---
title: "Polar bear vs saltwater crocodile — size, weight and speed com"
description: "Saltwater crocodile is somewhat greater than polar bear on weight — about 1.1×. Compared on 5 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/polar-bear-vs-saltwater-crocodile/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Polar bear vs Saltwater crocodile

**Polar bear vs saltwater crocodile: Saltwater crocodile is larger on weight**

Saltwater crocodile is somewhat greater than polar bear on weight — about 1.1×.

A polar bear and a saltwater crocodile 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.*

|  | Polar bear | Saltwater crocodile |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 150–700 kg | 76–1,300 kg |
| Length | 1.8–3 m | 2.5–6.3 m |
| Top speed | 40 km/h | 29 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 20–32 yr | 65–100 yr |
| Bite force | 1,200 psi | 3,700 psi |

## What the numbers say

- Saltwater crocodile is somewhat greater than polar bear on weight — about 1.1×.
- Saltwater crocodile is 1.9× polar bear on length.
- Polar bear is somewhat greater than saltwater crocodile on top speed — about 1.4×.
- Saltwater crocodile is 2.8× polar bear on typical lifespan.
- Saltwater crocodile is 3.1× polar bear on bite force.

*Weight compared.*

- Saltwater crocodile: 76–1,300 kg
- Polar bear: 150–700 kg

## Polar bear

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

## Saltwater crocodile

The largest living reptile and the animal with the hardest bite ever measured.

> 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, polar bear or saltwater crocodile?

Saltwater crocodile is somewhat greater than polar bear on weight — about 1.1×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do polar bears and saltwater crocodiles compare on length?

Polar bear: 1.8–3 m. Saltwater crocodile: 2.5–6.3 m. Saltwater crocodile is 1.9× polar bear on length.

### How do polar bears and saltwater crocodiles compare on top speed?

Polar bear: 40 km/h. Saltwater crocodile: 29 km/h. Polar bear is somewhat greater than saltwater crocodile on top speed — about 1.4×.

## Related pages

- [Grizzly bear vs polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/grizzly-bear-vs-polar-bear/)
- [Polar bear vs tiger](https://atoneplace.net/vs/polar-bear-vs-tiger/)
- [Lion vs polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-polar-bear/)
- [Horse vs polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/horse-vs-polar-bear/)
- [Kodiak bear vs polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/kodiak-bear-vs-polar-bear/)
- [American alligator vs saltwater crocodile](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-alligator-vs-saltwater-crocodile/)
- [Bottlenose dolphin vs polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bottlenose-dolphin-vs-polar-bear/)
- [Moose vs polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/moose-vs-polar-bear/)
- [Great white shark vs polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-polar-bear/)
- [Great white shark vs saltwater crocodile](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-saltwater-crocodile/)
- [Nile crocodile vs saltwater crocodile](https://atoneplace.net/vs/nile-crocodile-vs-saltwater-crocodile/)

## Sources

- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)
- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)