Tsar Bomba vs Soviet Test 219
Nuclear weapon side-by-side comparison
Tsar Bomba
USSR · 1961 · thermonuclear
50 Mt
Largest nuclear weapon ever tested.
Soviet Test 219
USSR · 1962 · thermonuclear
24.2 Mt
Third largest Soviet test.
Verdict
The Tsar Bomba is 2.1× more powerful than the Soviet Test 219 by yield. Both weapons are described in detail below, with side-by-side blast and thermal radii, casualty estimates at a reference urban density, and historical context.
Blast & thermal effects (air burst)
| Effect zone | Tsar Bomba | Soviet Test 219 |
|---|---|---|
| Yield | 50 Mt | 24.2 Mt |
| Fireball radius | 10.99 km | 8.22 km |
| Severe blast (20 PSI) | 17.13 km | 13.48 km |
| Moderate blast (5 PSI) | 36.60 km | 28.81 km |
| Light blast (1 PSI) | 104.12 km | 81.95 km |
| 3rd-degree thermal burns | 56.58 km | 42.02 km |
| 2nd-degree thermal burns | 101.33 km | 75.26 km |
Casualty estimate (dense urban target)
Estimated immediate fatalities if each weapon air-bursts over a city center with a population density of about 8,000 per km² (representative of dense urban cores like Manhattan or central Paris):
Real casualties depend strongly on time of day, sheltering, weather, and altitude of detonation. See the methodology page for the underlying formulas.
Hiroshima reference
The Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy) had a yield of approximately 15 kilotons. The Tsar Bomba is 3,333× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. The Soviet Test 219 is 1,613× more powerful.
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FAQ
Is the Tsar Bomba bigger than the Soviet Test 219?
Yes. The Tsar Bomba (50 Mt) is 2.1× more powerful than the Soviet Test 219 (24.2 Mt).
What is the blast radius of the Tsar Bomba compared to the Soviet Test 219?
For an air burst, the Tsar Bomba produces a 5 PSI moderate-blast radius of 36.60 km, versus 28.81 km for the Soviet Test 219. Severe blast (20 PSI): 17.13 km vs 13.48 km. 3rd-degree thermal burns: 56.58 km vs 42.02 km.
How many people would die from a Tsar Bomba compared to a Soviet Test 219?
Detonated over a typical dense city center (8,000 people/km²), the Tsar Bomba would cause an estimated 20,373,787 immediate fatalities. The Soviet Test 219 would cause an estimated 12,620,300. Real numbers depend on time of day, sheltering, weather, and altitude of detonation.
How do the Tsar Bomba and Soviet Test 219 compare to the Hiroshima bomb?
The Tsar Bomba is 3,333× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy, 15 kt). The Soviet Test 219 is 1,613× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.