War Thunder Gun Comparison Tool
Compare tank guns side-by-side. Analyze penetration, reload speed, DPM, shell velocity, and overall effectiveness to find the best gun for your playstyle.
Select guns from the historic database or customize stats manually to compare performance
Gun 1
WinnerCalculated Stats
Gun 2
Calculated Stats
📊 Comparison Results
📋 Detailed Stat Comparison
| Statistic | 8.8cm KwK 36 | 85mm D-5T | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | 88mm | 85mm | 3mm |
| Penetration @ 100m | 165mm | 145mm | 20mm |
| Reload Time | 7.6s | 8.1s | 0.5s |
| Shell Velocity | 773 m/s | 792 m/s | 19 m/s |
| DPM | 1303 | 1074 | 229 |
| Alpha Strike | 261 | 222 | 39 |
| Overall Score | 211 | 198 | 13 |
🌍 Gun Analysis by Nation
🇩🇪 German Guns
High penetration, excellent accuracy, slower reload
Strengths
- + Best penetration values at all BRs
- + Excellent long-range accuracy
- + High muzzle velocity (KwK 42/43)
- + Reliable APHE damage
Weaknesses
- − Slower reload speeds (especially 88mm+)
- − Heavy gun weight affects turret traverse
- − Limited gun depression on some platforms
🇷🇺 Soviet Guns
Massive alpha damage, long reload, excellent APHE
Strengths
- + Highest explosive filler (122mm+)
- + Devastating one-shot potential
- + Good post-war APFSDS
- + Reliable at all ranges
Weaknesses
- − Very long reload times (122mm)
- − Lower penetration vs German guns
- − Slower shell velocity (pre-Cold War)
- − Limited APCR options
🇺🇸 American Guns
Balanced performance, fast reload, versatile
Strengths
- + Fastest reload speeds (76mm/90mm)
- + Good gun stabilization
- + Excellent gun depression (-10°)
- + Versatile ammunition options
Weaknesses
- − Lower penetration than German/British
- − Solid shot on many tanks (M82 exception)
- − Medium alpha damage
- − 75mm underpowered at higher BRs
🇬🇧 British Guns
Excellent penetration, APDS specialists, poor damage
Strengths
- + Best APDS penetration (17-pdr, 20-pdr)
- + High velocity and flat trajectory
- + Excellent long-range performance
- + Good stabilization (post-war)
Weaknesses
- − No APHE - solid shot only
- − Poor post-penetration damage
- − Requires precise aiming
- − Struggles vs angled armor
📚 Historic Gun Database
⚔️ Classic Gun Matchups
Tiger vs T-34-85
Tiger has superior penetration and armor. T-34-85 counters with faster reload (8.1s vs 7.6s) and better mobility.
Sherman 76 vs Panther
Panther dominates with higher pen and velocity. Sherman must flank or use APCR (190mm pen) against flat armor.
IS-2 vs King Tiger
King Tiger has better pen and reload. IS-2's massive 122mm APHE (246g filler) guarantees one-shot kills but 27s reload is punishing.
Centurion vs T-54
British APDS has superior penetration. Soviet gun has better damage with APHE. Stabilizer gives Centurion advantage on the move.
M1 Abrams vs T-72
M1 has faster reload (6.0s vs 7.1s) and better optics. T-72 autoloader provides consistency but can't be improved with crew skills.
Leopard 1 vs AMX-30
Nearly identical performance. Both use L7-derived guns with similar stats. Differences come down to platform (mobility, armor, thermals).
📖 Understanding Gun Statistics
🎯 Penetration
Ability to defeat armor at specific range (usually 100m or 10m). Higher is better for engaging armored targets.
⚡ Reload Speed
Time between shots. Lower is better for DPM and follow-up shots. Affected by crew skills.
🚀 Shell Velocity
Muzzle velocity in m/s. Higher velocity = flatter trajectory and easier aiming at range.
💥 DPM
Damage Per Minute. Combines penetration and reload. Higher DPM = better sustained fighting capability.
💢 Alpha Strike
Single-shot damage potential. Factors in caliber, penetration, and shell type. Higher = better one-shot kills.
⭐ Overall Score
Composite rating balancing all stats. Considers pen, reload, velocity, caliber, and shell type effectiveness.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
💡 Key Takeaways
No Perfect Gun
Every gun has tradeoffs. High pen usually means slower reload. Fast reload often means lower damage. Choose based on your playstyle.
Shell Type Matters
APHE does 3-5x more damage than solid shot. Always prioritize APHE even with lower penetration. Only use APCR/APDS when necessary.
DPM vs Alpha
High DPM guns excel in brawls and multi-target fights. High alpha guns need one-shot kills. Match gun to your tactics.
Platform Synergy
Best gun means nothing on wrong platform. Consider mobility, armor, gun depression, and stabilization with gun stats.
🔗 Related Tools
Penetration Calculator
Calculate if your gun can penetrate enemy armor at specific angles and distances.
Shell Damage Estimator
Estimate post-penetration damage, crew casualties, and one-shot kill probability.
Tank Stats Database
Browse complete statistics for all War Thunder ground vehicles by nation and BR.