Ranked: 10 tallest buildings in the world

The Burj Khalifa remains the world’s tallest building, but emerging projects like Jeddah Tower signal a new era of kilometre-high skyscrapers.

The Burj Khalifa has retained its position as the world’s tallest building at 828 metres, according to a latest global ranking highlighting advances in engineering and architecture. The skyline hierarchy remains largely stable, but new developments and resumed mega-projects in 2026 are reshaping future projections for supertall structures.

Merdeka 118 ranks second at 679 metres, followed by Shanghai Tower at 632 metres and Makkah Royal Clock Tower at 601 metres. Other notable entries include the Ping An Finance Center, Lotte World Tower, and One World Trade Center, reflecting a mix of innovation, sustainability, and cultural design influences.

Attention is also turning to the Jeddah Tower, currently under construction and expected to exceed 1,000 metres upon completion. Once finished, it will become the first “kilometric” tower, potentially redefining global rankings and pushing existing skyscrapers down the list.

Here are the top 10 tallest buildings in the world (by height):

1. Burj Khalifa – 828 m
2. Merdeka 118 – 679 m
3. Shanghai Tower – 632 m
4. Makkah Royal Clock Tower – 601 m
5. Ping An Finance Center – 599 m
6. Lotte World Tower – 555 m
7. One World Trade Center – 541 m
8. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre – 530 m
9. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre – 530 m
10. CITIC Tower – 528 m

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