Shark Length Comparison (Maximum Recorded Sizes)
How long do ocean sharks grow at absolute maximum? Compare 12 recorded lengths from NOAA and Smithsonian data, from 0.15 m lanternshark to 18.8 m whale shark.
Visual comparison
All values
Click any row to load it as Entry A.
| Name | Value | Context | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dwarf lanternshark Fits in a hand. | 0.15 m (0.5 ft) | Smallest known shark | Smithsonian shark chart: 6 inches |
| Bonnethead Coastal shallow swimmer. | 1.04 m (3.4 ft) | Small hammerhead | NOAA placard: max 4 ft |
| Blacktip reef shark Common reef shark. | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | Common reef swimmer | Smithsonian shark chart: 6.5 ft |
| Blue shark Bright blue back. | 3.35 m (11 ft) | Open ocean cruiser | NOAA placard: max 11 ft |
| Shortfin mako Built for speed. | 3.66 m (12 ft) | Fastest shark | NOAA placard: max 12 ft |
| Nurse shark Suction feeder. | 3.96 m (13 ft) | Docile bottom shark | Smithsonian shark chart: 13 ft |
| Bull shark Swims up rivers. | 2.74 m (9 ft) | River going shark | NOAA placard: max 9 ft |
| Tiger shark Marks fade with age. | 4.57 m (15 ft) | Striped apex hunter | NOAA placard: max 15 ft |
| Great hammerhead Ties tiger. | 4.57 m (15 ft) | Largest hammerhead | NOAA placard: max 15 ft |
| Great white shark Reliable max near 6 m. | 6.1 m (20 ft) | Apex mackerel shark | NOAA Fisheries: up to 20 ft |
| Basking shark Filter feeder giant. | 10.06 m (33 ft) | Second largest fish | NOAA: over 32 ft |
| Whale shark Spotted fingerprint pattern. | 18.8 m (61.7 ft) | Largest known fish | Smithsonian and WHOI: 18.8 m recorded |
About this converter
Shark lengths run from hand size to bus size, and NOAA maximums anchor the ladder. The dwarf lanternshark at 0.15 meters is the smallest known shark. Bonnethead at about 1 meter and blacktip reef near 2 meters cover the reef beat. Blue shark at 3.35, shortfin mako at 3.66 and nurse shark near 4 meters fill the mid ocean. Bull shark at 2.74 stays notable for river runs rather than size. Tiger and great hammerhead tie at 4.57 meters. Great white near 6.1 meters is the largest predatory shark by reliable measure. Basking shark past 10 meters and whale shark at 18.8 meters close as filter feeding giants. Records above these invite skepticism, like the debunked 7 meter Submarine white.
How to use it
Pick two sharks and a unit in the top row. The three boxes below stay linked. Change any box and the other two update. One box holds a count of the first shark, one holds the matching count of the second, one holds the length in the chosen unit. Try 1 whale shark against great whites to see giant against apex.
Lengths are maximum recorded sizes, not averages. Most adults run smaller. Whale shark 18.8 m is the largest reliably recorded individual.
FAQ
What is the largest shark?
Whale shark at 18.8 meters reliably recorded.
How big is a great white?
Up to about 6.1 meters, or 20 feet.
What is the smallest shark?
Dwarf lanternshark at about 0.15 meters.
How big is a basking shark?
Over 10 meters, second largest fish.
Sources
- NOAA Fisheries species pages and shark placard (white 20 ft, mako 12 ft, tiger 15 ft, hammerhead 15 ft)
- Smithsonian Ocean shark size chart (whale 60 ft, basking 33 ft, reef 6.5 ft, lantern 6 in)
- Woods Hole and Natural History Museum whale shark records (18.8 m largest)
Last verified: 2026-10-05 · 12 entries
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