How big is the Hoba meteorite compared to a bus or a car?
General knowledgeAsked by Anonymous from Frankfurt, Germany23 Oct 2026, 9:23 PM ISTUpdated
In one line
The Hoba meteorite is about as long as a big city bus and much wider and heavier than any car.
Hoba meteorite — Largest known intact meteorite The Hoba meteorite, the largest known intact meteorite on Earth. Image: WikipediaBus — Large road vehicle for transporting people A city bus, for size comparison with the Hoba meteorite. Image: WikipediaCar — Motorised passenger road vehicle A typical car, much smaller than the Hoba meteorite. Image: Wikipedia
The rule
The Hoba meteorite is the largest known intact meteorite on Earth, weighing about 60,000 kg and measuring roughly 2.7 m × 2.7 m × 0.9 m.
Let's understand it simply
Imagine a big city bus you see on the road. Now, think of a car parked next to it. The Hoba meteorite is almost as long as a bus from front to back, but it is shaped more like a thick, flat table. It is much wider and heavier than any car you have ever seen.
Hoba Meteorite vs Bus vs Car
Hoba Meteorite
City Bus
Car
Length
2.7 m
12 m
4 m
Width
2.7 m
2.5 m
1.7 m
Height/Thickness
0.9 m
3 m
1.5 m
Weight
60,000 kg
12,000 kg
1,200 kg
How it works
The Hoba meteorite is about 2.7 metres long and 2.7 metres wide.
Its thickness is about 0.9 metres.
A typical city bus is around 9–12 metres long, 2.5 metres wide, and 3 metres high.
A small car is about 4 metres long, 1.7 metres wide, and 1.5 metres high.
The meteorite is shorter than a bus, but almost as wide, and much thicker than a car.
The story behind it
The Hoba meteorite was found in Namibia, Africa, in 1920 by a farmer ploughing his field. It is famous because it is the largest meteorite that has not been moved from where it landed. No one has been able to move it because it is so heavy—about 60,000 kg, which is as heavy as 10 big elephants!
Where you see it in real life
A city bus: About 12 metres long. The Hoba meteorite is about a quarter of this length, but almost as wide as the bus.
A car: About 4 metres long. The meteorite is shorter, but much wider and thicker.
A large dining table: The meteorite is about the size of a giant square table, but much heavier.
A classroom: The meteorite could fill a big part of a classroom floor.
Why it matters
The Hoba meteorite helps scientists study space rocks and how they reach Earth.
Its size shows how big objects from space can survive entry into our atmosphere.
It is a tourist attraction and a piece of natural history.
It helps us compare the size and weight of objects we see every day to things from space.
Common mistakes
Thinking the meteorite is as long as a bus: It is not as long, but almost as wide.
Believing it is shaped like a ball: It is actually flat and table-like.
Underestimating its weight: It is much heavier than a bus or car.
Remember it
The Hoba meteorite is as wide as a bus, as thick as a table, and as heavy as 10 elephants.
Check yourself
Is the Hoba meteorite longer than a city bus?
No, it is much shorter but almost as wide.
Why can't people move the Hoba meteorite easily?
Because it weighs about 60,000 kg—much heavier than a bus or car.
What shape is the Hoba meteorite?
It is flat and table-like, not round like a ball.
Quick recap
The Hoba meteorite is about 2.7 m wide and 0.9 m thick.
