---
title: "Humpback whale vs sperm whale — size, weight and speed compare"
description: "Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on weight — about 1.3×. Compared on 3 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-sperm-whale/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Humpback whale vs Sperm whale

**Humpback whale vs sperm whale: Sperm whale is larger on weight**

Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on weight — about 1.3×.

A humpback 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.*

|  | Humpback whale | Sperm whale |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 25–40 t | 15–57 t |
| Length | 12–17 m | 11–20.5 m |
| Typical lifespan | 45–100 yr | 60–70 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on weight — about 1.3×.
- Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on length — about 1.1×.
- Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on typical lifespan — about 1.2×.

*Weight compared.*

- Sperm whale: 15–57 t
- Humpback whale: 25–40 t

## Humpback whale

A baleen whale known for breaching, long complex songs, and pectoral fins a third of its body length.

## 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, humpback whale or sperm whale?

Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on weight — about 1.3×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

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

Humpback whale: 12–17 m. Sperm whale: 11–20.5 m. Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on length — about 1.1×.

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

Humpback whale: 45–100 yr. Sperm whale: 60–70 yr. Sperm whale is somewhat greater than humpback whale on typical lifespan — about 1.2×.

## Related pages

- [Blue whale vs sperm whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-sperm-whale/)
- [Fin whale vs sperm whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/fin-whale-vs-sperm-whale/)
- [Humpback whale vs whale shark](https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-whale-shark/)
- [Blue whale vs humpback whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-humpback-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/)
- [Humpback whale vs lion's mane jellyfish](https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-lions-mane-jellyfish/)

## Sources

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