Architeuthidae familia_authority = Pfeffer (Georg Johann Pfeffer), 1900 genus = Architeuthis genus_authority = Steenstrup (Japetus Steenstrup) in Harting (P. Harting), 1860 subdivision_ranks = Species subdivision = *Architeuthis dux Steenstrup, 1857 *?Architeuthis hartingii Verrill, 1875 *?Architeuthis japonica Pfeffer, 1912 *?Architeuthis kirkii Robson, 1887 *?Architeuthis martensi (Hilgendorf, 1880) *?Architeuthis physeteris (Joubin, 1900) *?Architeuthis sanctipauli (Velain, 1877) *?Architeuthis stockii (Kirk, 1882) synonyms = *Architeuthus Steenstrup, 1857 *Dinoteuthis More, 1875 *Dubioteuthis Joubin, 1900 *Megaloteuthis Kent, 1874 *Megateuthis Hilgendorf in Carus, 1880 *Megateuthus Hilgendorf, 1880 *Mouchezis Velain, 1877 *Plectoteuthis Owen, 1881 *Steenstrupia Kirk, 1882

The giant squid (genus: Architeuthis) is a deep-ocean dwelling squid in the family (family (biology)) Architeuthidae, represented by as many as eight species. Giant squid can grow to a tremendous size (Deep-sea gigantism): recent estimates put the maximum size at convert13mft for females and convert10mft for males from caudal fin (Fish anatomy) to the tip of the two long tentacles (second only to the colossal squid at an estimated convert14mft, one of the largest living organisms (largest organisms)). The mantle (Mantle (mollusc)) is about convert2mft long (more for females, less for males), and the length of the squid excluding its tentacles is about convert5mft. There have been claims reported of specimens of up to convert20mft, but no animals of such size have been scientifically documented.

On September 30, 2004, researchers from the National Science Museum of Japan and the Ogasawara Whale Watching Association took the first images of a live giant squid in its natural habitat. Several of the 556 photographs were released a year later. The same team successfully filmed a live adult giant squid for the first time on December 4, 2006.