The world’s tallest buildings are icons of ambition and engineering, reshaping city skylines from East Asia to the Gulf and North America. Advances in high-strength concrete, wind-resistant structural systems and high-speed elevators have enabled unprecedented vertical growth, while mixed-use programs turn supertalls into dense urban ecosystems that combine observation decks, luxury hotels, offices, residences and retail.
This list ranks completed buildings by official architectural height—spires included, antennae and temporary structures excluded—using data from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).
1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai — 828 m
A needle-like tower and the planet’s tallest building since 2010, Burj Khalifa anchors Downtown Dubai and its district of malls, residences and fountains, serving as a global benchmark for vertical scale.
2. Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur — 679 m
Completed in 2023, this faceted tower is Southeast Asia’s tallest structure. Named for Malaysia’s independence, it ties national symbolism to contemporary architecture and reshapes Kuala Lumpur’s skyline.
3. Shanghai Tower, Shanghai — 632 m
With a twisting glass façade, Shanghai Tower houses offices, hotels and observation decks. Its aerodynamic form reduces wind loads and energy use, highlighting more sustainable supertall design.
4. Makkah Royal Clock Tower, Mecca — 601 m
Overlooking Islam’s holiest site, this clock-topped tower is part of a large pilgrimage complex, accommodating vast numbers of worshippers and visitors during Hajj and other peak seasons.
5. Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen — 599 m
A sleek commercial skyscraper in Shenzhen’s financial district, the Ping An Finance Center symbolizes the city’s shift from manufacturing to a global tech and innovation hub.
6. Lotte World Tower, Seoul — 555 m
Tapering gracefully skyward, Lotte World Tower mixes retail, offices, residences and one of the world’s highest observation decks, becoming a defining landmark of Seoul’s modern skyline.
7. One World Trade Center, New York City — 541 m
Rising from the rebuilt World Trade Center site, One World Trade Center is both a memorial and a modern landmark. Its symbolic height—1,776 feet—references the year of American independence.
8. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, Guangzhou — 530 m
A vertical city of offices, residences and a luxury hotel, this tower features some of the fastest elevators in the world and is part of a cluster reshaping Guangzhou’s Pearl River skyline.
9. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Tianjin — 530 m
Twin in height to its Guangzhou counterpart, this slender tower anchors Tianjin’s growing financial core. Its curved glass exterior minimizes wind resistance while maximizing interior efficiency.
10. CITIC Tower (China Zun), Beijing — 528 m
Nicknamed “China Zun” for its vessel-inspired silhouette, CITIC Tower blends traditional form with contemporary engineering and stands as Beijing’s tallest building, reflecting the capital’s vertical ambitions.
