Red deer size depends on sex, age and habitat. A full-grown stag stands about 3.5 to 4.5 feet tall at the shoulder. It weighs about 200 to 420 pounds in the wild and measures 5.5 to 8.5 feet long. Hinds are smaller. Below, you’ll find the full numbers, antler sizes, and how a red deer compares with a moose, elk and white-tailed deer.
Red Deer Height, Weight & Length Chart
| Red Deer | Weight | Shoulder Height | Body Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stag (typical) | 200–420 lbs | 3.5–4.5 ft | 5.5–8.5 ft |
| Stag (park-fed, top end) | up to 750 lbs | about 4.5 ft | 7–8.5 ft |
| Hind | 140–265 lbs | 3.5–4 ft | 5.5–7 ft |
| Newborn calf | about 18–33 lbs | under 2 ft | about 3 ft |
Is the Red Deer the Largest Deer in Europe?
Almost. The red deer is the largest deer in Britain and one of the biggest deer species in the world. In Europe, only the moose (called elk there) is larger.
Male vs Female Red Deer Size
Red Deer Stag Size
A stag is built for fighting. It has a thick neck, a broad chest and a heavy frame. In the autumn, it grows a dark mane that makes it look even bigger.
Stags in rich park land can reach 750 pounds. Stags on poor hillsides stay far lighter.
Red Deer Hind Size
A hind is about one-third lighter than a stag. She stands close to 3.5 to 4 feet at the shoulder. Her body is slimmer, and she has no antlers.
Red Deer Calf and Yearling Size
A calf is born alone, usually between mid-May and mid-July. It weighs about 18 to 33 pounds. Its coat is spotted for camouflage.
Calves grow fast on their mother’s milk. A young stag keeps filling out for years. Most stags only mate after age five, once their body and antlers are in their prime.
Red Deer Antler Size
Red Deer Antler Length and Weight
Antlers are the biggest size change between sexes. A large stag’s antlers can span about 3 feet and weigh up to 33 pounds (15 kg). That is a heavy load to carry on the head.
Red Deer Antler Points Explained
Antlers gain points (tines) as a stag ages. A young stag may have only a few. A royal stag carries 12 points, and an imperial carries 14 or more. Branching is a rough clue to age and health.
Antler Growth Cycle and Velvet
Stags cast (shed) their antlers in March and April. New ones start to grow within weeks, covered in soft velvet. By August or September, the velvet is gone and the bone is hard.
Growing antlers burns a lot of energy. Stags often lose weight while they do it.
What Affects Red Deer Size?
Red Deer Size by Subspecies
Size varies a lot across the range. The Corsican red deer is among the smallest, at about 176 pounds. Deer from the Carpathian Mountains can reach roughly six times that weight.
Habitat and Food Supply
Food is the main driver. English park and woodland deer are often much bigger than Scottish hill deer. Scientists found that hill deer reach a size that fits their land, not their full genetic potential.
Seasonal Weight Changes and the Rut
Weight swings through the year. Stags bulk up in summer and early autumn. Then the rut (breeding season) arrives. They roar, fight and barely eat. By winter, many are noticeably lighter.
Red Deer in the USA
Red deer are not native to America. You will mostly find them on game ranches and in private herds. Don’t mix them up with the native elk (wapiti). Elk are a close relative, but they are bigger.
Red Deer Size Compared to Other Animals
Red Deer vs Moose Size
A bull moose weighs about 840 to 1,500 pounds and stands 5 to 6.5 feet tall at the shoulder. It reaches 7 to 10 feet in length. A red deer stag tops out near 420 pounds in the wild.
The moose is about three to four times heavier and a foot or more taller. Winner: moose.
Red Deer vs Elk Size
A bull elk weighs about 600 to 1,000 pounds. It stands 4.5 to 5 feet at the shoulder and runs 6.5 to 8.5 feet long. The two species are close cousins, but the elk is clearly bulkier. Winner: elk.
Red Deer vs White-Tailed Deer Size
A white-tailed buck weighs about 150 to 300 pounds. It stands 3 to 3.5 feet tall and runs 5 to 7 feet long. A red deer stag is taller, longer and heavier. Winner: red deer.
Red Deer vs Mule Deer Size
A mule deer buck weighs about 150 to 300 pounds. It stands 3 to 3.5 feet at the shoulder and measures 4.5 to 6.5 feet long. The red deer is the larger animal, and its body is deeper. Winner: red deer.
Red Deer vs Human Size
An average US man stands about 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds. A red deer stag is shorter at the shoulder. But with its head and antlers up, it can tower over a person. It can weigh twice as much. Winner: red deer.
FAQ’s About Red Deer Size
How big is a full-grown red deer?
A full-grown stag weighs 200 to 420 pounds and stands 3.5 to 4.5 feet at the shoulder. It measures 5.5 to 8.5 feet in length.
How tall is a red deer?
A stag stands about 3.5 to 4.5 feet at the shoulder. A hind stands about 3.5 to 4 feet. With its head and antlers raised, a stag looks much taller.
How much does a red deer weigh?
A wild stag weighs 200 to 420 pounds, and park-fed stags can reach 750 pounds. A hind weighs 140 to 265 pounds.
Is a red deer bigger than a moose?
No. A moose is about three to four times heavier. The red deer is only the biggest deer in Britain.
How big are red deer antlers?
Large antlers span about 3 feet and weigh up to 33 pounds. Stags cast them each spring and regrow them by late summer.
Hi, I’m Natalie Collins, the admin at MooseSizes.com. We simplify animal sizes, measurements, and wildlife comparisons with easy-to-follow guides, useful size charts, and accurate information to help you understand animal dimensions with confidence.
