The Biggest Spider in the World (by Weight and by Leg Span)

Key Takeaways

The Goliath birdeater spider, native to South America's rainforests, is the biggest spider in the world, with a leg span reaching up to 12 inches (31 cm).

The giant huntsman spider, found in Laos, holds the record for the largest leg span at around 12 inches. It prefers to hunt instead of building webs.

Prehistoric spiders tended to be larger on average than their modern counterparts, with most fossils discovered sporting leg spans of at least a few inches. However, the largest species today eclipse any known fossils.

In the often misunderstood world of arachnids, the biggest spider in the world stands out among its giant kin. Enormous, eight-legged creatures — ranging from the Goliath birdeater to the Colombian lesserblack tarantula — showcase an astonishing diversit