---
title: "Great white shark vs orca — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Orca is 4× great white shark on weight. Compared on 4 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-orca/
site: "At One Place"
---

# 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×.

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## Sources

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