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British Shorthair size
The British Shorthair is a sturdy, medium to large cat that matures slowly. Males usually weigh 10–18 lb (4.5–8.2 kg) and females 8–15 lb (3.6–6.8 kg), and they can take 3–5 years to reach full size. Enter your cat's weight to see how it compares.
You'll see where your cat sits in the usual British Shorthair range.
Breed ranges are a guide, not a target: a healthy body shape matters more than the number on the scale. Last reviewed October 9, 2026.
How big do British Shorthairs get?
Breed registries and vet sources don't agree exactly, so here is what each one says about adult weight:
| Source | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| CFA | up to 17 lb | somewhat smaller |
| TICA | 10–16 lb | 8–11 lb |
| Purina | 12–18 lb | 9–15 lb |
| VCA | 6–12 lb (all adults) | 6–12 lb (all adults) |
Based on these figures, the size checker uses 10–18 lb (4.5–8.2 kg) for males and 8–15 lb (3.6–6.8 kg) for females. Ranges a source gives for all adults are shown for reference.
When do British Shorthairs stop growing?
CFA says British Shorthairs don't reach full size until about 3 years of age, and its breed standard allows 3–5 years. Purina says at least 3 years, and VCA up to 5. British Shorthairs keep filling out after their first birthday, so a 1-year-old can still be well below its adult weight.
There is no published month-by-month growth chart for British Shorthair kittens from a breed registry or vet source, so we don't print one. For the first months, compare your kitten with the kitten growth chart, and use the kitten feeding chart to see how much to feed.
British Shorthair size compared with other breeds
| Breed | Males | Females | Full size by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah | 11–25 lb | same range | about 3 years |
| Maine Coon | 12–22 lb | 9–15 lb | 3–5 years |
| Ragdoll | 15–20 lb | 10–15 lb | about 4 years |
| Siberian | 12–20 lb | 8–12 lb | 3–5 years |
| Bengal | 9–18 lb | 6–12 lb | about 2 years |
| British Shorthair | 10–18 lb | 8–15 lb | 3–5 years |
| Norwegian Forest Cat | 10–18 lb | 8–12 lb | up to 5 years |
| Siamese | 8–15 lb | 5–12 lb | about 1 year* |
| Persian | 9–14 lb | 7–11 lb | about 1 year* |
| Sphynx | 8–12 lb | 6–10 lb | about 1 year* |
| Average house cat | 8–12 lb | about 1 year | |
Weights are the overall ranges from the breed sources on each page. *No breed-specific age given; most cats reach adult size at about 12 months. The average house cat weighs about 8–12 lb (PetMD).
Questions people ask
How big do British Shorthairs get?
Males usually weigh 10–18 lb (4.5–8.2 kg) and females 8–15 lb (3.6–6.8 kg), and they can take 3–5 years to reach full size.
How much should a male British Shorthair weigh?
Sources give 10–18 lb (4.5–8.2 kg) for adult males. Your cat's body shape matters more than the number: use the cat weight calculator to check its body condition.
How much should a female British Shorthair weigh?
Sources give 8–15 lb (3.6–6.8 kg) for adult females. Females are usually smaller than males.
When is a British Shorthair full grown?
British Shorthairs can take 3–5 years to reach full size, according to the breed sources above. Most of the growth happens in the first year.
Is my British Shorthair overweight?
Breed ranges are wide, so check body shape instead: you should be able to feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above. The cat weight calculator uses the 9-point body condition score to estimate your cat's ideal weight.
How much should I feed a British Shorthair?
Base it on your cat's ideal weight and activity, not the breed. The cat food calculator turns that into calories and cans or cups.
Sources
- CFA: British Shorthair
- TICA: British Shorthair
- Purina: British Shorthair
- VCA: British Shorthair
- PetMD: Average weight of cats