A LITTLE WILDLIFE PERSPECTIVE
How tall is a crocodile?
Compare your height to a crocodile.
Crocodiles are usually measured by length, not height. Very large male saltwater crocodiles can reach 6–7 m long; females generally stay at or below about 3 m.
A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE
Crocodile
next to the average.
Average U.S. adults, side by side.
- Average man (U.S.)5 ft 8.9 in
- Crocodile1 ft 11.6 in
- Average woman (U.S.)5 ft 3.5 in
How do you measure up?
Enter your height to stand beside a crocodile.
Side by side
- Crocodile1 ft 11.6 in
- Your placeAdd your height
The animal is an example adult in the pose shown. Its full outline is scaled to 60 cm. Shoulder height and body length are explained below.
Where do you stand?
Keep this comparison and open the full library of people, celebrities, animals, and objects.
GET TO KNOW THE ANIMAL
Small facts. Big discoveries.
Saltwater crocodile · Crocodylus porosus as a size example
A crocodile has a long, low body, a muscular tail, and a large head. Comparing its standing height alone hides just how much of the animal stretches out behind it.
Saltwater crocodiles use freshwater rivers and swamps as well as coastal water, so the name does not describe their whole habitat. They can swim between river systems along the coast, while a hunting animal may stay almost submerged with its eyes and nostrils above the surface.
- Young saltwater crocodiles are lighter in color with dark markings, becoming darker as they grow.
- A pair of ridges runs from the eyes toward the center of the snout.
How big do adults get?
- Male
- Very large adults: 6–7 m long
- Female
- Generally no more than about 3 m long
These are saltwater crocodile lengths, not typical sizes for every crocodile species. The comparison scales the low standing outline to 60 cm high.
Height, length, or weight?
Standing height runs from the ground to the top of the animal. Shoulder height stops at the top of the shoulders. Length runs along the body; it is not how tall an animal stands. Weight tells us how heavy it is.
Explore the science: Animal Diversity Web · University of Michigan ↗