Leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet reptiles in the world, and for good reason. They’re small, easy to care for, and incredibly cute! But just how big do these cuties get?
The average male leopard gecko reaches about 8-10 inches in length, while females only average 7-8 inches.
Keep reading to learn about how fast these geckos grow, when they reach their full size, and why some geckos can be much bigger!
We’ll also compare leopard geckos to other popular pet reptiles so you can make an informed decision on which reptile is best suited for you. So let’s jump in and learn all about leopard gecko size!
Size of Leopard Geckos
Leopard Geckos grow to about 7-10 inches in length on average – but there are a few factors influencing this size. Let’s go through them!
Size differences by Sex
Leopard geckos come in a range of sizes, based on gender. Males are larger than females, boasting an impressive 8-10 inches (20-25cm)! Females, while smaller, still reach 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) in length from nose to tail.
Size differences by Morph
If you’ve read about leopard geckos, you know that they come in many different color variations, called “Morphs”. Many of these are genetic variants that not only influence the color of their skin but also affect attributes like their size.
The most common example is the “Giant” morph, which makes the Leopard Gecko grow up to around 11 inches (28 cm). The largest ever measured “Super Giant” specimen called Moose reached almost 11.5 inches!
Keep in mind that not all large leopard geckos are necessarily a Giant morph. Also, a gecko can be more than one variant – so you could have a “Mack Snow” morph that is also a Giant.
How fast do Leopard Geckos grow?
Leopard geckos are fascinating reptiles that grow quickly in their first year of life. When Baby leopard geckos hatch, they are only a few inches long and weigh between 8-15 grams.
It takes about 12 months until they reach their full size of 7 to 10 inches and weigh up to 60-85g.
Along the way to adulthood, leopard geckos experience incredible growth spurts that allow them to reach this considerable growth. Leopard geckos will shed their skin several times during their first year of life and gain anywhere from 1/4 inch to 2 inches of length each time.
After the second molt, leopard gecko babies start resembling adults in appearance more and more as they gain weight, length, and other features like webbed feet. It’s amazing how much these animals can grow in such a short amount of time!
To support this rapid growth, make sure to provide plenty of food and supplement with calcium, as newborn leopard geckos need much more food than adults!
Read our full guide on a healthy diet for leopard geckos to prevent your gecko from becoming malnourished.
Leopard Gecko Size & Age Chart
| Age | Weight | Body Length |
| Hatchling | 2-5 g | 3”-4” |
| 1 month | 15-20 g | 4” |
| 2 months | 18-30 g | 5” |
| 6 months | 25-60 g | 5”-6” |
| 18 months | 40-80 g | 8”-11” |
Leopard Geckos vs other geckos – Size Comparison
It’s important to consider the size of a gecko when thinking about buying a pet
Bigger pet reptiles need more space and more food, which can be a problem for smaller homes
If you’re considering a pet gecko, size is an important factor in deciding which type to buy as certain varieties are much larger than others. Before settling on any particular species of gecko for your new pet, it’s important to know their size as adults and whether or not you can make suitable housing arrangements for them.
Many reptile owners underestimate how much space these lively geckos actually need, and end up housing them in tanks that are much too small. The habitat needs to be large enough for a few hiding spots, different temperature zones, and enough space for play and exploration. Learn more about this in our guide on leopard gecko tank setup.
Let’s compare some of the most popular pet gecko and reptile species by size!
Bearded Dragons
Bearded Dragons are one of, if not THE most popular pet reptile – probably because of their name! However, male bearded dragons reach about 21-24 inches in size, while females only grow up to 16-19 inches. This means you will have to dedicate quite a lot of space for them, buy a large habitat, and will also have to keep a large tank clean regularly!
Tokay Gecko
Tokay Geckos are not as popular, but one of the biggest gecko species that is commonly kept as pets. Males reach about 13-16 inches in size, females reach about 8-12 inches.
Keep in mind that size is not the only factor – a ground-dwelling gecko needs a very different habitat than a tree-dwelling gecko that needs vertical climbing space!
Crested Gecko
Crested Geckos reach about 8-10 inches in length, making them about the same size as leopard geckos. They are not quite as popular, but because they are so similar to Leos, many of the same foods, supplements, and substrates can be used for them.
Madagascar Day Gecko
The Madagascar Day Gecko can reach about 8-10 inches in size, making it very similar in size – even though they look completely different than leopard geckos. Their requirements are also quite different, so make sure you always research any pet you are considering thoroughly!
Gargoyle Gecko
Gargoyle geckos reach about 7-9 inches in length, making them about the same size as leopard geckos. However, these geckos prefer climbing jungles to rocky plains, so you will need a vertical enclosure rather than a horizontal one! More about Gargoyle Geckos vs Leopard Geckos here!
African Fat Tail Gecko
African Fat-Tailed Geckos reach about 7-8 inches, with females being slightly smaller, as with most gecko species. These are very similar to leopard geckos, but there are some important differences!
Viper Gecko
Viper Geckos are the smallest geckos on this list, reaching only 3-4 inches in length. This makes them ideal for smaller households that cannot afford to dedicate a lot of space to a gecko enclosure. Learn more about Viper Geckos in our guide about their diet and the right tank setup!
Common Questions
How long does it take for a Leopard Gecko to reach their full size?
Leopard geckos reach their full size at about 12 months, but may continue growing slightly up until around 18 months. However, keep in mind that they will still shed their skin from time to time even when fully grown.
How old is my Leopard Gecko by size?
You can refer to the size chart above, but keep in mind that gender and genetics play a role in the size as well. Looking at the size is not an accurate way to figure out the age of a leopard gecko unless you know its sex and genetics.