Whales are massive marine mammals whose size is often difficult to grasp. Although many people search for “how tall” a whale is, the standard scientific measurement is actually “length” due to their horizontal shape. Whale species exhibit an enormous range in size, from the largest animal on Earth to some of the smallest mammals in the ocean.
Length Versus Height
The term “height” is generally not applicable to whales because it implies a vertical measurement from the ground. Instead, scientists use “length,” which is the distance from the tip of the snout to the notch in the tail fluke. This metric provides a consistent and accurate measure of their overall size.
Weight is a secondary but important metric, often estimated using mathematical models based on length or measured from stranded specimens. Determining the length of a living whale is accomplished through specialized techniques like aerial photogrammetry, which uses photography from above to calculate dimensions. These measurements are important for understanding the health, growth rates, and population dynamics of the species.
The Extremes of Whale Size
The blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus, is the largest animal known to have ever existed, defining the upper limit of whale size. The maximum confirmed length is approximately 98 to 100 feet (30.5 meters), though historical records mention individuals reaching up to 108 feet. This immense length is paired with a weight of up to 190 to 200 tons.
The fin whale, sometimes referred to as the “greyhound of the sea,” is the second-largest species, though significantly smaller than its blue whale relative. Fin whales can reach lengths of up to 85 to 89 feet (27 meters) and typically weigh up to 80 tons.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is the dwarf sperm whale, which is considered the smallest species of whale. An average adult dwarf sperm whale is about 8 to 8.5 feet long, reaching a maximum of 9 feet. This small toothed whale weighs only 400 to 600 pounds, making it comparable in size to a large dolphin. The smallest baleen whale is the pygmy right whale, which can reach lengths of up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) and weigh around 5 tons.
Comparing Whales to Familiar Objects
To visualize the scale of the blue whale, its confirmed 98-foot length is nearly the same as a regulation NBA basketball court, which measures 94 feet long. A single blue whale can also be compared to three full-sized, 30-foot school buses lined up end-to-end. The weight of a 200-ton blue whale is roughly equivalent to the combined weight of 30 adult African elephants.
The second-largest species, the fin whale, can be viewed in terms of its mass, which can equal the weight of a loaded semi-truck and trailer. Even the smallest of the great whales, the minke whale, typically reaches 23 to 30 feet long, which is comparable to the length of a medium-sized yacht or a delivery truck. Conversely, the small dwarf sperm whale, at a maximum of 9 feet, is shorter than a small family car and weighs less than a fully grown cow.