The great hornbill is a large bird, 95??30 cm (37??1 in) long, with a 152 cm (60 in) wingspan and a weight of 2.15?? kg (4.7??.8 lb). It is the heaviest, but not the longest, Asian hornbill. Females are smaller than males and have bluish-white instead of red eyes, although the orbital skin is pinkish. Like other hornbills, they have prominent 'eyelashes'.

The great hornbill is long-lived, living for nearly 50 years in captivity. Its impressive size and colour have made it important in many tribal cultures and rituals.