Which spider is considered the world's largest by leg span?

The giant huntsman spider is considered the world's largest spider by leg span.

Heteropoda maxima was described in 2001 after being discovered in Laos. Its legs can stretch to roughly 30 centimetres across, giving it the greatest known leg span among spiders. The species belongs to the huntsman family, whose members have long, laterally oriented legs that allow them to move rapidly across surfaces.

The giant huntsman is associated with caves and cave entrances in Laos. Its pale coloration and elongated legs are consistent with that habitat, although it does not show the extreme eye reduction seen in some cave animals.

The key distinction is measurement. The Goliath birdeater is heavier and has greater body mass, while the giant huntsman wins by leg span. Those different records explain why both spiders are sometimes described as the world's largest.