Big Ben is a bell
Strictly speaking, Big Ben is the Great Bell, the heavy hour bell inside the Elizabeth Tower. The tower and the clock have their own names. In everyday speech all three are called Big Ben, and this guide does the same where it is clear what is meant.
The bell weighs 13.7 tonnes. It is 2.2 m high and 2.7 m across, and its note is E. Four smaller quarter bells sit with it, so the tower holds five bells in total. This is an independent guide, not run by the UK Parliament.
The five bells
Figures from the Parliament fact sheets.
| Bell | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Great Bell (Big Ben) | 13.7 t, 2.2 m high, 2.7 m across | E |
| Four quarter bells | 1.1 t, 1.3 t, 1.7 t and 4 t | G sharp, F sharp, E and B |
One Parliament overview names the first quarter bell as G, while the technical page on the bells says G sharp. Both come from Parliament, so a small difference in wording is possible.
Westminster tours and cruises near Big Ben
Walking tours, river cruises and sightseeing trips around Westminster, with live prices and availability.
How the chimes work
The bells do not swing. Hammers on the outside strike them, and the clock mechanism triggers the quarter-hour and hour strikes. The four quarter bells play the Westminster Quarters, the tune most people link with the tower. Big Ben itself strikes the hour.
You hear the tune every quarter hour and the long strokes of the Great Bell on the hour. Parliament Square and Westminster Bridge are easy places to stand close to the tower around the hour.
Why is it called Big Ben?
The origin of the nickname is debated. Two stories are repeated: one says it honors Benjamin Hall, the other the boxer Ben Caunt. This guide treats both as stories and does not choose between them.
The bell that cracked
The present Great Bell was cast in Whitechapel in April 1858. It struck the hour for the first time on 11 July 1859 and cracked again later that year. In 1863 the bell was turned by 90 degrees and the hammer was made smaller, so that it could strike the hours again.
Why the bells stay still
A swinging bell, as in a church, rings when it moves. These bells are fixed, and the sound comes from the hammer. The hammer of the Great Bell weighs 200 kg, and the whole system is triggered by the clock mechanism. That ties the bells closely to the Great Clock, which is why the two pages go together.
Listening and recording
Photography is banned in the whole Elizabeth Tower, and phones and cameras go into a locker before the tour. The sound in the bell chamber is something to hear rather than to record. Afterwards you can take photos in Westminster Hall, which is part of the visit. From the street, the tower is easy to photograph, and the best places are on the views page.
When do the bells ring?
The regular pattern and the exceptions.
Every quarter hour
The clock triggers the quarter bells at the quarter hours and the Great Bell on the hour. Regular operation returned in 2022, after the repairs.
The repairs of 2017 to 2022 →During the repairs
While the tower was under repair, the bells ran in a special mode for occasions such as Remembrance Sunday and New Year's Eve. That was a temporary arrangement and not today's routine.
New Year's Eve
The new year of 2026 was welcomed with the strokes of Big Ben. Check the plans for the turn of 2026 to 2027 closer to the date.
Hear the bells from the inside
The tower tour ends at the bell chamber.
The Elizabeth Tower tour climbs a narrow spiral staircase of 334 steps up to the bell chamber, at a height of up to 62 m, and Big Ben is part of the tour. The chamber is loud and exposed to the weather, and ear protection is provided. Tours from 1 August 2026 cost £55 for adults and £35 for ages 11 to 17. See the tour page for the rules and the booking window.
Big Ben chimes: frequently asked questions
Is Big Ben the tower or the bell?
The bell. The tower is the Elizabeth Tower, named in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. In everyday speech, people use Big Ben for all of it.
How many bells are in the Elizabeth Tower?
Five: the Great Bell and four quarter bells that weigh 1.1, 1.3, 1.7 and 4 tonnes.
How heavy is Big Ben?
The Great Bell weighs 13.7 tonnes. It is 2.2 m high and 2.7 m across. The hammer that strikes it weighs 200 kg.
What is the tune of Big Ben?
Parliament calls the quarter-hour tune the Westminster Quarters. It is played on the four quarter bells.
Does Big Ben ring at New Year?
The turn of the year to 2026 was marked with Big Ben's strokes. For the night of 2026 to 2027, check the announced plans before you go.
Can I hear Big Ben from inside the tower?
Yes, on the tower tour, which ends at the bell chamber. Ear protection is provided because the noise is high. See the tour page for prices and rules.