrain, motivation, and body condition (21–72 kg (46–159 lb)) all change the number you would measure.
What is the scientific name of the cheetah?
Acinonyx jubatus — used in research and conservation listings for cheetahs.
What do cheetahs eat?
Cheetahs are described as carnivores, with seasonal and regional variation in Grassland, savanna, semi-desert.
Where do cheetahs live?
They are associated with Grassland, savanna, semi-desert. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of cheetahs?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.