---
title: "Fin whale vs sperm whale — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Fin whale is 1.8× sperm 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-sperm-whale/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Fin whale vs Sperm whale

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

Fin whale is 1.8× sperm whale on weight.

A fin 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.*

|  | Fin whale | Sperm whale |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 40–80 t | 15–57 t |
| Length | 18–27 m | 11–20.5 m |
| Typical lifespan | 80–114 yr | 60–70 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Fin whale is 1.8× sperm whale on weight.
- Fin whale is somewhat greater than sperm whale on length — about 1.3×.
- Fin whale is 1.5× sperm whale on typical lifespan.

*Weight compared.*

- Fin whale: 40–80 t
- Sperm whale: 15–57 t

## Fin whale

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

## 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, fin whale or sperm whale?

Fin whale is 1.8× sperm whale on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

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

Fin whale: 18–27 m. Sperm whale: 11–20.5 m. Fin whale is somewhat greater than sperm whale on length — about 1.3×.

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

Fin whale: 80–114 yr. Sperm whale: 60–70 yr. Fin whale is 1.5× sperm 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/)
- [Blue whale vs sperm whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-sperm-whale/)
- [Fin whale vs humpback whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/fin-whale-vs-humpback-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)]