Last updated: October 2026 Β· 3 min read
Measuring a river is tricky because sources and mouths are hard to pin down, so lengths vary between sources. Here are the world’s 10 longest rivers using commonly cited figures.
The 10 longest rivers
| Rank | River | Approx. length | Continent | Flows through |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nile | 6,650 km | Africa | Egypt, Sudan, Uganda and 8 others |
| 2 | Amazon | 6,400 km | South America | Brazil, Peru, Colombia |
| 3 | Yangtze (Chang Jiang) | 6,300 km | Asia | China |
| 4 | Mississippi-Missouri | 6,275 km | North America | USA |
| 5 | Yenisei-Angara | 5,540 km | Asia | Russia, Mongolia |
| 6 | Yellow River (Huang He) | 5,464 km | Asia | China |
| 7 | Ob-Irtysh | 5,410 km | Asia | Russia, Kazakhstan, China |
| 8 | ParanΓ‘ | 4,880 km | South America | Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina |
| 9 | Congo | 4,700 km | Africa | DR Congo and neighbours |
| 10 | Amur-Argun | 4,444 km | Asia | Russia, China |
Nile or Amazon: which is longer?
The Nile is traditionally listed as the longest. Some Brazilian and Peruvian studies argue the Amazon is longer depending on which source stream is measured. The Amazon is clearly the largest by water volume, carrying about a fifth of all river water entering the oceans.
Where do Indian rivers rank?
The Brahmaputra (about 2,900 km) and Indus (about 3,180 km) are longer than the Ganga in total length but flow through several countries. The Ganga (about 2,525 km) is the longest river flowing mainly within India.
Quick facts
- The Nile flows north into the Mediterranean Sea.
- The Amazon has no bridges across its main stem.
- The Yangtze has the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydropower plant by capacity.
- The Yellow River is called “China’s Sorrow” because of deadly floods.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the longest river in the world?
The Nile, about 6,650 km, by most traditional measurements.
Which is the longest river in Asia?
The Yangtze in China, about 6,300 km.
Which river carries the most water?
The Amazon, by a huge margin.
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.
