KV-1

KV-1 stats at a glance

The KV-1 has 672 hit points , 75mm of frontal hull armor , and a top speed of 34 km/h. Its strongest gun configuration deals 450 damage per shot with 61mm of armor penetration , giving it a theoretical maximum DPM of 2367. The vehicle can equip 4 different gun configurations, allowing for varied playstyles.

Hull & survivability

The front-to-side armor ratio is 1.0:1. Side armor is relatively comparable to the front, meaning the KV-1 can absorb some side hits in close-quarters fighting.

Mobility

Forward-to-reverse speed ratio is 3.4:1. Reverse speed is limited, so pre-aim and exposure timing matter more on this vehicle.

Camouflage

Available guns (4)

With the top-tier gun, the KV-1 can theoretically output up to 2367 damage per minute at sustained fire (shot damage × rounds per minute). Lower-tier guns generally trade DPM for faster reload or better handling — see the full gun table above.

How KV-1 compares to its peers

There are 17 tier 5 heavy tanks in WoT, including the KV-1. Its 672 HP places it in the top 87% for hit points among same-tier heavy tanks (peer average: 711). Frontal hull armor of 75mm ranks in the top 75% for the class (peer average: 96mm). Top forward speed of 34 km/h is faster than 50% of peer vehicles in this tier and class. The strongest gun deals 450 damage per shot, higher than 100% of comparable vehicles. Best penetration of 61mm puts it in the top 94% for armor-piercing capability in its class.

Direct comparisons

• KV-1 vs T1 Heavy — tier 5 heavy tank from USA
• KV-1 vs T14 — tier 5 heavy tank from USA
• KV-1 vs T14 (tr.) — tier 5 heavy tank from USA
• See full tier 5 heavy tank tier list — all 17 vehicles ranked

Related tier 5 heavy tanks

• BDR G1 B — France
• Churchill I — UK
• Churchill III — USSR, premium
• Excelsior — UK, premium
• KV-1SA — USSR, premium
• KV-1 shielded — USSR, premium
• KV-220-2 Beta Test — USSR, premium
• KV-220-2 — USSR, premium
• All USSR tanks · Tier 5 premium tanks

Understand the stats

Want a deeper grasp of what these numbers actually mean in battle? Read the glossary:

• What is DPM — the most important offensive metric
• Alpha damage — single-shot damage and what it means for playstyle
• Penetration — and how it interacts with armor angling
• Hull-down position — the king of defensive plays
• View range — how spotting actually works

About this vehicle

Development started at the end of 1938. A prototype was produced in August 1939. The vehicle first saw combat in December 1939 at the Mannerheim Line. The tank was mass-produced from March 1940 through August 1942, with a total of 2,769 vehicles manufactured.

Frequently asked