Which muscle is generally considered the largest in the human body by mass?

The gluteus maximus is generally considered the largest muscle in the human body by mass.

It forms much of the bulk of the buttocks and is the largest of the three gluteal muscles. Its main actions include extending and laterally rotating the thigh at the hip. These actions are especially important when rising from a chair, climbing stairs, running or pushing the body upward.

The gluteus maximus also helps stabilize the pelvis and trunk. It is strongly associated with upright human movement because powerful hip extension helps the body maintain an efficient standing and walking posture.

Some lists identify the quadriceps femoris as the largest muscle group rather than a single muscle. That distinction explains why different anatomy sources may appear to disagree. The gluteus maximus is the usual answer when the question asks for one individual muscle judged by overall mass, while the quadriceps is a group of four muscles on the front of the thigh.