---
title: "Humpback whale vs whale shark — size, weight and speed compare"
description: "Humpback whale is 2× whale shark on weight. Compared on 3 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-whale-shark/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Humpback whale vs Whale shark

**Humpback whale vs whale shark: Humpback whale is larger on weight**

Humpback whale is 2× whale shark on weight.

A humpback whale and a whale 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.*

|  | Humpback whale | Whale shark |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 25–40 t | 9,000–21,000 kg |
| Length | 12–17 m | 5.5–18.8 m |
| Typical lifespan | 45–100 yr | 60–130 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Humpback whale is 2× whale shark on weight.
- Humpback whale is somewhat greater than whale shark on length — about 1.4×.
- Whale shark is somewhat greater than humpback whale on typical lifespan — about 1.4×.

*Weight compared.*

- Humpback whale: 25–40 t
- Whale shark: 9,000–21,000 kg

## Humpback whale

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

## Whale shark

The largest fish alive, a filter feeder that strains plankton and poses no danger to swimmers.

> 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 whale shark?

Humpback whale is 2× whale shark on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do humpback whales and whale sharks compare on length?

Humpback whale: 12–17 m. Whale shark: 5.5–18.8 m. Humpback whale is somewhat greater than whale shark on length — about 1.4×.

### How do humpback whales and whale sharks compare on typical lifespan?

Humpback whale: 45–100 yr. Whale shark: 60–130 yr. Whale shark is somewhat greater than humpback whale on typical lifespan — about 1.4×.

## Related pages

- [Humpback whale vs sperm whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-sperm-whale/)
- [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/)
- [Lion's mane jellyfish vs whale shark](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lions-mane-jellyfish-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)]