The species may attain a mantle length of  and a total length of over , making it one of the largest species of squid, together with the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), giant squid (Architeuthis sp.
This species can grow to lengths of over  in mantle and over in total length, placing it among the biggest squid species, including the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) and the giant squid (Architeuthis sp.).