The 10 Tallest Buildings in the World in 2026

How This Ranking Was Calculated

Before we start counting down, here’s how “tallest” is actually decided.

These numbers come from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the global authority on skyscraper measurement and the standard used when architects, engineers, and entire cities debate who truly holds the crown. Buildings are ranked by architectural height, which includes permanent design features such as spires but excludes antennae and temporary structures, ensuring every tower is measured the same way no matter where it rises. Decorative ambition counts. Temporary add-ons do not.

Only completed buildings make this list, because until construction is finished and officially recognized, a tower is still a contender rather than a record holder. In the world of skyscrapers, the title only changes once the doors officially open.

The Tallest Buildings Ranked 10-1

10. CITIC Tower, Beijing, China

1,731 feet (528 meters) | Completed 2018

Nicknamed China Zun for its shape inspired by an ancient ceremonial vessel, CITIC Tower rises above Beijing’s financial district with a sculpted profile that feels both modern and rooted in tradition. It is currently the tallest building in the Chinese capital.

Beijing is often associated with imperial history, but this tower reflects the city’s financial future.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Tip: Pair skyline photos here with a hutong wander or a Forbidden City visit for a striking old-meets-new contrast.

9. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin, China

1,739 feet (530 meters) | Completed 2019

This slender glass tower anchors Tianjin’s growing skyline and stands exactly as tall as Guangzhou’s CTF Finance Centre. It is elegant, understated, and part of a skyline many travelers overlook.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Tip: Tianjin is an easy high-speed rail ride from Beijing, which makes it a smart skyline add-on without changing flights.

8. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou, China

1,739 feet (530 meters) | Completed 2016

Overlooking the Pearl River, this skyscraper is part of one of Asia’s most impressive skyline scenes. When the lights come on at night, the reflections along the water make it even more dramatic.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Tip: Time your visit for dusk, then linger along the river for skyline reflections that rival Shanghai.

7. One World Trade Center, New York City, USA

1,776 feet (541 meters) | Completed 2014

The tallest building in the United States rises to a symbolic 1,776 feet, a deliberate reference to the year of American independence. It functions as both a commercial office tower and a lasting symbol of resilience and rebuilding after the events of September 11.

The observation deck offers panoramic views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the harbor.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Tip: Walk the Brooklyn Bridge afterward for one of the most iconic skyline perspectives in the world.

6. Lotte World Tower, Seoul, South Korea

1,819 feet (555 meters) | Completed 2017

Rising prominently above the city, Lotte World Tower brings together retail space, offices, residences, and a high-altitude observation deck within one vertical complex. It has become one of the most recognizable symbols of modern Seoul’s skyline.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Tip: Visit before dinner, then head out for Korean barbecue nearby. Sky views and serious food is the right order.

5. Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen, China

1,965 feet (599 meters) | Completed 2017

Ping An Finance Center reflects Shenzhen’s rise as a global technology and financial hub. Its distinctive silhouette has become closely associated with the city’s rapid growth and modern skyline.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Tip: Compare this skyline with Hong Kong for a fascinating study in two very different urban personalities.

4. Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

1,972 feet (601 meters) | Completed 2012

With one of the largest clock faces in the world, this massive tower is part of a larger complex that accommodates millions of pilgrims each year. Its size is impressive not only from an architectural standpoint, but also in terms of its cultural and religious importance.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Tip: Research local access rules carefully before planning a visit. Respect and preparation matter here.

3. Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China

2,073 feet (632 meters) | Completed 2015

Shanghai Tower twists upward with aerodynamic precision. Its design reduces wind load while creating one of the most recognizable silhouettes in global architecture. It stands alongside the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center in Pudong, forming one of the world’s most dramatic skyline clusters.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Tip: If you stand on the Bund (the famous waterfront promenade in Shanghai) at night, the view of the skyline across the river looks dramatic and visually striking, almost like a scene from a movie.

2. Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2,227 feet (679 meters) | Completed 2023

Now the tallest building in Southeast Asia, Merdeka 118 has quickly become the defining feature of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. Its angular, glass exterior is inspired by moments tied to Malaysia’s independence, reflected even in its name, “Merdeka,” which means independence.

The tower represents both the country’s history and its forward-looking ambitions, standing as a modern landmark in the heart of the city.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Tip: Compare this with the Petronas Towers for a compelling skyline evolution moment..

1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2,717 feet (828 meters) | Completed 2010

Still the tallest completed building in the world in 2026, Burj Khalifa dominates the Dubai skyline. It anchors Downtown Dubai and has become one of the most recognizable structures on Earth.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Tip: Reserve sunset time slots early. Golden hour from this height is unforgettable.

The Future Tallest Building: Jeddah Tower, Saudi Arabia

If Burj Khalifa currently holds the crown, Jeddah Tower is the challenger everyone is watching. Designed to rise beyond 3,280 feet, or 1,000 meters, it would become the first building in history to cross the one kilometer mark. That is not just symbolic. It would represent a dramatic leap beyond the current record.

Construction began in 2013 and climbed steadily before pausing in 2018 amid financial and political complications. Work has since resumed, and developers have publicly recommitted to completing the tower. If finished as planned, Jeddah Tower would surpass Burj Khalifa by more than 500 feet, resetting the global height record in a single move. In skyscraper terms, that kind of jump is rare.

Unlike many super tall buildings that rise from dense downtown cores, Jeddah Tower is part of a larger master-planned district designed to reshape the city’s identity. Its ultra-slender, aerodynamic form pushes engineering limits while signaling long-term ambition. For now, it remains a contender rather than a record holder, which is why it does not appear in the official 2026 ranking. But when it opens, the skyline conversation will change overnight.

Other Super Tall Buildings Worth Knowing

Several other skyscrapers come close to cracking the top tier:

• Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan, 1,667 feet (508 meters)


• Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, China, 1,614 feet (492 meters)


• International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, 1,588 feet (484 meters)


• Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan, China, 1,560 feet (476 meters)


• Central Park Tower, New York City, 1,550 feet (472 meters)


• Lakhta Center, Saint Petersburg, 1,516 feet (462 meters)


• Vincom Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City, 1,513 feet (461 meters)


• The Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur, 1,488 feet (454 meters)


• Changsha IFS Tower T1, Changsha, 1,483 feet (452 meters)


• Petronas Tower 1, Kuala Lumpur, 1,483 feet (452 meters)

What Makes a Building “Super Tall” or “Mega Tall”?

In skyscraper terminology, a “supertall” building exceeds 300 meters or 984 feet. A “megatall” building exceeds 600 meters or 1,968 feet. As of 2026, only a small handful of megatall buildings exist worldwide, which makes the top four on this list particularly rare.

More Than Height

Skyscrapers aren’t just about height. They reflect where cities are investing, how their economies are growing, and what leaders and planners believe about the future. Every tower represents years of design, engineering, and capital coming together in one vertical statement about direction and priorities.

When you stand at the base of one of these buildings, you get a real sense of its scale. When you look out from the top, you start to understand how the city fits together, how rivers shape neighborhoods, how highways cut across districts, and how growth spreads over time.

The race upward continues. New towers are rising in Saudi Arabia, China, and across Southeast Asia, and rankings that feel permanent today may not look the same tomorrow. This guide will evolve as skylines do, because in the world of super tall buildings, the view from the top is never final.

Frequently Asked Questions: The World's Tallest Buildings in 2026

What is the tallest building in the world in 2026?

As of 2026, Burj Khalifa in Dubai remains the tallest completed building in the world at 2,717 feet or 828 meters.

Why is Jeddah Tower not number one?

Jeddah Tower is still under construction. This list only includes completed buildings.

How is skyscraper height officially measured?

Height is measured by architectural height, which includes permanent design features like spires but excludes antennas and temporary equipment.

Which country has the most buildings in the top 10?

China has the highest number of buildings in the top 10 ranking in 2026.

Are all of these buildings open to visitors?

Access varies. Many have observation decks, but some function primarily as offices or religious complexes with limited public access.

Will Jeddah Tower be taller than Burj Khalifa?


If completed to its planned height of over 3,280 feet or 1,000 meters, Jeddah Tower would surpass Burj Khalifa by a significant margin.

How many megatall buildings exist in the world in 2026?


As of 2026, only four completed buildings exceed 600 meters or 1,968 feet, placing them in the rare megatall category.

What is the tallest residential building in the world?


Central Park Tower in New York City is currently the tallest primarily residential building at 1,550 feet or 472 meters.