You already know Maine Coons are big. But “big” doesn’t quite cover a cat that stretches longer than a baseball bat. When people ask about the world record largest Maine Coon cat, they’re usually picturing exactly that: a gentle giant that looks almost too large to be real.
So let’s settle it. Here are the actual record holders, how they measured up, and why this one breed keeps taking the crown.
| Longest cat ever | Stewie, 48.5 in (123 cm), measured 2010 |
| Longest living cat, last reported | Barivel, 47.2 in (120 cm), measured 2018 |
| Longest tail on a living cat | Mr. Pugsley Addams, 18.5 in (46.99 cm), verified 2025 |
| Tallest cat ever | Arcturus, a Savannah, 19.05 in (48.4 cm) |
| Heaviest cat listed | Himmy, a tabby, 46 lb 15 oz (category retired) |
| Typical Maine Coon length | 30 to 40 in, nose to tail tip |
| Typical male weight | 13 to 18 lbs, some over 20 |
What is the world record for the largest Maine Coon cat?
The world record for the largest Maine Coon, and the largest domestic cat ever, goes to a cat named Mymains Stewart Gilligan, better known as Stewie. On August 28, 2010, Stewie measured 48.5 inches (123 cm) from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail, earning the Guinness World Records title for longest domestic cat. He also held the record for the longest tail on a domestic cat at the time, at 16.3 inches (41.5 cm).
Stewie lived in Reno, Nevada, and was known as a friendly therapy cat. He passed away in 2013 at age 8. According to Guinness World Records, his record for longest cat ever still stands.
Who is the biggest Maine Coon cat alive today?
The last widely reported holder of the Guinness title for longest living domestic cat is Barivel, an Italian Maine Coon measured at 47.2 inches (120 cm) on May 22, 2018, when he was just two. That’s about an inch shy of Stewie. He lives in Vigevano, near Milan, where Guinness World Records says his owners sometimes take him out for a stroll in a buggy. He took the title from Ludo, a UK Maine Coon who measured 46.6 inches (118.33 cm) in 2015.
One honest caveat: Guinness doesn’t make the current holder easy to confirm, and we couldn’t verify Barivel’s status today. So read “alive today” as “the most recent holder on record.”
Here’s a detail that trips people up: “longest ever” and “longest living” are two different Guinness categories. Stewie holds the all-time record, while Barivel took the title among living cats in 2018. Both are Maine Coons, which tells you something about the breed.
Which Maine Coon has the longest tail?
The longest tail on a living domestic cat belongs to Mr. Pugsley Addams, a silver Maine Coon from Mound, Minnesota, at 18.5 inches (46.99 cm), verified on February 24, 2025. That’s more than 2 inches longer than Stewie’s 16.3-inch tail. Between them came Cygnus, another silver Maine Coon from Michigan, at 17.58 inches (44.66 cm). Your couch cushions never stood a chance.
Is the tallest cat in the world a Maine Coon?
No, the height records belong to the Savannah, not the Maine Coon. The tallest domestic cat ever measured by Guinness was Arcturus Aldebaran Powers, a Savannah from Michigan who stood 19.05 inches (48.4 cm) at the shoulder in 2016. Maine Coons still tower over most cats, at up to about 16 inches tall against 9 to 10 inches for a typical house cat.
Is a Maine Coon the heaviest cat on record?
No, and Guinness no longer tracks that record at all. For decades the title of largest domestic cat belonged to Himmy, a tabby from Queensland, Australia, who weighed 46 pounds 15 ounces (21.3 kg) when he died in 1986. Guinness has since stopped recognizing weight for domestic animals and focuses on length and height instead. The usual explanation is that a weight record would reward overfeeding, and given what extra pounds do to a cat, that’s a good call.
Why are Maine Coons so big?
Maine Coons are so big because of their genetics, their cold-climate origins, and, these days, breeders favoring size. The breed developed in the harsh winters of the northeastern United States, where a large, sturdy body, dense water-resistant coat, and long bushy tail were survival advantages. Guinness points to the same idea, known as Bergmann’s rule: animals in colder places tend to grow bigger because a larger body loses heat more slowly.
They also grow slowly. While most cats reach full size by 1 to 2 years, Maine Coons keep filling out until 3 to 5 years old, which adds to their impressive final dimensions. To learn more about the breed itself, see our full Maine Coon cat guide. If you love big cats, the Norwegian Forest Cat, Siberian, and Savannah are also worth a look.
How big is a normal Maine Coon compared to the record?
A typical Maine Coon is much smaller than the record holders, so don’t expect a four-foot cat at home. The usual length is 30 to 40 inches from nose to tail tip. Males usually reach 13 to 18 pounds, some top 20, and females run smaller. The record cats are extraordinary outliers, not the breed average. Even so, a cat this size needs sturdier gear, so look at a cat tree built for large cats before your kitten outgrows a flimsy one.
Keep those numbers in mind if you’re shopping for a kitten and see “giant” or “XXL” Maine Coon claims. A healthy, well-bred Maine Coon is naturally large, but a responsible breeder won’t promise record-breaking size. Focus on health and temperament, and enjoy the fact that even an “average” Maine Coon is a genuinely big, lovable cat that can live a good, long life (here’s how long cats typically live).
Is a bigger Maine Coon a healthier Maine Coon?
No, and chasing size can work against the cat. In a study of 5,038 Maine Coons, 37.4% had hip dysplasia, and it was genetically linked to body mass. A 2024 UK life-table study put the breed at 9.71 years of life expectancy at birth, based on 69 deaths, which is shorter than the 11.89 years for crossbred cats. Even Stewie died at just 8, of cancer.
None of that means your big cat is doomed. It means a breeder’s health testing should matter far more to you than a promise of record-breaking size. Stiffness, trouble jumping, or a bunny-hopping walk are all worth a vet visit. This article is educational and isn’t a substitute for your veterinarian’s advice.
More big Maine Coon questions
Q: How much did the record Maine Coon weigh?
Guinness measures cats by length, not weight, so official records track how long a cat is nose to tail. Large Maine Coons often weigh in the 20-plus pound range, but weight isn’t how the record is judged.
Q: Are giant or XXL Maine Coons a real thing?
Maine Coons are genuinely large, but “giant” or “XXL” is marketing language, not an official size class. A reputable breeder prioritizes health and temperament over promises of record-breaking size.
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