How Big Do Killer Whales Get? One Hit 22,000 Pounds

Quick Take

• Killer whales aren't actually whales, and that biological truth changes everything about how you should think about their size. Explore orca ecotypes →
• Not all orcas come close to the size most people picture. Some ecotypes are shockingly smaller than others, and diet is part of the reason why. See the smallest ecotype →
• Orca calves look nothing like what you'd expect from a newborn. Their size at birth will completely reframe what "baby" means for this species. See newborn orca size →
• The largest killer whale ever recorded dwarfs what most people consider a typical orca, and the gap between average and record is truly staggering. See the record holder →

It may be hard to see their total size from the water, but on average, orcas (Orcinus orca) are as long as a small school bus. The killer whale, or orca, is not actually a whale, but the biggest species of dolphin, as they belong to the family Delphinidae. Orcas are one of the most recognizable sea creatures with their distinctive black bodies, white bellies, and gray markings behind the dorsal fin. Their unique coloring is a form of camouflage, as the pattern obscures the outline of their bodies so their prey doesn’t realize these predators are close until it’s too late. While it’s common knowledge that orcas are large, just how big do they get? Read on to find out.

Killer Whale Size

There are two primary subspecies of killer whales, but there are at least 10 ecotypes that differ not only in diet, appearance, and behavior but also genetics. Although their ranges often overlap, researchers believe they do not interbreed or interact with each other. Take an in-depth look at the size of each of the orca ecotypes. Scientifically verified weights are currently unknown for some ecotypes, but research on these whales is ongoing.

Antarctic Killer Whale Type C

The smallest ecotype is the Antarctic killer whale type C, also known as the Ross Sea orca. They live in the eastern Antarctic and eat primarily fish. Adults only reach about 20 feet in length. They have a grey and white color pattern that often appears yellowish due to a diatom coating (a layer of algae) on their skin. These whales also have a narrow, slanted eye patch.

Resident Killer Whale

The resident orca exclusively eats fish, with some populations specializing in salmon. These whales inhabit the northeast region of the North Pacific Ocean. Resident males generally measure up to 24 feet while female whales typically grow to around 21 feet. These whales are black and white, but their grey saddle marking is often interrupted by black, or “open,” which is not found in other ecotypes.

Bigg’s Killer Whale

Bigg’s killer whales primarily occur in the North Pacific, but they are migratory orcas that travel across vast ranges. These orcas prey on large marine mammals and hunt in small groups. Males can reach around 24 feet, with some large individuals exceeding this length. Females measure around 20 feet. These killer whales have black and white coloring, but their saddle markings are not open like those of resident whales.

Offshore Killer Whale

The offshore killer whale is the most elusive orca species in the northern hemisphere. They hunt sharks in open waters, far from busy shorelines, so they are rarely sighted. Offshore killer whales occur mainly along the outer continental shelf of the eastern North Pacific. They travel in large groups of 100 to 200, and some groups travel from Alaska to California. These whales measure up to 22 feet, with females being smaller.

Northern Atlantic Type 1 Killer Whale

The northern Atlantic type 1 killer whale predominantly inhabits the regions of Norway, Iceland, and Scotland. These whales are believed to live in family pods and are generalist feeders. Off the coast of Norway, they cooperatively herd herring and mackerel into schools. These whales may also hunt sharks. They are smaller orcas, with females measuring 16 to 19 feet long while males grow between 19 to 22 feet.

Northern Atlantic Type 2 Killer Whale

The northern Atlantic type 2 killer whale primarily occurs off the coasts of Iceland and Norway. However, they sometimes travel as far south as the Azores. These orcas are known to prey on other cetaceans, including minke whales. These black and white orcas have very obvious back-sloping white patches over their eyes, with a prominent saddle. Type 2 orcas are one of the biggest ecotypes, as males grow to 28 feet long.

Antarctic Type A Killer Whale

The largest species of killer whale is the Antarctic type A killer whale, which is a black and white form of orca. These huge whales can grow 31 feet or more. These killer whales get so big because of their diet, which consists of large prey. They hunt minke whales, which they follow through the Antarctic waters and north into parts of the Southern Ocean. They are also known to hunt elephant seals off the coast of Argentina.

Pack Ice Killer Whale

Pack ice killer whales are large two-toned gray and white orcas with large white eye patches. Like the subantarctic killer whale type C, they often have a yellow tint to their skin due to diatoms. These whales are circumpolar, primarily feeding on Weddell seals in the pack ice. They are known to use coordinated wave-washing techniques to hunt seals off ice floes. They may also consume minke whales. These whales can reach around 26 feet long.

Gerlache Killer Whale

Gerlache orcas are medium-sized two-toned grey and white whales with large white eye patches. Diatoms have also caused these whales to have a yellowish tint to their skin. They are often found around the Antarctic peninsula, specifically the Gerlache Strait. These whales have been observed eating penguins. They average 21 feet in length, but their maximum length is unknown.

How Big Are Killer Whale Calves When They Are Born?

Female orcas must carry their offspring for 15 to 18 months before giving birth. Killer whale calves may be babies, but they certainly don’t look like it. Both female and male orcas measure around 8 feet at birth. They usually weigh about 400 pounds.

The Largest Killer Whale Ever Recorded

The largest recorded male was 32 feet in length and weighed 22,000 pounds. This orca was nearly as long as a school bus and almost as heavy as two fully-grown male African elephants. The average weight of a killer whale is typically around 8,000 to 12,000 pounds, so this massive orca must have been an incredible sight. The largest recorded female was 28 feet and weighed 16,500 pounds. Average female orcas weigh between 3,000 and 8,000 pounds.