---
title: "How much does a whale shark weigh?"
description: "A whale shark weighs 9,000–21,000 kg (19,800–46,300 lb). How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/weight/whale-shark/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How much does a whale shark weigh?

**Typical weight: 9,000–21,000 kg**

That is 19,800–46,300 lb.

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

## How that compares

*Whale shark against things of a similar mass.*

- Fire truck: 14,000–36,000 kg
- Whale shark: 9,000–21,000 kg
- Semi truck: 12,000–36,290 kg
- Garbage truck: 12,000–20,000 kg
- Concrete mixer truck: 11,000–16,000 kg
- Big Ben: 13.76 t
- City bus: 11,000–20,000 kg
- Double-decker bus: 12.65 t

## More about a whale shark

- [How long does a whale shark last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/whale-shark/) — 60–130 yr
- [Whale shark vs Humpback whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-whale-shark/) — Side by side
- [Whale shark vs Sperm whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/sperm-whale-vs-whale-shark/) — Side by side
- [Whale shark vs Lion's mane jellyfish](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lions-mane-jellyfish-vs-whale-shark/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How much does a whale shark weigh?

A whale shark weighs 9,000–21,000 kg (19,800–46,300 lb).

## Related pages

- [How long does a whale shark last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/whale-shark/)
- [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 orca weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/orca/)
- [How much does a bottlenose dolphin weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/bottlenose-dolphin/)
- [How much does a humpback whale weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/humpback-whale/)
- [How much does a sperm whale weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/sperm-whale/)
- [How much does a tiger shark weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/tiger-shark/)
- [How much does a walrus weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/walrus/)
- [How much does a emperor penguin weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/emperor-penguin/)
- [How much does a giant Pacific octopus weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/giant-pacific-octopus/)
- [Whale shark vs Humpback whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-whale-shark/)
- [Whale shark vs Sperm whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/sperm-whale-vs-whale-shark/)
- [Whale shark vs Lion's mane jellyfish](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lions-mane-jellyfish-vs-whale-shark/)

## Sources

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