The Definitive Dragon Size Comparison: Ranking The 10 Biggest Wyrms From Game Of Thrones And House Of The Dragon

The sheer scale of the dragons in the world of Westeros is a topic of endless fascination, and as of late 2025, with the *House of the Dragon* series expanding the lore, the definitive size comparison has become a fresh, critical piece of information. The key takeaway is that the dragons featured in *House of the Dragon* (HOTD) are significantly larger and older than Daenerys Targaryen's brood from *Game of Thrones* (GOT), offering a new perspective on the true power of the Targaryen dynasty. The difference is stark, revealing that even Drogon, the largest of Daenerys's dragons, pales in comparison to the ancient, colossal beasts that fought in the Dance of the Dragons, let alone the legendary Balerion the Black Dread. The size of a dragon in the *A Song of Ice and Fire* universe is directly proportional to its age, meaning the older the dragon, the larger and more terrifying it becomes. This principle is the bedrock of understanding the hierarchy of power, where Vhagar’s immense size in *House of the Dragon* immediately establishes her as the most formidable flying weapon in the realm, second only to the long-deceased, truly mythical Balerion. This deep dive into the official and estimated measurements will finally settle the debate on which dragon truly deserves the title of the biggest and baddest in the Seven Kingdoms.

The Unmatched Scale of Balerion the Black Dread

No dragon in the history of Westeros commands more awe and terror than Balerion the Black Dread. Balerion was the personal mount of Aegon the Conqueror and was instrumental in forging the Seven Kingdoms into a single realm. At the time of his death, Balerion was estimated to be over 200 years old, making him the oldest and largest known dragon. His skull, which was stored in the Red Keep, was so massive that a knight on horseback could ride down its gullet. While exact, official show measurements are difficult to pin down, lore suggests Balerion’s wingspan was vast, and his length was colossal, estimated by fans and commentators to be in the range of 310 to 320+ feet long (around 95–100 meters). His sheer size means he remains the gold standard against which all other dragons, including the massive Vhagar, are measured. Balerion’s fire was said to be as black as his scales, capable of melting stone and steel.

Vhagar and the Ancient Wyrms of the Dance

The introduction of Vhagar in *House of the Dragon* finally gave viewers a true sense of the ancient, terrifying scale of a fully-grown dragon. Vhagar, the mount of Laena Velaryon and later Aemond Targaryen, was the last living dragon from the time of Aegon's Conquest, second only to Balerion in age and size. During the Dance of the Dragons, Vhagar was approximately 181 years old. Her size is officially measured in the show's production materials, with a nose-to-tail length of around 90 meters (approximately 295 feet). This makes her the largest dragon ever seen on screen in either *Game of Thrones* or *House of the Dragon*. Vhagar’s colossal frame, scarred and ancient, is often compared to Balerion's skull, and it’s clear she is only slightly smaller than the Black Dread was at his death. Her roar is powerful enough to shake the ground, and her breath is one of the deadliest weapons in the entire series. Other ancient dragons from the *House of the Dragon* era also highlight the sheer size difference compared to their *Game of Thrones* counterparts: * Vermithor: Known as "The Bronze Fury," Vermithor is another massive, ancient dragon, second only to Vhagar during the Dance. He was the mount of King Jaehaerys I. * Caraxes: Nicknamed "The Blood Wyrm" and ridden by Daemon Targaryen, Caraxes is a leaner, more serpentine dragon, but still massive, estimated to be over 200 feet long. His fiery temperament matches his formidable size. * Meleys: "The Red Queen," ridden by Rhaenys Targaryen, is noted for her speed and her impressive size, estimated to be around 150 feet long.

Drogon and the Younger Generation: GOT vs. HOTD

The size difference between the dragons of *Game of Thrones* and *House of the Dragon* is one of the most compelling aspects of the lore expansion. Drogon, the largest of Daenerys's three dragons, Rhaegal, and Viserion, was undoubtedly a terrifying force in *Game of Thrones*, but his age limited his ultimate size. When *Game of Thrones* ended, Drogon was only around 10 years old. While the show visually inflated his size to make him appear more formidable, his true scale based on the established lore would have been significantly smaller than the centenarian dragons of *House of the Dragon*. In terms of raw measurement, Drogon’s wingspan was approximately 150 feet in the final seasons of *Game of Thrones*. While this is impressive, it means he is roughly the size of Meleys and dwarfed by the 295-foot Vhagar and the 320-foot Balerion. The contrast is a clear illustration of the central theme: the Targaryen power during the Dance of the Dragons was rooted in truly ancient, unmatched weaponry that Daenerys's younger dragons simply had not had the time to grow into. The dragons of *House of the Dragon* are a direct result of decades of uninterrupted growth, whereas Drogon and his siblings were prematurely killed or separated before reaching their full potential.

Ranking the Top 10 Largest Dragons by Estimated Size

This list compiles the largest and most significant dragons from both *Game of Thrones* (GOT) and *House of the Dragon* (HOTD), ranked by their estimated maximum size based on show production details and established book lore. The size is generally measured from nose-to-tail length.

1. Balerion the Black Dread (GOT/Lore)

• Estimated Size: 310–320+ feet long.
• Significance: The largest dragon in history, mount of Aegon the Conqueror.

2. Vhagar (HOTD)

• Estimated Size: ~295 feet (90 meters) long.
• Significance: The largest living dragon during the Dance of the Dragons.

3. Vermithor (HOTD)

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• Estimated Size: Only slightly smaller than Vhagar.
• Significance: "The Bronze Fury," one of the oldest and most powerful free dragons.

4. The Cannibal (HOTD)

• Estimated Size: Very large, comparable to Vermithor.
• Significance: A wild dragon who earned his name by eating the hatchlings and young dragons of Dragonstone.

5. Dreamfyre (HOTD)

• Estimated Size: Large, comparable to Silverwing.
• Significance: Ridden by Rhaena Targaryen and later Helaena Targaryen.

6. Silverwing (HOTD)

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• Estimated Size: Large, comparable to Dreamfyre.
• Significance: The mount of Queen Alysanne Targaryen.

7. Caraxes (HOTD)

• Estimated Size: Over 200 feet long.
• Significance: "The Blood Wyrm," known for his aggressive nature and lean, serpentine body.

8. Meleys (HOTD)

• Estimated Size: ~150 feet long.
• Significance: "The Red Queen," known for her speed and formidable presence.

9. Drogon (GOT)

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• Estimated Size: ~150 feet wingspan in the final season.
• Significance: The largest and most powerful of Daenerys Targaryen's dragons.

10. Syrax (HOTD)

• Estimated Size: Smaller than Caraxes and Meleys, but fully grown.
• Significance: Ridden by Rhaenyra Targaryen, a beautiful but less battle-hardened dragon.

The Rule of Age and Uninterrupted Growth

The key factor determining a dragon's size is not its species, but its age and the environment in which it is raised. Dragons in Westeros, unlike those in Valyria, were often constrained, which stunted their growth over time. The dragons of *House of the Dragon* benefited from decades of free flight around Dragonstone, allowing them to reach truly colossal sizes. This is why Vhagar is so much larger than Drogon; Vhagar was nearly two centuries old, while Drogon was barely a decade old. This crucial piece of lore explains the massive disparity in the size comparison charts and underscores the true, terrifying power of the Targaryen lineage at its peak during the Dance of the Dragons.