Top 10 Tallest Towers in the World (2025)
Here’s an accurate and up-to-date ranking of the tallest towers in the world as of 2025. These architectural marvels dominate skylines across continents and embody remarkable feats of engineering.
1. Burj Khalifa – Dubai, UAE
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Height: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) (architectural)
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Completed: 2010
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Notable: The tallest structure in the world. Features residential units, corporate offices, hotels, including the Armani Hotel, and multiple observation decks.
2. Merdeka 118 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Height: 678.9 m (2,227 ft)
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Completed: Late 2023; opened January 2024
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Notable: The tallest building in Southeast Asia and the second tallest overall, housing a mix of public spaces, offices, and a high-end hotel.
3. Shanghai Tower – Shanghai, China
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Height: 632 m (2,073 ft)
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Completed: 2015
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Notable: Tallest building in China and the third tallest globally. Renowned for its LEED Platinum certification and record-breaking elevators.
4. Makkah Royal Clock Tower (Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower) – Mecca, Saudi Arabia
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Height: 601 m (1,972 ft)
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Completed: 2012
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Notable: Holds the title as the tallest clock tower in the world, with hotel and residential facilities catering to pilgrims.
5. Ping An Finance Centre – Shenzhen, China
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Height: 599 m (1,965 ft)
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Completed: 2017
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Notable: The tallest all-office tower globally, serving as a major business hub in Guangdong Province.
6. Goldin Finance 117 – Tianjin, China
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Height: ~597 m (1,957 ft)
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Status: Completed (Date varies), often ranked among the tallest
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Notable: Offices, hotel, and observation decks attract business and tourism alike.
7. Lotte World Tower – Seoul, South Korea
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Height: 556 m (1,823 ft)
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Completed: 2017
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Notable: The tallest building in South Korea, featuring retail, offices, residences, hotel, and observation deck.
8. One World Trade Center – New York City, USA
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Height: 546 m (1,776 ft)
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Completed: 2014
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Notable: The tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, built as a symbol of resilience.
9. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre – Guangzhou, China
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Height: Approximately 530 m (1,740 ft)
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Completed: 2016
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Notable: Mixed-use skyscraper combining offices, residences, and luxury hotel space. Often tied in ranking with Tianjin’s CTF Centre.
10. Tianjin CTF Finance Centre – Tianjin, China
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Height: Approximately 530 m (1,740 ft)
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Completed: 2019
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Notable: Another prominent mixed-use tower, nearly equivalent in height to its Guangzhou counterpart.
Quick Comparison Table
Rank | Tower | Location | Height (m / ft) | Year Completed |
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1 | Burj Khalifa | Dubai, UAE | 829.8 m / 2,722 ft | 2010 |
2 | Merdeka 118 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 678.9 m / 2,227 ft | 2023–2024 |
3 | Shanghai Tower | Shanghai, China | 632 m / 2,073 ft | 2015 |
4 | Makkah Royal Clock Tower | Mecca, Saudi Arabia | 601 m / 1,972 ft | 2012 |
5 | Ping An Finance Centre | Shenzhen, China | 599 m / 1,965 ft | 2017 |
6 | Goldin Finance 117 | Tianjin, China | ~597 m / 1,957 ft | 2010s |
7 | Lotte World Tower | Seoul, South Korea | 556 m / 1,823 ft | 2017 |
8 | One World Trade Center | New York, USA | 546 m / 1,776 ft | 2014 |
9 | Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre | Guangzhou, China | ~530 m / 1,740 ft | 2016 |
10 | Tianjin CTF Finance Centre | Tianjin, China | ~530 m / 1,740 ft | 2019 |
Final Thoughts
These colossal towers are not just architectural achievements, they’re modern landmarks that shape city skylines and cultural identities. From the automotive shimmer of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa to the cultural significance of Mecca’s Clock Tower, each structure tells a unique story of design, ambition, and technological progress.