---
title: "Narwhal vs walrus — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Narwhal and walrus are near enough identical on weight. Compared on 3 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/narwhal-vs-walrus/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Narwhal vs Walrus

**Narwhal vs walrus: Near enough equal on weight**

Narwhal and walrus are near enough identical on weight.

A narwhal and a walrus 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.*

|  | Narwhal | Walrus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 800–1,600 kg | 400–1,900 kg |
| Length | 3.9–5.5 m | 2.2–3.6 m |
| Typical lifespan | 30–90 yr | 30–40 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Narwhal and walrus are near enough identical on weight.
- Narwhal is somewhat greater than walrus on length — about 1.4×.
- Narwhal is somewhat greater than walrus on typical lifespan — about 1.3×.

*Weight compared.*

- Narwhal: 800–1,600 kg
- Walrus: 400–1,900 kg

## Narwhal

An Arctic whale whose "horn" is a single spiral tooth, grown by nearly all males and a few females.

## Walrus

A tusked Arctic pinniped that hauls out in herds of thousands and forages for clams on the seabed.

> 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, narwhal or walrus?

Narwhal and walrus are near enough identical on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do narwhals and walruses compare on length?

Narwhal: 3.9–5.5 m. Walrus: 2.2–3.6 m. Narwhal is somewhat greater than walrus on length — about 1.4×.

### How do narwhals and walruses compare on typical lifespan?

Narwhal: 30–90 yr. Walrus: 30–40 yr. Narwhal is somewhat greater than walrus on typical lifespan — about 1.3×.

## Related pages

- [Great white shark vs walrus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-walrus/)
- [Beluga whale vs walrus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/beluga-whale-vs-walrus/)

## Sources

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