Bite force in humans is on the order of a few hundred pounds per square inch, with typical averages around 150–170 psi and higher for some individuals during maximum effort. Details
- Average range: Most sources place the average adult human bite force in the neighborhood of 120–170 psi, depending on methodology and which teeth are engaged. Many studies and reviews frequently cite approximately 160 psi as a common figure for an average bite, with variations by age, sex, and dental health.
- Peak capability: In peak exertion, a subset of individuals may exceed the average by a noticeable margin, sometimes reported around 200 psi in informal or non-clinical measurements.
- Comparison notes: Relative to other animals, humans generally have lower bite forces than many carnivores and some large predators, but bite force values can vary markedly with bite location (molars vs incisors) and body size. For context, chimpanzees and some other primates can exhibit bite forces in a similar or slightly higher range for their size, while large predators can reach several thousand psi.
Notable points
- Bite force is measured in psi (pounds per square inch) or newtons per square centimeter, and depends on the teeth used (molars produce higher forces than incisors) and jaw muscle conditioning.
- Individual variation is substantial due to jaw muscle strength, dental occlusion, and health; age and dentition status can reduce bite force.
If you’d like, I can tailor the numbers to a specific context (e.g., clinical bite force ranges, forensic considerations, or biomechanical estimates for a given individual) and cite the most relevant sources.
