Sperm whale
The sperm whale is a deep-diving toothed whale distinguished by its large, block-shaped head.
How big is it?
16 m long
Also 52.49 ft
Length · defined specimen
A little perspective
About the same scale as Volleyball court.
Volleyball court: A volleyball court is the marked rectangular playing surface divided by a net for the team sport of volleyball.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Sperm whale
A chosen 16 m, 40 tonne adult male. Length is measured from nose to tail extremity.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Volleyball court
18 × 9 m playing surface. Excludes surrounding space.
WA Government — volleyball dimensions
The marked length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Change your perspective
Put it next to…
Choose a suggestion to redraw the comparison, or open its page to learn what it is.
Why this measurement?
Why we use 16 m
For comparison, this page uses length. This is labelled defined specimen: an explicit comparison model rather than a claim that every example has the same value.
A chosen 16 m, 40 tonne adult male. Length is measured from nose to tail extremity.
The marked horizontal span follows the named feature; transparent margins and unmeasured details do not alter it. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Sperm whale dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 m | Not recorded | defined specimen | |
| 40 t | Not recorded | defined specimen |
Around this scale
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible length records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · Living thingsHumpback whale15 mThe humpback whale is a baleen whale recognised for its long pectoral fins and complex vocalisations.
Around the same scale · TransportArticulated lorry16.5 mAn articulated lorry is a heavy goods vehicle with a cab and a detachable trailer for carrying freight.
Nearest higher value · Living thingsBlue whale25 mA blue whale is a baleen whale that feeds by filtering small animals from seawater.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
More ways to see it
Curated comparisons
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
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.Living thingsBlue whale25 mA blue whale is a baleen whale that feeds by filtering small animals from seawater.
SportVolleyball court18 mA volleyball court is the marked rectangular playing surface divided by a net for the team sport of volleyball.
TransportCanal narrowboat17.7 mA canal narrowboat is a long, slender vessel designed for navigating the narrow canals of the United Kingdom.
SpaceHubble Space Telescope13.2 mThe Hubble Space Telescope is an orbiting observatory launched by NASA to capture detailed images of astronomical objects.
Living thingsTyrannosaurus rex12 mTyrannosaurus rex was a large, meat-eating dinosaur from the late Cretaceous period, recognised for its massive skull and powerful jaws.