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The tallest buildings in the world, as they were built

From the Empire State Building to Burj Khalifa: skyscrapers enter the race the year they're finished.

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What the data shows

  • In 2023, Burj Khalifa ranks #1 with 828 m, ahead of Merdeka 118 (679 m) and Shanghai Tower (632 m).
  • Back in 1930, Chrysler Building was #1 with 319 m.
  • The top spot changed hands 5 times, first to Empire State Building in 1931, most recently to Burj Khalifa in 2010.

About this chart

Each building joins the race in the year it was completed, at its official architectural height from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. The Empire State Building held the title for four decades; Burj Khalifa has held it since 2010 by a huge margin.

Architectural height includes spires but not antennas.

The data

Source: CTBUH Skyscraper Center, architectural height in metres; each building enters in its completion year. Retrieved November 4, 2026. Jeddah Tower is still under construction and not included.

The world's tallest buildings, Height in metres, by year completed, 1930–2023
Date🇺🇸 Chrysler Building🇺🇸 Empire State Building🇺🇸 Willis Tower🇲🇾 Petronas Towers🇹🇼 Taipei 101🇦🇪 Burj Khalifa🇸🇦 Makkah Royal Clock Tower🇺🇸 One World Trade Center🇨🇳 Shanghai Tower🇨🇳 Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre🇨🇳 Ping An Finance Center🇰🇷 Lotte World Tower🇨🇳 CITIC Tower (China Zun)🇨🇳 Tianjin CTF Finance Centre🇲🇾 Merdeka 118
1930319 m
1931319 m381 m
1974319 m381 m442 m
1998319 m381 m442 m452 m
2004319 m381 m442 m452 m508 m
2010319 m381 m442 m452 m508 m828 m
2012319 m381 m442 m452 m508 m828 m601 m
2014319 m381 m442 m452 m508 m828 m601 m541 m
2015319 m381 m442 m452 m508 m828 m601 m541 m632 m
2016319 m381 m442 m452 m508 m828 m601 m541 m632 m530 m
2017319 m381 m442 m452 m508 m828 m601 m541 m632 m530 m599 m555 m
2018319 m381 m442 m452 m508 m828 m601 m541 m632 m530 m599 m555 m528 m
2019319 m381 m442 m452 m508 m828 m601 m541 m632 m530 m599 m555 m528 m530 m
2023319 m381 m442 m452 m508 m828 m601 m541 m632 m530 m599 m555 m528 m530 m679 m

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Frequently asked questions

What is the tallest building in the world?

In 2023, Burj Khalifa ranks #1 with 828 m, followed by Merdeka 118 (679 m) and Shanghai Tower (632 m). Source: CTBUH Skyscraper Center, architectural height in metres; each building enters in its completion year.

Where does this data come from?

CTBUH Skyscraper Center, architectural height in metres; each building enters in its completion year. Retrieved November 4, 2026. Jeddah Tower is still under construction and not included. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

Can I turn this chart into a video?

Yes. Open it in the editor, change the title, theme, colors or format (9:16 for Reels and TikTok, 16:9 for YouTube), and export an MP4. Free exports are 720p with a small watermark; Pro ($11.99/month) removes it and adds 1080p, 4K and 60 fps.

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