Beef short ribs and beef back ribs are both popular beef rib cuts. The main difference between short ribs and back ribs is that back ribs are 6-8 inches long and short ribs are 2-3-inches long. Short ribs have more meat than the beef back ribs. Beef back ribs have meat between the bones, rather than on top of the bones. Short ribs have a layer of fat on top of the meat, usually. Beef back ribs are relatively lean, in comparison.