---
title: "American alligator vs saltwater crocodile — size, weight and s"
description: "Saltwater crocodile is 2.2× American alligator on weight. Compared on 4 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-alligator-vs-saltwater-crocodile/
site: "At One Place"
---

# American alligator vs Saltwater crocodile

**American alligator vs saltwater crocodile: Saltwater crocodile is larger on weight**

Saltwater crocodile is 2.2× American alligator on weight.

An American alligator and a saltwater crocodile can be compared on 4 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

## Side by side

*Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.*

|  | American alligator | Saltwater crocodile |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 70–500 kg | 76–1,300 kg |
| Length | 2.6–4.6 m | 2.5–6.3 m |
| Typical lifespan | 35–70 yr | 65–100 yr |
| Bite force | 1,000–2,980 psi | 3,700 psi |

## What the numbers say

- Saltwater crocodile is 2.2× American alligator on weight.
- Saltwater crocodile is somewhat greater than American alligator on length — about 1.3×.
- Saltwater crocodile is somewhat greater than American alligator on typical lifespan — about 1.4×.
- Saltwater crocodile is 1.7× American alligator on bite force.

*Weight compared.*

- Saltwater crocodile: 76–1,300 kg
- American alligator: 70–500 kg

## American alligator

A broad-snouted crocodilian of the US Southeast, recovered from near-extinction to over a million animals.

## Saltwater crocodile

The largest living reptile and the animal with the hardest bite ever measured.

> This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

## Common questions

### Which is bigger, American alligator or saltwater crocodile?

Saltwater crocodile is 2.2× American alligator on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do American alligators and saltwater crocodiles compare on length?

American alligator: 2.6–4.6 m. Saltwater crocodile: 2.5–6.3 m. Saltwater crocodile is somewhat greater than American alligator on length — about 1.3×.

### How do American alligators and saltwater crocodiles compare on typical lifespan?

American alligator: 35–70 yr. Saltwater crocodile: 65–100 yr. Saltwater crocodile is somewhat greater than American alligator on typical lifespan — about 1.4×.

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## Sources

- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)
- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)