A coyote can run at up to about 72 km/h (45 mph) in a short sprint, according to the US National Park Service. That is as fast as a car on a country road, and much faster than any person. Over longer distances coyotes run much slower, and nobody has timed one carefully.
Most speed figures you read online are between 56 and 72 km/h (35 and 45 mph). They are estimates, often from people driving next to running coyotes, not careful lab measurements. So treat the top number as a best guess for a fit coyote in a short burst.
How fast can a coyote run compared with other animals?
A coyote is quick for a medium-sized dog. It weighs only 11 to 16 kg (25 to 35 lb) and stands 41 to 51 cm (16 to 20 in) at the shoulder, says Yellowstone National Park. That is about the size of a border collie. The table compares its top speed with other animals.
| Animal | Top speed | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Up to about 72 km/h (45 mph) | NPS Gulf Islands; an estimate |
| Moose | Up to about 56 km/h (35 mph) | Alaska Department of Fish and Game |
| Fastest human sprinter | About 44 km/h (27 mph), for a few seconds | World-record 100 m pace (not verified here) |
| Greater roadrunner | Often given as about 30 km/h (20 mph) | Commonly quoted; we could not open a primary source |
| Typical person jogging | About 10 km/h (6 mph) | Rough everyday figure |
For the fastest land animals on Earth, from cheetahs to pronghorns, see our list of the fastest animals in the world.
How long can a coyote run at top speed?
Not long. Like most sprinters, a coyote can only hold its top speed for a short dash. Older versions of this page gave exact distances, such as “under 0.4 km at top speed” and “15 to 20 mph for 2 miles”. We could not find a study behind them, so we have removed them.
What is clear is that coyotes are built for trotting. Their usual gait is a steady trot that uses little energy. That lets them cover a home range of 8 to 39 km² (3 to 15 sq mi), which is what Yellowstone reports for its coyotes. The sprint is saved for pouncing on prey or escaping danger.
Why do coyotes need speed?
Mostly to catch small, quick animals. In Yellowstone, coyotes eat mainly voles, mice, rabbits and other small animals, plus carrion, says the National Park Service. In the Chicago area, researchers checked 1,429 coyote droppings. They found small rodents in 42%, fruit in 23%, deer in 22% and rabbit in 18%, reports the Urban Coyote Research Project.
A rabbit zig-zags, so bursts of speed and quick turns matter more than stamina. Coyotes also need speed to escape. Wolves and cougars sometimes kill coyotes. Our guide to what eats a coyote explains who their enemies are.
Is a coyote faster than a roadrunner?
Yes, by a wide margin. The cartoon has it backwards. A roadrunner is a ground bird that runs more than it flies, and its speed is commonly given as about 30 km/h (20 mph). A coyote in a sprint is more than twice as fast. Real coyotes do eat birds, but a roadrunner can also dodge into a bush or flap into the air.
Are coyotes faster than dogs?
Faster than most pet dogs, yes. The average family dog is not bred for sprinting. A few sighthound breeds, such as greyhounds, are among the fastest dogs and are likely as quick as a coyote, or quicker, over a short dash. Nobody has raced them fairly, so the answer depends on the dog.
Coyotes and dogs are close relatives. So are wolves, which are about three times heavier than coyotes, according to the Yellowstone fact sheet. See how the bigger cousin is built in adaptations of a wolf.
Can you outrun a coyote?
No. Even the fastest human sprinter is much slower than a coyote. The good news is that you rarely need to. Coyotes are usually wary of people, and attacks on humans are rare.
If a coyote comes close, experts advise the opposite of running. Stand tall, wave your arms and make loud noises until it leaves. Running can make an animal chase you. Keep small pets on a lead and bring them in at night, because coyotes may see cats and small dogs as prey.
Quick facts: coyote speed
- Top sprint: up to about 72 km/h (45 mph), an estimate (NPS).
- Usual gait: a steady trot.
- Weight: 11 to 16 kg (25 to 35 lb).
- Faster than: people, roadrunners and most pet dogs.
- Slower than: cheetahs, pronghorns and some greyhounds.
Frequently asked questions
How fast can a coyote swim?
We could not find a measured swimming speed for coyotes. They can and do swim across rivers and lakes when they need to, like most dogs, but they are much faster on land than in water.
How high can a coyote jump?
Coyotes can clear ordinary garden fences, which is why wildlife agencies suggest tall fences with a roller or overhang to keep them out of yards. We did not find a measured record height from an authoritative source, so be wary of exact numbers online.
Are coyotes faster than wolves?
They are probably about as fast in a short sprint. Both are built for trotting long distances with bursts of speed. No careful side-by-side test has been done. Wolves are much heavier, which helps them hunt large prey such as elk, while coyotes mostly hunt small animals.
How much does a coyote weigh?
Most coyotes weigh 11 to 16 kg (25 to 35 lb), according to Yellowstone National Park and the Urban Coyote Research Project. A few big individuals reach about 19 kg (42 lb). They are much lighter than they look, because their thick fur makes them seem bigger.
Sources
- US National Park Service, Gulf Islands National Seashore (2020). Coyotes.
- US National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park. Coyote.
- Urban Coyote Research Project (Cook County, Illinois). General information about coyotes.
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Moose (wildlife viewing).
Sources checked 15 September 2026.
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