Alligator vs Crocodile Speed
Which crocodilian is faster on land?
American alligator
18 km/h 11.2 mph
100 m in 20.00 secAlligator vs Crocodile
Same distance. Selected comparison speeds.
Large crocodile
17 km/h 10.6 mph
100 m in 21.18 secThe clock runs in real time; use Skip for long races. Each racer is held at its selected comparison speed, so this is playful—not a prediction of acceleration, endurance, terrain, behavior, or safety.
This comparison uses the american alligator at about 18 km/h (11.2 mph) (approximate land speed) and the large crocodile at about 17 km/h (10.6 mph) (approximate land speed). At those speeds, the american alligator is approximately 6% faster than the large crocodile.
American alligator
18 km/hApproximate land speedAn approximate short-burst land figure; published values vary.
Florida Fish and WildlifeLarge crocodile
17 km/hApproximate land speedAn approximate land figure; species and gait make a large difference.
BritannicaWhat this race does not show
This is a mathematical selected-speed comparison. It does not model acceleration, fatigue, terrain, motivation or animal behavior. Never use it as advice for approaching or escaping wildlife.