Average Size and Maximum Dimensions
Adult great white sharks typically measure 4.0 to 5.2 meters (13 to 17 feet) in total length, with females averaging larger than males. The largest reliably measured individuals reach around 6.1 meters (20 feet), and historical reports of 7+ meters remain unverified by peer-reviewed records Forbes.
Weight scales with length; mature great whites commonly weigh between 680 and 1,800 kilograms (1,500 to 4,000 pounds). The heaviest scientifically documented specimens approach 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds), with body mass influenced by geographic population and prey availability Forbes.
Sexual Dimorphism and Growth Rates
Female vs Male Size
Females are generally 0.3 to 0.6 meters (1 to 2 feet) longer than males at sexual maturity, a form of sexual dimorphism that affects hunting niche and migration range. This size gap is consistent across major study populations from South Africa to the North Atlantic Forbes.
Growth and Maturity Milestones
Great whites reach sexual maturity at roughly 9 to 10 years for males and 14 to 16 years for females, with length at maturity around 3.5 to 4.0 meters (11.5 to 13 feet). Growth rates slow after maturity, and longevity estimates exceed 70 years based on vertebral band counts Forbes.
Comparative Size Context
How Great Whites Compare to Other Apex Predators
At the upper end of their size range, great whites overlap with large male saltwater crocodiles and are shorter than the biggest recorded whale sharks and basking sharks, but they exceed the length of most killer whale ecotypes Forbes.
Regional Size Variation
Populations in the Northeast Pacific and off South Africa include some of the largest individuals on record, while Indo-Pacific populations tend to run smaller on average. Tagging programs and fishery-dependent data continue to refine these regional benchmarks Forbes.