Britannica explicitly describes cheetahs as capable of reaching up to 114 km/h (71 mph) and notes this makes them the fastest land animals, while also emphasizing that these peak speeds are only sustainable over short distances. That “short sprint” context is important: cheetahs are built for rapid acceleration and brief bursts rather than long chases.
Guinness World Records also highlights cheetah sprint performance, citing speeds around 103.5 km/h, reinforcing that the cheetah’s claim to fame is maximum top speed. Other research coverage (including reporting from Imperial College London) likewise explains why cheetah-sized animals hit the highest peak speeds among land animals, even though other species (like pronghorn) may outperform them in endurance over longer distances.