How long are elephants pregnant?
| Species | Gestation | In days (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| African elephant | 22 months | 670 |
| Asian elephant | 18 to 22 months | 548 to 670 |
Months are converted at 30.44 days, the average length of a calendar month, so the day counts are approximate. Sources quote the period in months, so do not read the day figure as exact.
Due date for any conception date
These are African elephant dates, found by adding 22 calendar months to the conception date. The Asian elephant range runs from 18 to 22 months.
| Conceived | African elephant due (22 months) | Asian, earliest (18 months) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | Nov 1, 2027 | Jul 1, 2027 |
| Apr 1, 2026 | Feb 1, 2028 | Oct 1, 2027 |
| Jul 1, 2026 | May 1, 2028 | Jan 1, 2028 |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Aug 1, 2028 | Apr 1, 2028 |
How it compares
An elephant's pregnancy is about 2.4 times a cow's 283 days and nearly twice a mare's 340. It is also longer than any other listed in the animal gestation periods chart: rhinoceros 15 to 18 months, orca about 17, sperm whale 14 to 16 and giraffe about 15.
| Animal | Gestation | Compared with African elephant |
|---|---|---|
| Cow | 283 days | 42% |
| Horse | 340 days | 51% |
| Giraffe | About 15 months | 68% |
| Rhinoceros | 15 to 18 months | 68% to 82% |
| Orca | About 17 months | 77% |
| Dog | 63 days | 9% |
For animals on a farm or at home, use the cow, horse or dog calculators, which give the due date and the normal window from a breeding date.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an elephant pregnant?
About 22 months for an African elephant, and 18 to 22 months for an Asian elephant.
Which land mammal has the longest pregnancy?
The African elephant, at 22 months.
How many days is an elephant pregnant?
Roughly 670 days for the African elephant, which is 22 months at 30.44 days each. Sources give the period in months, so the day figure is approximate.