---
title: "Blue whale vs sperm whale — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Blue whale is 3.3× sperm whale on weight. Compared on 3 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-sperm-whale/
site: "At One Place"
---

# 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

- [Humpback whale vs sperm whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-sperm-whale/)
- [Blue whale vs fin whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-fin-whale/)
- [Fin whale vs sperm whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/fin-whale-vs-sperm-whale/)
- [Blue whale vs humpback whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-humpback-whale/)
- [African elephant vs blue whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-blue-whale/)
- [Sperm whale vs whale shark](https://atoneplace.net/vs/sperm-whale-vs-whale-shark/)

## Sources

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