List of broadsides of major World War II ships

This list of broadsides of major World War II ships ranks the total weight of projectiles that can be delivered in single broadsides by major vessels in service during World War II. Listed are the broadsides in pounds and kilograms (for a single main battery salvo), as well as the range to which it can be fired in yards and kilometres and the maximum rate of fire in salvos per minute.

Items are listed in order of broadside weight.

Country Vessel No.
built
Main gun:
number and caliber
Broadside weight Maximum range Maximum
rate of fire
(/min)
(yd) (km)
Japan Yamato-class battleship 2 9 × 46 cm (18.1 in) 45 cal Type 94 28,971 lb (13.141 t) 45,960 42.0 2
USA Iowa-class battleship 4 9 × 16" 50 cal Mark 7 24,300 lb (11.0 t) 42,345 38.7 2
USA North Carolina-class battleship 2 9 × 16" 45 cal Mark 6 24,300 lb (11.0 t) 36,900 33.7 2
USA South Dakota-class battleship 4 9 × 16" 45 cal Mark 6 24,300 lb (11.0 t) 36,900 33.7 2
UK Nelson-class battleship 2 9 × BL 16-inch Mk I 18,432 lb (8.361 t) 39,780 36.4 2
USA Tennessee-class battleship 2 12 × 14" 50 cal Marks 7 & 11 18,000 lb (8.2 t) 36,300 33.2 2
USA New Mexico-class battleship 3 12 × 14" 50 cal Marks 7 & 11 18,000 lb (8.2 t) 36,300 33.2 2
USA Pennsylvania-class battleship 2 12 × 14" 45 cal Marks 8, 9, 10 & 12 18,000 lb (8.2 t) 36,000 33.0 2
Japan Nagato-class battleship 2 8 × 16" 45 cal 3rd Year Type 17,992 lb (8.161 t) 42,000 38.4 2
USA Colorado-class battleship 3 8 × 16" 45 cal Mark 5 17,920 lb (8.13 t) 35,000 32.0 2
Japan Ise-class battleship 2 12 × 14" 45 cal 41st Year Type 17,820 lb (8.08 t) 38,770 35.5 2
Japan Fusō-class battleship 2 12 × 14" 45 cal 41st Year Type 17,820 lb (8.08 t) 38,770 35.5 2
Italy Littorio-class battleship 3 9 × 15" 50 cal Ansaldo 1934 17,559 lb (7.965 t) 46,216 42.3 1.3
UK King George V-class battleship 5 10 × BL 14-inch Mk VII 15,900 lb (7.2 t) 38,560 35.3 2
Chile Battleship Almirante Latorre 1 10 × EOC 14 inch/45 naval gun 15,860 lb (7.19 t) 24,400 22.31 2
France Richelieu-class battleship 2 8 × 15" 45 cal Modèle 1935 15,592 lb (7.072 t) 45,600 41.7 2
UK Queen Elizabeth-class battleship 5 8 × BL 15-inch Mk I 15,504 lb (7.032 t) 33,550 30.7 2
UK Revenge-class battleship 5 8 × BL 15-inch Mk I 15,504 lb (7.032 t) 33,550 30.7 2
UK Battlecruiser HMS Hood 1 8 × BL 15-inch Mk I 15,360 lb (6.97 t) 30,180 27.6 2
USA Nevada-class battleship 2 10 × 14" 45 cal Marks 8, 9, 10 & 12 15,000 lb (6.8 t) 36,000 33.0 2
USA New York-class battleship 2 10 × 14" 45 cal Marks 8, 9, 10 & 12 15,000 lb (6.8 t) 23,000 21.0 2
Germany Bismarck-class battleship 2 8 × 15" 52 cal SK C/34 14,112 lb (6.401 t) 38,880 35.6 2.5
France Bretagne-class battleship 3 10 × 13.4" 45 cal M1912 12,680 lb (5.75 t) 29,090 26.6 2
USSR Gangut-class battleship 4 12 × 12" 52 cal P1907 12,456 lb (5.650 t) 32,080 29.3 2-3
Japan Kongō-class battlecruiser 4 8 × 14" 45 cal 41st Year Type 11,880 lb (5.39 t) 38,770 35.5 2
UK Renown-class battlecruiser 2 6 × BL 15-inch Mk I 11,628 lb (5.274 t) 33,550 30.7 2
Italy Andrea Doria-class battleship 2 10 × 12.6" 44 cal M1936 11,570 lb (5.25 t) 31,280 28.6 2
Italy Conte di Cavour-class battleship 2 10 × 12.6" 44 cal M1934 11,570 lb (5.25 t) 31,280 28.6 2
France Courbet-class battleship 2 12 × 12" 45 cal M1910 11,424 lb (5.182 t) 25,150 23.0 2
Argentina Rivadavia-class battleship 2 12 × 12" 50 cal Bethlehem 10,440 lb (4.74 t) 24,000 22.0 2-3
USA Battleship USS Arkansas 1 12 × 12" 50 cal Mark 7 10,440 lb (4.74 t) 24,000 22.0 3
USA Alaska-class cruiser 2 9 × 12" 50 cal Mark 8 10,260 lb (4.65 t) 38,573 35.3 3
France Dunkerque-class battleship 2 8 × 13" 50 cal M1931 9,880 lb (4.48 t) 45,600 41.7 2
Brazil Minas Geraes-class battleship 2 10 (of 12) × 12" 45 cal EOC 8,500 lb (3.9 t) 18,850 17.2 3
Turkey Battlecruiser Yavuz 1 10 × 11.1" 50 cal SK 6,660 lb (3.02 t) 23,730 21.7 3
Germany Scharnhorst-class battleship 2 9 × 11.1" 54.5 cal SK C/34 6,552 lb (2.972 t) 44,760 40.9 3
Germany Deutschland-class cruiser 3 6 × 11.1" 52 cal SK C/28 3,966 lb (1.799 t) 39,890 36.5 2
UK Roberts-class monitor 2 2 × BL 15-inch Mk I 3,840 lb (1.74 t) 32,500 29.7 2
UK Erebus-class monitor 2 2 × BL 15-inch Mk I 3,840 lb (1.74 t) 32,500 29.7 2
USA 5 of 7 New Orleans-class cruisers 5 9 × 8" 55 cal Marks 12 & 15 3,015 lb (1.368 t) 30,050 27.5 4
USA Baltimore-class cruiser 12 9 × 8" 55 cal Marks 12 & 15 3,015 lb (1.368 t) 30,050 27.5 4
Japan Takao-class cruiser 4 10 × 8" 20 cm/50 3rd Year Type GÔ2 2,770 lb (1.26 t) 32,150 29.4 4
Japan Mogami-class cruiser 4 10 × 8" 20 cm/50 3rd Year Type GÔ2 2,770 lb (1.26 t) 32,150 29.4 4
Japan Myōkō-class cruiser 4 10 × 8" 20 cm/50 3rd Year Type GÔ2 2,770 lb (1.26 t) 32,150 29.4 4
USA Pensacola-class cruiser 2 10 × 8" 55 cal Marks 9 & 14 2,600 lb (1.2 t) 31,860 29.1 4
Germany Battleship Schlesien 2 4 × 11.1" 28 cm SK L/40 2,504 lb (1.136 t) 28,040 25.6 2
France Suffren-class cruiser 7 8 × 8" 203mm/50 Modèle 1924 2,360 lb (1.07 t) 34,340 31.4 5
France Duquesne-class cruiser 2 8 × 8" 155 mm Modèle 1920 2,360 lb (1.07 t) 34,340 31.4 5
USA 2 of 7 New Orleans-class cruisers 2 9 × 8" 55 cal Marks 9 & 14 2,340 lb (1.06 t) 31,860 29.1 4
Greece Cruiser Georgios Averof 1 4 × 9.2" 45 cal Mk X + 8 × 7.5" Cannone da 190/45 2,320 lb (1.05 t)
Japan Tone-class cruiser 2 8 × 8" 50 cal 3rd Year Type GÔ2 2,216 lb (1.005 t) 32,150 29.4 4
Italy Zara-class cruiser 4 8 × 8" 203 mm /53 Ansaldo M1927 2,210 lb (1.00 t) 34,520 31.6 4
Italy Cruiser Bolzano 1 8 × 8" 203 mm /53 Ansaldo M1929 2,210 lb (1.00 t) 34,520 31.6 4
Germany Admiral Hipper-class cruiser 4 8 × 8" 20.3 cm SK C/34 2,152 lb (0.976 t) 36,680 33.5 5
Italy Trento-class cruisers 2 8 × 8" 203 mm /50 Model 1924 2,080 lb (0.94 t) 30,620 28.0 1.5
UK County-class cruiser 13 8 × BL 8-inch Mk VIII 2,048 lb (0.929 t) 30,650 28.0 5
Italy Cruiser San Giorgio 1 4 × 10" 45 cal Model 1908 2,000 lb (0.91 t) 27,300 25.0 3
Finland Väinämöinen-class coastal defense ship 2 4 × 10" 1,984 lb (0.900 t) 33,140 30.3 3
USA Brooklyn-class cruiser 7 15 × 6" 47 cal Mark 16 1,950 lb (0.88 t) 26,118 23.9 8
USSR Kirov-class cruiser 6 9 × 7.1" 180mm/57 B-1-P Pattern 1932 1,935 lb (0.878 t) 41,000 37.5 6
Japan Aoba-class cruiser 2 6 × 8" 50 cal 3rd Year Type GÔ2 1,662 lb (0.754 t) 32,150 29.4 4
Japan Furutaka-class cruiser 2 6 × 8" 50 cal 3rd Year Type GÔ2 1,662 lb (0.754 t) 32,150 29.4 4
USA Cleveland-class cruiser 27 12 × 6" 47 cal Mark 16 1,560 lb (0.71 t) 26,118 23.9 8
UK York-class cruiser 2 6 × BL 8-inch Mk VIII 1,536 lb (0.697 t) 30,650 27.9 5
Japan Kasuga-class cruiser 2 1 × EOC BL 10-inch + 2 × 8" 20.3 cm/45 Type 41 + 4 × 6" 1,400 lb (0.64 t) 19,700 18.0 3
UK Town-class cruiser 10 12 × BL 6-inch Mk XXIII 1,344 lb (0.610 t) 25,480 23.3 6
UK Fiji-class cruiser 11 12 × BL 6-inch Mk XXIII 1,344 lb (0.610 t) 25,400 23.2 6
Argentina Veinticinco de Mayo-class cruiser 2 6 × 7.5" 52 cal 1,200 lb (0.54 t) 29,855 27.3
Denmark Herluf Trolle-class coastal defence ship 1 2 × 9.4" + 4 × 5.9" 1,154 lb (0.523 t)
Italy Abruzzi subclass of Condottieri-class cruisers 2 10 × 6" 152 mm /55 M1934, M1936 1,102 lb (0.500 t) 28,150 25.7 4
France La Galissonnière-class cruiser 10 9 × 152 mm (6.0 in) 55 cal 1,071 lb (0.486 t) 28,952 26.5 8
Netherlands Java-class cruiser 2 10 × 5.9" 50 cal 1,030 lb (0.47 t) 23,200 21.2
Denmark Coast defense ship Niels Juel 1 10 × 5.9" 1,010 lb (0.46 t)
Argentina Independencia-class coastal defense ship 2 2 × 9.4" 40 cal 1,000 lb (0.45 t)
France Duguay-Trouin-class cruiser 3 8 × 155 mm (6.1 in) 50 cal 1,000 lb (0.45 t) 28,540 26.1 4
Japan Izumo-class cruiser 2 4 × 203 mm (8.0 in) 45 cal 1,000 lb (0.45 t) 19,700 18.0 5
Japan Cruiser Yakumo (training duties only during WWII) 1 4 × 8" 45 cal 1,000 lb (0.45 t) 19,700 18.0 5
Japan Cruiser Azuma (training duties only during WWII) 1 4 × 8" 45 cal 1,000 lb (0.45 t) 19,700 18.0 5
Argentina ARA La Argentina 1 9 × 6" 50 cal 900 lb (0.41 t) 25,700 23.5
Germany Königsberg-class cruiser 3 9 × 149.1 mm (5.9 in) C/25 900 lb (0.41 t) 28,100 25.7 8
Germany Leipzig-class cruiser 2 9 × 5.9" 15 cm SK C/25 900 lb (0.41 t) 28,100 25.7 8
Australia Light cruiser HMAS Adelaide 1 9 × 6-inch Mk XII 900 lb (0.41 t) 21,500 19.6 5-7
UK Leander-class cruiser 8 8 × 6-inch Mk XXIII 896 lb (0.406 t) 25,480 23.3 6
USSR Cruiser Krasny Kavkaz 1 4 × 7.1" 57 cal 860 lb (0.39 t) 41,000 37.5 6
USA Omaha-class cruiser 10 4 × 6" 53 cal Mark 16
& 3 × 6" 53 cal Mark 13 (per side)
840 lb (0.38 t) 25,300
Mark 16
23.1
Mark 16
5
Italy 3 of 4 subclasses of Condottieri-class cruisers 10 8 × 6" 152 mm /53 M1926 or M1929 838 lb (0.380 t) 24,716 22.6 4 (M1926)
8 (M1929)
Japan Chikuma-class cruiser 3 8 × 6" 45 cal 800 lb (0.36 t) 16,185 14.8
UK Dido-class cruiser 11 10 × QF 5.25-inch Mk I 800 lb (0.36 t) 24,070 22.0 7
USA Atlanta-class cruisers (first group) 4 14 (of 16) × 5" 38 cal Mark 12 773 lb (0.351 t) 17,392 15.9 15 - 22
Japan Cruiser Ōyodo 1 6 × 6.1" 15.5 cm/60 3rd Year Type 738 lb (0.335 t) 29,960 27.4 5
Netherlands Cruiser De Ruyter 1 7 × 5.9" 50 cal 721 lb (0.327 t) 23,200 21.2
Argentina Coast defense ship General Belgrano 2 2 × 10" 35 cal 706 lb (0.320 t)
UK Emerald-class cruiser 2 7 × BL 6-inch Mark VII 700 lb (0.32 t) 18,750 17.1 5
UK Arethusa-class cruiser 4 6 × BL 6-inch Mk XXIII 672 lb (0.305 t) 25,480 23.3 6
USA Oakland sub-class of Atlanta-class cruisers 4 12 × 5" 38 cal Mark 12 662 lb (0.300 t) 17,392 15.9 15 - 22
USSR Cruiser Krasni Krym 2 8 (of 15) × 5.1" 55 cal 648 lb (0.294 t) 20,690 19.2 6
Norway Coast defense ship Harald Haarfagre 4 2 × 8.2" 626 lb (0.284 t)
Netherlands Cruiser Tromp 2 6 × 5.9" 50 cal 618 lb (0.280 t) 23,200 21.2
Germany Cruiser Emden 1 8 × 150 mm (5.9 in) 45 cal 600 lb (0.27 t) 18,370 16.8
Japan Agano-class cruiser 4 6 × 150 mm (5.9 in) 50 cal 600 lb (0.27 t) 22,970 21.0 8
UK Danae-class cruiser 8 6 × BL 6-inch Mk XII 600 lb (0.27 t) 21,500 19.6 5-7
Italy Capitani Romani-class cruiser 3 8 × 5.3" 45 cal M1938 577 lb (0.262 t) 21,435 19.6 6
Japan Cruiser Yūbari 1 6 × 5.5" 50 cal 500 lb (0.23 t) 19,140 17.5 8
Japan Sendai-class cruiser 3 6 × 5.5" 50 cal 500 lb (0.23 t) 19,140 17.5 8
Japan Nagara-class cruiser 6 6 × 5.5" 50 cal 500 lb (0.23 t) 19,140 17.5 8
Japan Kuma-class cruiser 5 6 × 5.5" 50 cal 500 lb (0.23 t) 19,140 17.5 8
Japan Seaplane carrier Nisshin 1 6 × 5.5" 50 cal 500 lb (0.23 t) 19,140 17.5 8
UK C-class cruiser 4 5 × BL 6-inch Mk XII 500 lb (0.23 t) 21,500 19.6 5-7