A LITTLE WILDLIFE PERSPECTIVE
How big is a giant squid?
Compare your height to a giant squid.
Giant squid can reach about 13 m (43 ft) in total length, including their long feeding tentacles. This example spans 8 m.
A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE
Giant squid
next to the average.
Average U.S. adults, side by side.
Top view · example 8 m long adult, including tentacles
- Average man (U.S.)5 ft 8.9 in
- Giant squid4 ft 9.3 in
- Average woman (U.S.)5 ft 3.5 in
How do you measure up?
Enter your height to stand beside a giant squid.
Side by side
- Giant squid4 ft 9.3 in
- Your placeAdd your height
The animal is an example adult in the pose shown. Its full outline is scaled to 145.5 cm vertically. Top view · example 8 m long adult, including tentacles. 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.
Giant squid · Architeuthis dux
A giant squid has eight arms and two much longer feeding tentacles. The tentacles reach toward prey, while the arms help bring the catch to its beak.
Giant squid live deep in the ocean and are rarely seen alive. Much of what researchers know comes from stranded animals and remains found in sperm whales, one of their predators.
- The long feeding tentacles can extend more than twice the body length.
- Their large eyes help them gather light in the deep ocean.
How big do adults get?
- Male
- Species record: about 13 m total length
- Female
- Species record: about 13 m total length
The record is species-wide, not a separate maximum for each sex. Total length includes the tentacles; it is much longer than the mantle alone. The silhouette is viewed from above.
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: Smithsonian Ocean ↗