We all know that Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. It stands at an elevation of 8,848.86 meters (29,032 feet) above mean sea level and is the highest of the eight-thousanders, a group of mountains with elevations exceeding 8,000 meters. There are 14 universally recognized eight-thousanders in the world, and all of them are located in the Himalayas or the Karakoram range. Let’s take a look at the list of all 14 eight-thousanders, the highest mountains in the world.
The 14 Highest Mountains in the World
| Rank | Mountain | Elevation in meters (feet) | Mountain Range | Country/Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Everest | 8.848.86 m (29,032 ft) | Himalayas (Mahalangur Himal) | Nepal, China |
| 2 | K2 | 8,611 m (28,251 ft) | Karakoram (Baltoro Muztagh) | China and Gilgit-Baltistan, which is administered by Pakistan, in the disputed Kashmir region |
| 3 | Kanchenjunga (Kangchenjunga) | 8,586 m (28,169 ft) | Himalayas (Kangchenjunga Himal) | Nepal, India |
| 4 | Lhotse | 8,516 m (27,940 ft) | Himalayas (Mahalangur Himal) | Nepal, China |
| 5 | Makalu | 8,485 m (27,838 ft) | Himalayas (Mahalangur Himal) | Nepal, China |
| 6 | Cho Oyu | 8,188 m (26,864 ft) | Himalayas (Mahalangur Himal) | Nepal, China |
| 7 | Dhaulagiri I | 8,167 m (26,795 ft) | Himalayas (Dhaulagiri Himal) | Nepal |
| 8 | Manaslu | 8,163 m (26,781 ft) | Himalayas (Mansiri Himal) | Nepal |
| 9 | Nanga Parbat | 8,126 m (26,660 ft) | Himalayas | Gilgit-Baltistan, administered by Pakistan, in the disputed Kashmir region |
| 10 | Annapurna I | 8,091 m (26,545 ft) | Himalayas (Annapurna Himal) | Nepal |
| 11 | Gasherbrum I | 8,080 m (26,509 ft) | Karakoram (Baltoro Muztagh) | China and Gilgit-Baltistan, which is administered by Pakistan, in the disputed Kashmir region |
| 12 | Broad Peak | 8,051 m (26,414 ft) | Karakoram (Baltoro Muztagh) | China and Gilgit-Baltistan, which is administered by Pakistan, in the disputed Kashmir region |
| 13 | Gasherbrum II | 8,035 m (26,362 ft) | Karakoram (Baltoro Muztagh) | China and Gilgit-Baltistan, which is administered by Pakistan, in the disputed Kashmir region |
| 14 | Shishapangma | 8,027 m (26,335 ft) | Himalayas (Jugal Himal) | China |
Did You Know?
Mount Everest is known as Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolungma (or Qomolangma) in Tibetan.
(Also read: Major mountain ranges in the world)
Death Zone
In mountaineering, the “Death Zone” refers to altitudes above approximately 8,000 m (26,247 ft) where the atmospheric pressure is extremely low, resulting in significantly reduced oxygen availability. At these elevations, the human body cannot adequately acclimatize or maintain normal physiological functions for extended periods. Prolonged exposure can lead to severe altitude related illnesses, impaired judgment, loss of coordination, and potentially death. Climbers attempting to summit mountains above 8,000 meters therefore generally spend as little time as possible in the Death Zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first person to climb all 14 Eight-Thousanders?
​Reinhold Messner was the first person to successfully summit all 14 eight-thousander peaks. The legendary Italian mountaineer completed this historic achievement between 1970 and 1986, remarkably doing so entirely without supplemental oxygen.
​Which 8,000-meter peak is considered the deadliest?
Annapurna I is often considered the deadliest of the world’s 14 eight-thousanders based on its historically high climber fatality rate. The mountain has steep and technically difficult terrain, along with a significant risk of avalanches. However, fatality rates can change over time as climbing techniques, equipment, weather forecasting, and rescue capabilities improve.
How many eight-thousanders are in Nepal?
Nepal is home to eight of the 14 eight-thousanders (Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri I, Manaslu, and Annapurna I).
Which 8,000-meter peak was climbed first?
Annapurna I was the first of the 14 eight-thousanders to be successfully climbed. Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal reached its summit on June 3, 1950.
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