The world’s tallest buildings have always been symbols of ambition, being feats of engineering that reshape city skylines and redefine what is possible in the built environment. These towers chart 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 upwards travelers and locals alike. Even as new contenders emerge, the buildings on this list remain defining landmarks of their cities, instantly recognizable on postcards, movie backdrops, and flight approaches. For travelers, they not only offer panoramic views, but also a way to read the aspirations of the places below. Using globally verified height data, this list ranks the world’s tallest buildings by their official architectural height.
Source and methodology
Heights and ratings are based on data from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), the international authority that standardizes skyscraper measurements. The buildings are classified by architectural height, which includes spiers but excludes antennas and temporary structures. Only completed buildings are included.
The tallest buildings in the world.
1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai: 828 m
Undisputedly the tallest building on Earth as of 2010, this spire-shaped tower dominates Dubai’s skyline and remains the world’s landmark on a vertical scale. Designed as the centerpiece of downtown Dubai, it houses a district of shopping malls, residences and fountains that helped redefine the city’s global image.
2. Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur: 679 m
