The Maine Coon is one of the most iconic cat breeds in the world—massive in size, sweet in temperament, and adored by families for their affectionate personalities. As the official state cat of Maine, this breed is often described as a “gentle giant” thanks to its friendly nature and impressive build.

But beyond the fluffy coat and bushy tail, many cat lovers wonder: Which Maine Coon holds the record as the largest ever?
Below is a complete guide to the world’s biggest Maine Coons—past and present—along with what makes this breed so spectacular.

The Maine Coon breed dwarfs pretty much all other breeds of feline that you might welcome into your home. 

How Big Are Maine Coon Cats?

Compared with the average domestic cat (8–10 lbs / 3.6–4.5 kg), an adult Maine Coon is dramatically larger:

• Weight: 10–25 lbs (4.5–11.3 kg)

• Height: 10–16 inches (25–41 cm)

• Length: Some individuals easily exceed 1 meter from nose to tail tip

Despite this imposing size, Maine Coons are famously gentle and people-oriented. They enjoy interacting with humans, coexist well with other pets, and are known for their dog-like loyalty. In short, the largest domestic cats are also some of the most affectionate.

Record-Holding Maine Coons: The Largest of All Time

Below are the most famous giants in the history of the breed, all officially recognized for their extraordinary length.

1. Barivel — Current Largest Living Maine Coon

• Length: 47.2 inches (120 cm)

• Country: Italy

• Born: September 2016

• Record Achieved: 2018

Barivel is the reigning Guinness World Record holder for the longest living domestic cat. His body length is almost identical to that of a small child, making him one of the most astonishingly large Maine Coons ever measured.

Despite his name meaning “clown” or “joker” in Italian, Barivel is actually very shy and calm. His diet mainly includes biscuits, fish, and chicken—no surprise considering how much energy a cat his size needs.

2. Ludo — Longest Domestic Cat from 2015 to 2018

• Length: 46.6 inches (118.33 cm)

• Home: Wakefield, United Kingdom

Before Barivel took the crown, Ludo was the world’s longest domestic cat. His owner intentionally sought out a large Maine Coon after falling in love with the magical big cats seen in the Harry Potter films.

Gentle but slightly clumsy, Ludo spent years as one of the most famous Maine Coons on the planet.

3. Stewie — The Longest Maine Coon in History (2010–2015)

• Length: 48.5 inches (123 cm)

• Tail Length: 16.1 inches (6.34 cm)

• Location: Nevada, USA

• Special Role: Certified Therapy Animal

Stewie—full name Mymains Stewart Gilligan—remains the longest Maine Coon ever recorded. His measurement from nose to tail was truly extraordinary, setting a benchmark no cat has surpassed.

Stewie was known for his friendly personality and worked as a therapy animal in senior centers. He passed away in 2013 but continued to hold the record until 2015.

4. Cygnus — World Record Holder for the Longest Tail

• Tail Length: 17.58 inches (44.65 cm)

• Owners: William & Lauren Powers, Michigan, USA

Cygnus was not the longest cat overall, but he holds the longest tail ever recorded for any domestic cat. His tail was longer than many cats’ bodies, making him one of the most unique Maine Coons ever known.

He tragically died in a house fire in 2017, but his remarkable tail record still stands today.

5. Altair — Current Record Holder for Longest Tail (Living Cat)

• Tail Length: 16 inches (40.6 cm)

• Family: Half-brother of Cygnus

After losing Cygnus, the Powers adopted his half-brother, Altair. Amazingly, Altair also developed an extraordinarily long tail. He now holds the record for the longest tail on a living domestic cat.

Interestingly, the same household also owns Fenrir, the world’s tallest living domestic cat—although Fenrir is an F2 Savannah, not a Maine Coon.

Why Are Maine Coons So Large?

The breed’s exceptional size comes from a combination of natural evolution and selective breeding:

• Adaptation to cold northern climates

• Strong bone structure and dense muscle mass

• Slow, steady growth over several years (up to 3–5 years to fully mature)

• Genetic lines favoring large frames and long bodies

Even so, they remain good-natured, intelligent, and social—qualities that make Maine Coons cherished pets worldwide.

animal tags： Maine Coons

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a Animals Top editor.