---
title: "How long does a blue whale last?"
description: "A blue whale lasts 70–90 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/blue-whale/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a blue whale last?

**Typical lifespan: 70–90 yr**

The largest animal known to have lived, heavier than any dinosaur and audible to other whales hundreds of kilometres away.

## How that compares

*Blue whale against things of a similar time.*

- Galapagos tortoise: 80–177 yr
- Fin whale: 80–114 yr
- Blue whale: 70–90 yr
- Great white shark: 50–73 yr
- Saltwater crocodile: 65–100 yr
- Whale shark: 60–130 yr
- African elephant: 50–70 yr
- Asian elephant: 48–70 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.0125 replacements |
| Over 10 years | 1 of them |
| Over a 30-year mortgage | 1 of them |

> Lifespans are medians under ordinary use, not guarantees. Maintenance, how hard it is used, and build quality move individual examples a long way in both directions — which is why the range above is as wide as it is.

## More about a blue whale

- [How much does a blue whale weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/blue-whale/) — 50–190 t
- [Blue whale vs Fin whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-fin-whale/) — Side by side
- [Blue whale vs Sperm whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-sperm-whale/) — Side by side
- [Blue whale vs Humpback whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-humpback-whale/) — Side by side
- [Blue whale vs African elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-blue-whale/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does a blue whale last?

A blue whale lasts 70–90 yr.

## Related pages

- [How much does a blue whale weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/blue-whale/)
- [How long does a lion last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/lion/)
- [How long does a tiger last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/tiger/)
- [How long does a domestic cat last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/domestic-cat/)
- [How long does a African elephant last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/african-elephant/)
- [How long does a great white shark last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/great-white-shark/)
- [How long does a cheetah last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/cheetah/)
- [How long does a polar bear last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/polar-bear/)
- [How long does a giraffe last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/giraffe/)
- [How long does a gorilla last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/gorilla/)
- [How long does a grizzly bear last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/grizzly-bear/)
- [Blue whale vs Fin whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-fin-whale/)
- [Blue whale vs Sperm whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-sperm-whale/)
- [Blue whale vs Humpback whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-humpback-whale/)
- [Blue whale vs African elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-blue-whale/)

## Sources

- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NOAA (https://www.noaa.gov/) [Public domain (US Government)]