---
title: "Great white shark vs polar bear — size, weight and speed compa"
description: "Great white shark is 2.2× polar bear on weight. Compared on 5 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-polar-bear/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Great white shark vs Polar bear

**Great white shark vs polar bear: Great white shark is larger on weight**

Great white shark is 2.2× polar bear on weight.

A great white shark and a polar bear can be compared on 5 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 | Polar bear |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 520–2,000 kg | 150–700 kg |
| Length | 3.4–6.1 m | 1.8–3 m |
| Top speed | 25–40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 50–73 yr | 20–32 yr |
| Bite force | 4,000 psi | 1,200 psi |

## What the numbers say

- Great white shark is 2.2× polar bear on weight.
- Great white shark is 1.9× polar bear on length.
- Great white shark and polar bear are near enough identical on top speed.
- Great white shark is 2.8× polar bear on typical lifespan.
- Great white shark is 3.3× polar bear on bite force.

*Weight compared.*

- Great white shark: 520–2,000 kg
- Polar bear: 150–700 kg

## Great white shark

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

## Polar bear

The largest living land carnivore, classified as a marine mammal because it hunts from sea ice.

> 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 polar bear?

Great white shark is 2.2× polar bear on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do great white sharks and polar bears compare on length?

Great white shark: 3.4–6.1 m. Polar bear: 1.8–3 m. Great white shark is 1.9× polar bear on length.

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

Great white shark: 25–40 km/h. Polar bear: 40 km/h. Great white shark and polar bear are near enough identical on top speed.

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## Sources

- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NOAA (https://www.noaa.gov/) [Public domain (US Government)]
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)
- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)