Whale shark
10 m - Length; defined specimen.
The whale shark is the largest living fish and feeds by filtering plankton from the water.
A chosen 10 m, 10 tonne whale shark, a fish rather than a whale.
Defined examples — our methodologyWhale shark vs Blue whale: length comparison
A blue whale is about 2.5 times as long as a whale shark. Selected basis: a defined specimen of Whale shark; a representative value for Blue whale; approximate values.
- Whale shark
- Length
- Blue whale
- Nose-to-tail length
Whale shark
10 mLength
0 - shared origin
Blue whale
25 mNose-to-tail length
0 - shared origin
Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions.
In perspective2.5 times
Measurements, assumptions & sources
Blue whale
25 m - Nose-to-tail length; representative.
A blue whale is a baleen whale that feeds by filtering small animals from seawater. It is the largest living animal known.
A chosen 25 m, 100 tonne adult blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). Population, sex and age matter: this is a representative comparison specimen, not a record animal.
NOAA Fisheries — Blue whale
Compare something else
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
Living thingsWhale shark10 mThe whale shark is the largest living fish and feeds by filtering plankton from the water.
Living thingsBlue whale25 mA blue whale is a baleen whale that feeds by filtering small animals from seawater.
Living thingsHoneybee1.5 cmA honeybee is a social insect that lives in a colony and gathers nectar and pollen from flowers.
PeopleHuman1.75 mA human is a primate of the species Homo sapiens, distinguished by habitual upright walking, language and complex tool use.
Living thingsAfrican elephant3.3 mAn African elephant is a large plant-eating mammal recognised by its trunk, tusks and broad ears.
TransportDouble-decker bus11 mA double-decker bus is a passenger vehicle with two levels, used for public transport.
TransportAirbus A38072.7 mThe Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body passenger aeroplane built for long-haul flights.
Living thingsBottlenose dolphin2.5 mA bottlenose dolphin is a marine mammal with a streamlined body, prominent dorsal fin and a short beak-like snout.Side by side
Another point of view.
Illustrative artwork · not to scaleIllustrative artwork · not to scaleIllustrative artwork · not to scale
Illustrative artwork · not to scaleGot a good eye for scale?