how big is a giant squid

Giant squid really are giant: the largest reliably measured individuals reach about 13 meters (around 43 feet) long from the back fins to the tip of the longest tentacles, and may weigh close to a ton.

Quick Scoop: How big is a giant squid?

• Typical adult males: up to about 10 meters (33 feet) long.

• Typical adult females: around 12–13 meters (39–43 feet) long, making them larger than males.

• Maximum scientifically recorded size: almost 43 feet (13 meters) in total length, likely approaching 1,000 kg (about a ton) in weight.

• Mantle (main body) length: measured specimens have mantles a bit over 2.25 meters (about 7.4 feet), which scientists use as the best “real body size” because tentacles can stretch or break.

Think of it this way: a big giant squid can be roughly the length of a standard school bus, just slimmer and with two very long feeding tentacles instead of wheels.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.