The Franco-Prussian War

239,000

disputed broad estimate

The 239,000 display allocation is approximate and disputed. It combines combat, disease, siege-related civilian deaths, and deaths during suppression of the Paris Commune; categories and estimates differ sharply.

Each dot below represents 1,000 human lives. Scroll to watch the scale unfold.

Military Dead

Working allocation: 182,000 soldiers killed in combat, from wounds, or from disease. Each = 1,000 lives.

France (Second Empire / Third Republic) — 138,000 military dead

German States (Prussia and Allies) — 44,000 military dead

Civilian Dead

57,000 civilians killed — from violence, famine, disease, and displacement. Wars are not fought only by soldiers.

Civilian dead — 57,000

Deadliest Engagements

Siege of Paris (131 days)67,000

incl. 47,000 civilians

Battle of Sedan38,000

Battle of Gravelotte–St. Privat32,000

Siege of Metz (70 days)32,000

incl. 2,000 civilians

Paris Commune — Bloody Week30,000

incl. 25,000 civilians

Battle of Wörth20,000

For Perspective

How Franco-Prussian War's dead compare to other conflicts and events.

Franco-Prussian War — working total239,000

Franco-Prussian War Total257,000

Crimean War500,000

American Civil War620,000

Austro-Prussian War 186645,000

World War I (annual avg)2,000,000

Milestones of Loss

44,000 dead

44,000 — total German military dead; a fraction of French losses, reflecting German tactical dominance

138,000 dead

138,000 — French military dead; 316,000 more captured in the two great surrenders at Sedan and Metz

180,000 dead

180,000 — total war dead; the France–Germany border this created would cost 10 million lives forty-four years later

Figures are working historical estimates and vary across sources. Labels identify totals that are reported, disputed, or unknown; numerical allocations may be retained for comparison without implying exact knowledge. Each number represents human lives, not false precision.