Dimensions
| Measurement | Metric | Imperial | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length (estimated range) | 14–18 m | 46–59 ft | Estimated body length; Britannica gives 14-18 m (46-59 ft), and the Natural History Museum's single estimate is 14 m (46 ft) from nose to tail. Range: varies | [2] [1] |
| Mass (estimated) | ≈ 7,400 kg | ≈ 8.2 US tons | Estimated body weight; Britannica says later studies found the largest members of the genus were rarely more than 7,400 kg. Approximate | [1] [2] |
| Early high mass estimate | up to 20,000 kg | up to 22 US tons | Estimated: some early studies suggested the largest individuals could have weighed up to 20,000 kg (22 tons). Maximum | [2] |
| Sail height | ≈ 1.5 m | ≈ 4 ft 11 in | Height of the sail on its back. Approximate | [1] |
| Skull length | ≈ 1.75 m | ≈ 5 ft 9 in | Britannica gives 1.75 metres (roughly 6 feet). Approximate | [2] |
About the Spinosaurus
Spinosaurus was a large meat-eating dinosaur from North Africa that lived about 99 to 94 million years ago in the Late Cretaceous. It had a narrow, fish-catching snout, a tall sail on its back and short hind legs, and may have spent much of its time in and around water. It is thought to be the longest known carnivorous dinosaur, with length estimates of about 14 to 18 metres, but no complete skeleton has been found.
- The first Spinosaurus fossils, found in Egypt in 1912 and named by Ernst Stromer in 1915, were destroyed in April 1944 when a bombing raid hit the Munich museum that held them. [1] [2]
- Its short hind legs meant that Tyrannosaurus stood taller at the hips, even though Spinosaurus was longer. [1]
- It had a wide, paddle-like tail, and scientists still debate how much it swam and whether it walked on two legs or four. [1]
- Later fragmentary remains have been found in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Niger. [2]
How many fit?
- ≈ 8–11 × Human · height lined up end to end match the Spinosaurus · length (estimated range)
- ≈ 88 × Human · body mass on the scales weigh as much as Spinosaurus · mass (estimated)
- ≈ 2.8–3.7 × Car · length lined up end to end match the Spinosaurus · length (estimated range)
- ≈ 4.5 × Car · curb weight on the scales weigh as much as Spinosaurus · mass (estimated)
Counts divide one sourced figure by another. "End to end" uses each object's main measurement; weight and volume rows appear only when both figures are sourced.
How it compares
- 8–11× A Spinosaurus is about 8–11 times as long as an average adult is tall. See side by side
- 2.8–3.7× A Spinosaurus is about 2.8–3.7 times as long as a mid-size car. See side by side
- 1.1–1.4× A Spinosaurus is about 1.1–1.4 times as long as a city bus. See side by side
- 1.2–1.5× A Spinosaurus is about 1.2–1.5 times as long as a Brachiosaurus is tall. See side by side
- 1/1.3–1.7 A tennis court is about 1.3–1.7 times as long as a Spinosaurus. See side by side
- 1/2.2–2.8 A Boeing 737 is about 2.2–2.8 times as long as a Spinosaurus. See side by side
Factors compare the length (estimated range) of a Spinosaurus with each object’s own main measurement (height for a human). Where a size varies, the factor is given as a range.
Notes on these figures
- All sizes are estimates. No complete Spinosaurus skeleton is known, and published estimates vary a lot; the length is kept as the 14-18 m range.
- Mass estimates range from about 7,400 kg to early figures of up to 20,000 kg.
Sources
- Natural History Museum, London, Spinosaurus (Dino Directory). Accessed 25 September 2026.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, Spinosaurus. Accessed 25 September 2026.