---
title: "Giraffe vs great white shark — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Giraffe is somewhat greater than great white shark on weight — about 1.2×. Compared on 3 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-great-white-shark/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Giraffe vs Great white shark

**Giraffe vs great white shark: Giraffe is larger on weight**

Giraffe is somewhat greater than great white shark on weight — about 1.2×.

A giraffe and a great white shark 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.*

|  | Giraffe | Great white shark |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 700–1,930 kg | 520–2,000 kg |
| Top speed | 60 km/h | 25–40 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 20–28 yr | 50–73 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Giraffe is somewhat greater than great white shark on weight — about 1.2×.
- Giraffe is 1.5× great white shark on top speed.
- Great white shark is 2.8× giraffe on typical lifespan.

*Weight compared.*

- Giraffe: 700–1,930 kg
- Great white shark: 520–2,000 kg

## Giraffe

The tallest living animal; its neck holds the same seven vertebrae as a human neck.

## Great white shark

The largest predatory fish, and the species responsible for most unprovoked shark bites on humans.

> 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, giraffe or great white shark?

Giraffe is somewhat greater than great white shark on weight — about 1.2×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do giraffes and great white sharks compare on top speed?

Giraffe: 60 km/h. Great white shark: 25–40 km/h. Giraffe is 1.5× great white shark on top speed.

### How do giraffes and great white sharks compare on typical lifespan?

Giraffe: 20–28 yr. Great white shark: 50–73 yr. Great white shark is 2.8× giraffe on typical lifespan.

## Related pages

- [Giraffe vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [American bison vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-giraffe/)
- [Giraffe vs white rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-white-rhinoceros/)
- [Black rhinoceros vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-rhinoceros-vs-giraffe/)
- [Cape buffalo vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/cape-buffalo-vs-giraffe/)
- [Great white shark vs polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-polar-bear/)
- [Great white shark vs saltwater crocodile](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-saltwater-crocodile/)
- [Great white shark vs orca](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-orca/)
- [African elephant vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-giraffe/)
- [Great white shark vs walrus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-walrus/)
- [Great white shark vs tiger shark](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-tiger-shark/)
- [Asian elephant vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/asian-elephant-vs-giraffe/)

## Sources

- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NOAA (https://www.noaa.gov/) [Public domain (US Government)]