There is no single winner, because “strongest” can mean several different things. Measured by force for its size, the masseter in the jaw is usually named. Measured by sheer size and power, the gluteus maximus in the buttock leads. For holding the body up hour after hour, the soleus in the calf stands out, and for never stopping at all, the heart is in a class of its own. Here is how each claim works.
Why the answer depends on the question
Strength is not one quality. A muscle can be good at producing a big force once, at pulling hard relative to its size, at working for a long time without tiring, or at doing all of these for a lifetime. Muscles also work through levers made of bone and joints, so the force they create is not the same as the force you feel at the hand, foot or teeth. Once you separate those ideas, the competition becomes easier to follow.
| How you define strength | Muscle usually named | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Force for its size | Masseter | Side of the jaw |
| Largest and most powerful | Gluteus maximus | Buttock |
| Steady pulling against gravity | Soleus | Lower calf |
| Hardest-working over a lifetime | Heart (cardiac muscle) | Chest |
| Strongest contractions in a short burst | Uterus during labour | Pelvis |
The masseter: pound for pound
The masseter is the thick muscle you can feel at the back of your cheek when you clench your teeth. It is small, but it sits close to the hinge of the jaw and works with short levers, so it can press the back teeth together with remarkable force. That is why it is often called the strongest muscle relative to its weight. It also explains why clenching or grinding at night can leave the jaw and face feeling tired.
The gluteus maximus: the biggest engine
The gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the body. It extends the hip, which is the movement that drives you up from a chair, up a staircase or forward into a sprint. It also keeps the pelvis steady when you stand on one leg. Because it is so big, it can produce a great deal of total force. Exercises such as bodyweight squats and the glute bridge in our beginner ab workout give it regular work at home.
The soleus: the quiet worker in your calf
The soleus lies beneath the more visible calf muscle. Every time you stand, walk or lean forward slightly, it pulls on the Achilles tendon to stop you tipping over. It is built for endurance as well as strength, so it can keep going for long periods. Some people argue it deserves the title because of the load it handles across an ordinary day.
The heart: strongest over a lifetime
Cardiac muscle is a different type of tissue from the muscles you move on purpose. It contracts without rest, day and night, from before birth onwards. No other muscle comes close in total work done over a lifetime. Regular aerobic activity, such as brisk walking or cycling, gives it a healthy challenge.
Other contenders you may hear about
- The uterus: during labour, its contractions are among the most forceful the body produces.
- The quadriceps: the group at the front of the thigh is large and powerful, especially for straightening the knee.
- The tongue: often mentioned in quizzes, but it is a group of muscles working together, and its fame comes from stamina and agility rather than raw force.
- The eye muscles: sometimes called the busiest, since they make many quick adjustments every waking minute.
What this means for your own training
Trivia aside, the muscles that carry you through daily life are the big ones in the hips and legs, plus the deep muscles around the trunk. Keeping them strong makes it easier to climb stairs, carry shopping and get up from the floor. A balanced routine usually includes:
- a squat or sit-to-stand movement for the thighs and glutes
- a pushing movement such as a push-up for the chest, shoulders and arms
- a pulling or back-strengthening movement
- core work and something for balance
Two or three short sessions a week, combined with regular walking, cover a lot of ground. If you have a health condition or are returning after a long break, a doctor or physiotherapist can help you choose a safe starting point.
Quick questions
What is the largest muscle in the human body?
The gluteus maximus. It is often confused with the strongest, which is why the question has so many answers.
What is the smallest muscle?
The stapedius, a tiny muscle in the middle ear that helps dampen loud sounds.
Is the tongue really the strongest muscle?
It is a popular claim, but it does not hold up well. The tongue is impressive for its endurance and precision rather than for producing the most force.
