The tallest buildings in the world have always been symbols of ambition, being engineering feats that reshape city skylines and redefine what’s possible in the built environment. These towers trace a geography of 21st-century ambition, stretching from East Asia to the Gulf and North America. Advances in high-strength concrete, wind-resistant structural systems, and high-speed elevators have made vertical growth more feasible than ever, while mixed-use programming ensures that supertall buildings function as dense urban ecosystems rather than isolated monuments. Observation decks, luxury hotels, offices, residences, and retail now coexist within single structures, drawing both travellers and locals upward. Even as new contenders emerge, the buildings on this list remain defining landmarks of their cities, instantly recognisable on postcards, film backdrops, and flight approaches. For travellers, they offer not just sweeping views but a way to read the aspirations of the places below. Using globally verified height data, this list ranks the tallest buildings in the world by their official architectural height.
Source and methodology
Heights and rankings are based on data from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), the international authority that standardises skyscraper measurements. Buildings are ranked by architectural height, which includes spires but excludes antennae and temporary structures. Only completed buildings are included.
The tallest buildings in the world
1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai: 828m
The undisputed tallest building on Earth since 2010, this needle-like tower dominates Dubai’s skyline and remains the global benchmark for vertical scale. Designed as the centrepiece of Downtown Dubai, it anchors a district of malls, residences, and fountains that helped redefine the city’s global image.
2. Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur: 679m
Completed in 2023, this faceted tower reshaped Kuala Lumpur’s horizon and now stands as the tallest structure in Southeast Asia. Its name references Malaysia’s declaration of independence nearby, tying national symbolism to contemporary architectural ambition.
3. Shanghai Tower, Shanghai: 632m
Defined by its twisting glass façade, Shanghai Tower reflects China’s rapid urban rise and houses offices, hotels, and observation decks within its spiralling form. The aerodynamic design reduces wind load and energy use, signalling a shift toward more sustainable supertall construction.
4. Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca: 601m
Overlooking Islam’s holiest site, this monumental clock-topped tower combines religious significance with supertall scale. Part of a vast pilgrimage complex, it accommodates thousands of worshippers and visitors during peak Hajj seasons.
5. Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen: 599m
A sleek commercial skyscraper anchoring Shenzhen’s financial district, symbolising the city’s transformation into a global tech hub. Its height and prominence mirror Shenzhen’s rapid evolution from manufacturing zone to innovation powerhouse.
6. Lotte World Tower, Seoul: 555m
Tapering gracefully into the sky, this mixed-use tower blends retail, offices, residences, and one of the world’s highest observation decks. The structure has become a defining landmark of Seoul’s modern skyline and a major draw for visitors.
7. One World Trade Center, New York City: 541m
Rising from the rebuilt World Trade Center site, this tower is both a memorial and a modern landmark on Manhattan’s skyline. Its symbolic height of 1,776 feet references the year of American independence, embedding history within architecture.
8. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou: 530m
A vertical city of offices, residences, and a luxury hotel, designed for density and speed with some of the world’s fastest elevators. The tower forms part of a cluster of supertalls redefining Guangzhou’s Pearl River skyline.
9. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin: 530m
Twin in height to its Guangzhou counterpart, this slender tower anchors Tianjin’s expanding financial core. Its curved glass exterior is engineered to minimise wind resistance while maximising interior efficiency.
10. CITIC Tower, Beijing: 528m
Nicknamed “China Zun” for its vessel-inspired silhouette, this skyscraper blends traditional form with contemporary engineering. It now stands as the tallest building in Beijing, marking the capital’s growing vertical ambitions.
