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Great white shark vs Orca

Great white shark vs orca
Orca is larger on weight
Orca is 4× great white shark on weight.

A great white shark and an orca can be compared on 4 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.
Great white shark Orca
Weight 520–2,000 kg 1,300–10,000 kg
Length 3.4–6.1 m 5–9.8 m
Top speed 25–40 km/h 56 km/h
Typical lifespan 50–73 yr 30–90 yr

What the numbers say

  • Orca is 4× great white shark on weight.
  • Orca is 1.5× great white shark on length.
  • Orca is somewhat greater than great white shark on top speed — about 1.4×.
  • Great white shark is somewhat greater than orca on typical lifespan — about 1.4×.

Weight compared.

Orca 1,300–10,000 kg
Great white shark 520–2,000 kg

Great white shark

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

Orca

The largest dolphin and an apex predator everywhere it lives; distinct populations specialise on different prey.

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, great white shark or orca?
Orca is 4× great white shark on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do great white sharks and orcas compare on length?
Great white shark: 3.4–6.1 m. Orca: 5–9.8 m. Orca is 1.5× great white shark on length.
How do great white sharks and orcas compare on top speed?
Great white shark: 25–40 km/h. Orca: 56 km/h. Orca is somewhat greater than great white shark on top speed — about 1.4×.

Related pages

Sources

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

How these figures are compiled and checked