---
title: "Fin whale vs humpback whale — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Fin whale is 2.3× humpback whale on weight. Compared on 3 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/fin-whale-vs-humpback-whale/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Fin whale vs Humpback whale

**Fin whale vs humpback whale: Fin whale is larger on weight**

Fin whale is 2.3× humpback whale on weight.

A fin whale and a humpback 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.*

|  | Fin whale | Humpback whale |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 40–80 t | 25–40 t |
| Length | 18–27 m | 12–17 m |
| Typical lifespan | 80–114 yr | 45–100 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Fin whale is 2.3× humpback whale on weight.
- Fin whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on length — about 1.4×.
- Fin whale is 1.8× humpback whale on typical lifespan.

*Weight compared.*

- Fin whale: 40–80 t
- Humpback whale: 25–40 t

## Fin whale

The second-largest animal on Earth, and among the fastest of the great whales.

## Humpback whale

A baleen whale known for breaching, long complex songs, and pectoral fins a third of its body length.

> 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, fin whale or humpback whale?

Fin whale is 2.3× humpback whale on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do fin whales and humpback whales compare on length?

Fin whale: 18–27 m. Humpback whale: 12–17 m. Fin whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on length — about 1.4×.

### How do fin whales and humpback whales compare on typical lifespan?

Fin whale: 80–114 yr. Humpback whale: 45–100 yr. Fin whale is 1.8× humpback whale on typical lifespan.

## 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/)
- [Humpback whale vs whale shark](https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-whale-shark/)
- [Blue whale vs humpback whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-humpback-whale/)
- [Humpback whale vs lion's mane jellyfish](https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-lions-mane-jellyfish/)

## Sources

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