Last updated: October 2026 Β· 3 min read
All 14 of the world’s mountains taller than 8,000 metres are in the Himalaya and Karakoram ranges of Asia. Here are the top 10.
The 10 highest mountains
| Rank | Mountain | Height | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Everest | 8,848.86 m | Nepal-China (Tibet) |
| 2 | K2 | 8,611 m | Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan and China |
| 3 | Kangchenjunga | 8,586 m | Nepal-India (Sikkim) |
| 4 | Lhotse | 8,516 m | Nepal-China |
| 5 | Makalu | 8,485 m | Nepal-China |
| 6 | Cho Oyu | 8,188 m | Nepal-China |
| 7 | Dhaulagiri I | 8,167 m | Nepal |
| 8 | Manaslu | 8,163 m | Nepal |
| 9 | Nanga Parbat | 8,126 m | Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan |
| 10 | Annapurna I | 8,091 m | Nepal |
India’s highest peak
Kangchenjunga (8,586 m) on the Sikkim-Nepal border is the highest peak in India and the third highest in the world. India also claims K2 as part of Ladakh, though it lies in Pakistan-administered territory. Nanda Devi (7,816 m) is the highest peak located entirely within India.Fun facts
- Everest’s height was announced as 8,848.86 m by Nepal and China in 2020.
- K2 is called the “Savage Mountain” because it is so difficult to climb.
- Annapurna I has historically had one of the highest fatality rates among climbers.
- Measured from base to peak, Mauna Kea in Hawaii is taller than Everest, though most of it is underwater.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest mountain in the world?
Mount Everest, 8,848.86 metres above sea level.
How many mountains are above 8,000 metres?
Fourteen, all in the Himalaya and Karakoram.
Which is the second highest mountain?
K2, at 8,611 metres.
Keep exploring
Facts are based on widely accepted official, scientific and historical sources at the time of writing. Spotted something that needs updating? Let us know.
