Quick answer
A polar bear can reach about 40 km/h (25 mph) on land in short bursts. Terrain, motivation, and body condition (300–700 kg (660–1,540 lb)) all change the number you would measure.
Key takeaway
A polar bear can reach about 40 km/h (25 mph) on land in short bursts. Terrain, motivation, and body condition (300–700 kg (660–1,540 lb)) all change the number you would measure.
Polar Bear top speed
Published estimates put polar bear speed near 40 km/h (25 mph) on land. These are usually peak sprint figures, not cruising speeds held for long distances across Arctic sea ice and coasts.
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 polar bear speed
Limb proportions, muscle fibre mix, and mass (300–700 kg (660–1,540 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
Polar bears are Vulnerable and have become a global symbol of climate change. As the Arctic warms and sea ice forms later and melts earlier, bears have less time to hunt seals, leading to poorer body condition and lower cub survival.
Built for the Arctic
Polar bears are superbly adapted to extreme cold, with a thick layer of fat, dense insulating fur, and large paws that spread their weight on thin ice and act as paddles when swimming. Their fur appears white but is actually translucent, and their skin underneath is black.
Sources
Polar Bear FAQs
How fast is a polar bear?
A polar bear can reach about 40 km/h (25 mph) on land in short bursts. Terrain, motivation, and body condition (300–700 kg (660–1,540 lb)) all change the number you would measure.
What is the scientific name of the polar bear?
Ursus maritimus — used in research and conservation listings for polar bears.
What do polar bears eat?
Polar Bears eat mainly seals, with seasonal and regional variation in Arctic sea ice and coasts.
Where do polar bears live?
They are associated with Arctic sea ice and coasts. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of polar bears?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.