---
title: "How long does a great white shark last?"
description: "A great white shark lasts 50–73 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/great-white-shark/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a great white shark last?

**Typical lifespan: 50–73 yr**

The largest predatory fish, and the species responsible for most unprovoked shark bites on humans.

> Radiocarbon ageing pushed the estimate far above older figures.

## How that compares

*Great white shark against things of a similar time.*

- 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
- Sperm whale: 60–70 yr
- Japanese spider crab: 50–100 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.0143 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 great white shark

- [How much does a great white shark weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/great-white-shark/) — 520–2,000 kg
- [Great white shark vs Polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-polar-bear/) — Side by side
- [Great white shark vs Saltwater crocodile](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-saltwater-crocodile/) — Side by side
- [Great white shark vs Orca](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-orca/) — Side by side
- [Great white shark vs Walrus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-walrus/) — Side by side
- [Great white shark vs Tiger shark](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-tiger-shark/) — Side by side
- [Great white shark vs Giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-great-white-shark/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does a great white shark last?

A great white shark lasts 50–73 yr. Radiocarbon ageing pushed the estimate far above older figures.

## Related pages

- [How much does a great white shark weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/great-white-shark/)
- [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 blue whale last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/blue-whale/)
- [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 grizzly bear last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/grizzly-bear/)
- [How long does a gray wolf last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/gray-wolf/)
- [How long does a orca last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/orca/)
- [How long does a saltwater crocodile last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/saltwater-crocodile/)
- [How long does a leopard last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/leopard/)
- [Great white shark vs Polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-polar-bear/)
- [Great white shark vs Saltwater crocodile](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-saltwater-crocodile/)
- [Great white shark vs Orca](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-orca/)
- [Great white shark vs Walrus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-walrus/)
- [Great white shark vs Tiger shark](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-tiger-shark/)
- [Great white shark vs Giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-great-white-shark/)

## Sources

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