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Longest rivers in the world

The Nile, at 6,650 km, is conventionally ranked the longest river, just 250 km ahead of the Amazon at 6,400 km, though the order is disputed.

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What the data shows

  • Nile ranks #1 with 6,650 km, ahead of Amazon (6,400 km) and Yangtze (6,300 km).

About this chart

The Nile is usually named the longest river at 6,650 km, with the Amazon only 250 km behind at 6,400 km. The Yangtze (6,300 km) is the longest river in Asia and the longest wholly within one country. The Mississippi–Missouri system is next at 6,275 km. Three great Siberian rivers follow: the Yenisey at 5,539 km, the Ob–Irtysh at 5,410 km and the Lena at 4,400 km. The Yellow River is 5,464 km, and the Congo system is the second-longest in Africa at 4,700 km.

River length depends on the source used and on which headwater tributary counts as the start, so figures differ between references. The Nile versus Amazon ranking is the best-known dispute: some surveys put the Amazon first. Britannica lists the Mississippi–Missouri–Red Rock at 5,971 km against the 6,275 km used here, and the Yenisey at 5,540 against 5,539. Systems include their longest named source tributaries.

The data

Source: Wikipedia, List of river systems by length (primary figure shown in each row, from Britannica and other cited sources); cross-checked against Britannica's world's longest rivers table. Retrieved November 4, 2026. River lengths depend on which source and which headwater tributary is used, so figures differ by source. The Nile (6,650 km) is usually ranked longest, but some measurements put the Amazon longer: a 2009 study in the International Journal of Digital Earth concluded the Nile is longer, while other surveys put the Amazon first at up to about 6,992 km. Wikipedia's alternative figures are higher for both (Nile 7,088 km, Amazon 6,575 km). Britannica lists the Mississippi-Missouri-Red Rock at 5,971 km versus 6,275 km used here; Yenisey 5,540 vs 5,539.

Longest rivers in the world, River system length, km, 14 longest, Length (km)
DateNileAmazonYangtzeMississippi–MissouriYenisey–Angara–SelengaYellow RiverOb–IrtyshRío de la Plata–ParanáCongo–LualabaAmur–ArgunLenaMekongMackenzie–Slave–Peace–FinlayNiger
Length (km)6,650 km6,400 km6,300 km6,275 km5,539 km5,464 km5,410 km4,880 km4,700 km4,444 km4,400 km4,350 km4,241 km4,200 km

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Frequently asked questions

What is the longest river in the world?

The Nile, at 6,650 km in this list, is conventionally ranked the longest. The Amazon is 6,400 km, and some measurements place it first, so the ranking depends on how the source is defined.

What is the longest river in the United States?

The Mississippi–Missouri system, at 6,275 km in this list. Britannica gives 5,971 km for the Mississippi–Missouri–Red Rock, so the figure varies by source.

What is the longest river in Asia?

The Yangtze in China, at 6,300 km, which is also the longest river that flows entirely within one country. The Yenisey–Angara–Selenga system is 5,539 km and the Yellow River 5,464 km.

Where does this data come from?

Wikipedia, List of river systems by length (primary figure shown in each row, from Britannica and other cited sources); cross-checked against Britannica's world's longest rivers table. Retrieved November 4, 2026. River lengths depend on which source and which headwater tributary is used, so figures differ by source. The Nile (6,650 km) is usually ranked longest, but some measurements put the Amazon longer: a 2009 study in the International Journal of Digital Earth concluded the Nile is longer, while other surveys put the Amazon first at up to about 6,992 km. Wikipedia's alternative figures are higher for both (Nile 7,088 km, Amazon 6,575 km). Britannica lists the Mississippi-Missouri-Red Rock at 5,971 km versus 6,275 km used here; Yenisey 5,540 vs 5,539. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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