---
title: "How much does a orca weigh?"
description: "An orca weighs 1,300–10,000 kg (2,870–22,000 lb). How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/weight/orca/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How much does a orca weigh?

**Typical weight: 1,300–10,000 kg**

That is 2,870–22,000 lb.

The largest dolphin and an apex predator everywhere it lives; distinct populations specialise on different prey.

> Bulls 3,600-5,400 kg, exceptionally 10,000; cows 1,300-3,600 kg.

## How that compares

*Orca against things of a similar mass.*

- African elephant: 2,200–10,400 kg
- Helicopter: 1.2–9.979 t
- Ambulance: 3,200–6,800 kg
- MRI machine: 3,000–11,000 kg
- Orca: 1,300–10,000 kg
- Tractor: 1,000–15,000 kg
- Forklift: 2,200–8,000 kg
- Asian elephant: 2,000–6,000 kg

## More about an orca

- [How long does a orca last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/orca/) — 30–90 yr
- [Orca vs African elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-orca/) — Side by side
- [Orca vs Asian elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/asian-elephant-vs-orca/) — Side by side
- [Orca vs Great white shark](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-orca/) — Side by side
- [Orca vs Southern elephant seal](https://atoneplace.net/vs/orca-vs-southern-elephant-seal/) — Side by side
- [Orca vs Car](https://atoneplace.net/vs/car-vs-orca/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How much does an orca weigh?

An orca weighs 1,300–10,000 kg (2,870–22,000 lb). Bulls 3,600-5,400 kg, exceptionally 10,000; cows 1,300-3,600 kg.

## Related pages

- [How long does a orca last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/orca/)
- [How much does a lion weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/lion/)
- [How much does a tiger weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/tiger/)
- [How much does a domestic cat weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/domestic-cat/)
- [How much does a African elephant weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/african-elephant/)
- [How much does a blue whale weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/blue-whale/)
- [How much does a great white shark weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/great-white-shark/)
- [How much does a cheetah weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/cheetah/)
- [How much does a polar bear weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/polar-bear/)
- [How much does a giraffe weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/giraffe/)
- [How much does a gorilla weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/gorilla/)
- [Orca vs African elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-orca/)
- [Orca vs Asian elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/asian-elephant-vs-orca/)
- [Orca vs Great white shark](https://atoneplace.net/vs/great-white-shark-vs-orca/)
- [Orca vs Southern elephant seal](https://atoneplace.net/vs/orca-vs-southern-elephant-seal/)
- [Orca vs Car](https://atoneplace.net/vs/car-vs-orca/)

## Sources

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