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Blue whale vs Sperm whale

Blue whale vs sperm whale
Blue whale is larger on weight
Blue whale is 3.3× sperm whale on weight.

A blue whale and a sperm whale can be compared on 3 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.
Blue whale Sperm whale
Weight 50–190 t 15–57 t
Length 21–33.6 m 11–20.5 m
Typical lifespan 70–90 yr 60–70 yr

What the numbers say

  • Blue whale is 3.3× sperm whale on weight.
  • Blue whale is 1.6× sperm whale on length.
  • Blue whale is somewhat greater than sperm whale on typical lifespan — about 1.3×.

Weight compared.

Blue whale 50–190 t
Sperm whale 15–57 t

Blue whale

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

Sperm whale

The largest toothed predator, diving to 2,000 m for squid and producing the loudest sound of any animal.

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, blue whale or sperm whale?
Blue whale is 3.3× sperm whale on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do blue whales and sperm whales compare on length?
Blue whale: 21–33.6 m. Sperm whale: 11–20.5 m. Blue whale is 1.6× sperm whale on length.
How do blue whales and sperm whales compare on typical lifespan?
Blue whale: 70–90 yr. Sperm whale: 60–70 yr. Blue whale is somewhat greater than sperm whale on typical lifespan — about 1.3×.

Related pages

Sources

  1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NOAA (Public domain (US Government))

How these figures are compiled and checked