Compare shark sizes on our infographic

There are over 500 species of shark. They can be as big as a bus or as small as a pencil

Eight outlines of different shark species and one human diver on an underwater background

SHARK OUTLINES: BULLET_CHAINED/GETTY IMAGES AND B. PRICE
BACKGROUND: KIATTISAKCH/GETTY IMAGES

Since Jaws was released 50 years ago, great white sharks have, arguably, become the most recognized fish in the ocean. But despite their fame, they’re not the biggest shark species.

The largest shark alive today, the plankton-eating whale shark, typically grows to about 14 meters long for females and 9 meters for males, with one specimen reaching nearly 19 meters.