Highest mountains in the world – the eight-thousanders

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 ft) above mean sea level and is the leader of the group of eight-thousanders, mountains having elevations greater than 8,000 meters. There are 14 peaks in the world having an elevation of over 8,000 meters. Unsurprisingly, they all are present in the Himalayas or the Karakoram range.

Let’s take a look at the list of all eight-thousanders, the highest mountains in the world.

Highest mountains in the world

NameElevation in meters (feet)Mountain RangeCountry
1Mount Everest8.848.86 m (29,032 ft)Himalayas (Mahalangur Himal)Nepal, China
2K28,611 m (28,251 ft)Karakoram (Baltoro Muztagh)Disputed (India, Pakistan, and China)
3Kanchenjunga8,586 m (28,169 ft)Himalayas (Kanchenjunga Himal)India, Nepal
4Lhotse8,516 m (27,940 ft)Himalayas (Mahalangur Himal)Nepal, China
5Makalu8,485 m (27,838 ft)Himalayas (Mahalangur Himal)Nepal, China
6Cho Oyu8,188 m (26,864 ft)Himalayas (Mahalangur Himal)Nepal, China
7Dhaulagiri I8,167 m (26,795 ft)Himalayas (Dhaulagiri Himalayas)Nepal
8Manaslu8,163 m (26,781 ft)Himalayas (Mansiri Himal)Nepal
9Nanga Parbat8,126 m (26,660 ft)HimalayasDisputed (India and Pakistan)
10Annapurna I8,091 m (26,545 ft)Himalayas (Annapurna Himal)Nepal
11Gasherbrum I8,080 m (26,509 ft)Karakoram (Baltoro Muztagh)Disputed (India, Pakistan, and China)
12Broad Peak8,051 m (26,414 ft)Karakoram (Baltoro Muztagh)Disputed (India, Pakistan, and China)
13Gasherbrum II8,035 m (26,362 ft)Karakoram (Baltoro Muztagh)Disputed (India, Pakistan, and China)
14Shishapangma8,027 m (26,335 ft)Himalayas (Jugal Himal)China
An image of the Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world and its nearby peaks
Mount Everest – Image by mingchen J from Pixabay

Interesting facts about the eight-thousanders

  • Reinhold Messner was the first person to climb all the eight-thousanders.
  • Annapurna I was the first mountain on the list of eight-thousanders to be climbed successfully.
  • Annapurna I has the highest fatality rate among the highest mountains in the world.
  • Mount Everest is known as Sagarmatha in the Nepali language and Chomolungma in the Tibetan language.
An image of Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world
Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world

Quick question

Which is the highest mountain in the USA?


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Answer to quick question

Denali in Alaska is the highest mountain in the USA.

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