Stuffed animals come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny plush keychains to jumbo teddy bears over 6 feet tall. With such a range, stuffed animals can weigh anywhere from a couple ounces to over 50 pounds.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Most standard stuffed animals weigh between 4-16 ounces on average. Very small stuffed animals may only weigh 1-2 oz while jumbo stuffed animals can weigh 10+ pounds.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about stuffed animal weights. You’ll learn what impacts the weight of a stuffed animal, see average weight ranges for common types and sizes, find out how to weigh your own stuffed animals, and get examples of some delightfully chunky plush pals.
What Impacts the Weight of a Stuffed Animal
Type of Filling
The type of filling used in a stuffed animal can significantly influence its weight. Polyester fiberfill is one of the most common fillings. It is lightweight and fluffy, resulting in a relatively light stuffed animal. Cotton is heavier than polyester and will add some weight.
Heavier fillings like plastic pellets or glass beads will dramatically increase the weight of a stuffed toy. The filling density also matters – lightly stuffed animals weigh less than firmly packed ones.
Ultimately, polyester and cotton are best for light and soft cuddly stuffed critters, while heavy fillings are better for weighted toys.
Amount of Filling
It stands to reason that the more filling in a stuffed animal, the heavier it will be. A lightly stuffed animal might weigh only a few ounces. Pump up the amount of fluff inside and you can create an oversized stuffed creature weighing multiple pounds.
Giant six-foot-tall teddy bears at county fairs often weigh over 50 pounds thanks to abundant fillings. The distribution or balance of the filling also affects overall weight – a toy stuffed primarily in the limbs will feel lighter than one with fill concentrated in a dense torso.
So stuff away for a delightfully chonky stuffed pal!
Exterior Fabric and Components
While the stuffing provides the bulk of a stuffed toy’s weight, the materials forming its exterior covering will also contribute ounces and pounds. Plush faux fur fabrics tend to be lightweight, while thicker woven materials like canvas weigh more.
Extra decorations will also add up – plastic noses and eyes, ribbons, buttons, zippers, squeakers, and textile accessories will make the animal weigh more. Finally, the size of the stuffed creature plays a key role too.
An itty bitty beanie baby weighs next to nothing, while a jumbo teddy bear tips the scales – all thanks to bigger exterior fabric needs.
| Filling Material | Weight |
|---|---|
| Polyester fiberfill | Light |
| Cotton | Medium light |
| Plastic pellets | Heavy |
| Glass beads | Very heavy |
Average Stuffed Animal Weights by Size
Small stuffed animals (4-7 inches)
Small stuffed animals typically range from 4 to 7 inches in height. At this size, most weigh between 3 and 8 ounces. Popular small stuffed animals include little bears, rabbits, cats, dogs, and more. The exact weight can vary depending on the density and materials used.
For example, a 6-inch teddy bear may weigh around 5 ounces, while a 7-inch stuffed animal made with super soft fur or a weighted material could be over 8 ounces. Very small 4-inch stuffed animals often weigh less than 3 ounces.
Medium stuffed animals (8-15 inches)
When stuffed animals get into the medium size range of 8 to 15 inches tall, their weight increases to between approximately 8 ounces on the small end up to 1-2 pounds for larger 15 inch plushes. Expect most medium stuffed animals to fall in the middle around 12-14 ounces.
Giant teddy bears and other medium sized 15 inch plushes may weigh a full 1 to 2 pounds. While an 8-inch teddy would likely be under 12 ounces. Like with small plushes, the exact weight depends on factors like fur density, weighted features, accessories, and more.
Large stuffed animals (16-24 inches)
Once stuffed animals grow to between 16 and 24 inches tall, expect them to weigh from 1 pound on the lighter end up about 5 pounds on average. Most standard large stuffed animals in the 20 inch range weigh approximately 2-3 pounds.
Jumbo stuffed animals at the top of the large size scale around 24 inches tall often weigh a hefty 4-5 pounds or more. Larger accessories like sounds, moving parts, or weights inside can add even more weight as well.
Jumbo stuffed animals (25+ inches)
Truly giant stuffed animals that stand at least 25 inches tall are considered jumbo size, and can easily weigh over 5 pounds or more. These almost lifesize plush friends often weigh in at 6-12 pounds or even heavier.
Massive 3-4 foot stuffed animals often weigh over 10 pounds. Some super giant 5 foot plus stuffed animals can weigh an incredible 30-50 pounds! At that size, shipping costs are high and some vendors even offer free local delivery only.
The shortest jumbo stuffed animals around 2-2.5 feet tall tend to start around 6 pounds. While 3 foot plus critters weigh 10 pounds at a minimum on average.
How to Weigh Your Own Stuffed Animals
Use a food scale
One easy way to weigh your stuffed animals is by using a food scale. Food scales are inexpensive, widely available, and can accurately measure weights up to around 5-10 pounds. To use a food scale:
- Place the stuffed animal directly on the weighing platform.
- Allow the display to stabilize and note the weight.
- For larger stuffed animals, you may need to weigh different parts separately and add them together.
When using a food scale, be gentle and avoid applying excess pressure or force to the weighing platform as this can damage the sensitive electronics. Food scales are very handy for getting rough estimates of stuffed animal weights.
Use a bathroom scale
Another option is to use a bathroom scale. Though not quite as precise, bathroom scales have greater weight capacities than food scales. To use this method:
- Stand on the bathroom scale yourself and note your weight.
- Pick up the stuffed animal and stand on the scale again while holding it.
- Subtract your weight alone from the new higher reading.
The difference is approximately the weight of the stuffed animal. Just be careful not to accidentally drop the stuffed animal while maneuvering on the scale, as a fall from adult holding height could damage it. This method also works better for smaller to medium-sized stuffed animals.
Weight yourself while holding the stuffed animal
For the most precise measurement, use a high capacity digital scale (some can go up to 400 lbs or more) to weigh yourself while holding the stuffed animal.
- Stand on the scale alone and note down your own weight.
- Pick up the stuffed animal, being careful not to put excess strain on the scale, and weigh again.
- Take the difference between the two numbers – that’s your stuffed friend’s true weight!
While cumbersome for everyday use, veterinarian scales and high-end digital body weight scales provide the greatest accuracy for medium-to-large stuffed animals. Write down all the numbers as you take them for the best results.
| Weighing Method | Accuracy Level | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Food scale | Low-Medium | Small stuffed animals under 5 lbs |
| Bathroom scale | Low | Small-Medium stuffed animals under 15 lbs |
| High capacity digital scale | High | Stuffed animals over 15 lbs |
Weighing your stuffed animals can satisfy curiosity about just how hefty your fluffy friends really are. Now grab a scale and start measuring! For more fun facts and tips check out the Plush Memories stuffed animal blog.
Examples of Chunky & Heavy Stuffed Animals
6-foot teddy bears (25+ lbs)
Some of the chunkiest and heaviest stuffed animals out there are the giant 6-foot teddy bears. These massive plush bears can weigh over 25 pounds and are almost as big as an actual person! Brands like Giant Teddy sell 6-foot bears that can cost $200-$500.
Given their exceptional size and weight, 6-foot teddy bears make for great gifts or main attraction pieces. They often elicit reactions like “Wow!” and “Amazing!” thanks to their sheer scale. Just finding space for one can be a challenge in many homes!
😲 While cuddling with a 25-pound stuffed bear takes some effort, many owners enjoy having an ultra-large snuggle buddy. 🤗
Huge Pokemon Squishmallows (5+ lbs)
For fans of the popular Pokemon media franchise, some of the biggest and chunkiest stuffed animals available are the jumbo-sized Squishmallow plush toys. Some popular selections like the 5-foot Snorlax or 3-foot Charizard can weigh over 5 pounds each.
These oversized Pokémon Squishmallows make for awesome pillows, gaming chairs, or plush pals. They’re soft, durable, and full of that nostalgic Pokémon charm. Prices range from $20 for smaller Pokémon up to $100+ for the really giant ones.
While lighter than 6-foot teddy bears, they still have an impressively hefty feel when hugging or cuddling thanks to their sheer size. 😍 Any Pokémon fan would be lucky to have one!
Oversized unicorns & other fantasy creatures
Stuffed animals come in all shapes and sizes these days, including very chunky and heavy mythical creatures! Brands like Squishable offer giant plush unicorns, dragons, octopuses, sloths, and more ranging from 1 foot to over 4 feet tall.
These fantasy creature plush toys typically weigh 1-5 pounds or more. They make for fantastical huggable friends or decoration pieces, with their vibrant colors and ultra-soft fabrics. Prices range from $30-$150+.
One popular heavy and chunky pick is the 3-foot tall Unicorn with a weight of 5 pounds and a superior huggable shape according to happy customers. 🦄😊
| Type | Example Product | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 6-foot teddy bear | Giant Teddy’s Colin Teddy Bear | Over 25 lbs |
| Huge Pokémon Squishmallow | 5-foot Snorlax Plush | 5+ lbs |
| Oversized fantasy plush | 3-foot Squishable Unicorn | 5 lbs |
Conclusion
With extra stuffing and premium fabrics, some stuffed critters can pack on quite an impressive amount of plush pounds. But even with slight frames, all stuffed animals share the magical power to bring joy and comfort.
Whether you prefer pint-sized plushies you can take anywhere or long to snuggle up with an enormous teddy, stuffed animals make wonderful companions.
