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.
The species is one of the largest squid species, alongside the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) and the giant squid (Architeuthis sp.), sharing similar characteristics.