Myanmar (also called Burma) is drained by a network of rivers that flow from highlands and plateaus into the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. The country's waterways shape its landscape, economy and culture. For orientation on the country and its waterways see Myanmar.

Major river basins

  • Bay of Bengal / Gulf of Martaban drainage
    • Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady)
      • N'mai River (N'mai Hka) — one of the two headstreams that form the Irrawaddy
      • Mali River (Mali Hka) — the other headstream joining N'mai to create the Irrawaddy
      • Chindwin — principal tributary of the Irrawaddy
        • Uyu — a significant tributary of the Chindwin
      • Myitnge (Dokhtawaddy) — joins the Irrawaddy in the central basin
    • Sittang (Sittaung) — flows to the Gulf of Martaban east of the Irrawaddy delta
    • Kaladan — a major river on the western coast, draining into the Bay of Bengal
    • Bago (Pegu) — feeds the Yangon/Rangoon estuary region
  • Andaman Sea drainage
    • Salween (Thanlwin) — an east-flowing river that runs along eastern Myanmar toward the Andaman Sea
    • Tanintharyi (Tenasserim) — drains the narrow southern peninsula into the Andaman Sea
  • Other coastal and upland streams
    • Smaller rivers and seasonal streams flow along the Rakhine coast and the Tenasserim range and into local estuaries.

Notes on tributaries: many larger rivers receive numerous mountainous and plateau streams; these tributaries are often seasonal or strongly monsoon-influenced, and are commonly listed indented beneath the river they join.

The Irrawaddy is Myanmar's longest and most centrally important river: it is formed where the N'mai and Mali meet and then flows south to form a wide, fertile delta. The Chindwin is the Irrawaddy's largest tributary and brings runoff from the west. The Salween (Thanlwin) crosses long stretches of varied terrain and is notable for its transboundary character, draining areas near China and forming sections of the border area with Thailand.

Historically and economically these rivers have supported navigation, agriculture (notably rice in the Irrawaddy delta), fishing and local trade. Major urban ports and cities grew on their banks because of access to inland and coastal shipping routes. In recent decades, rivers also have been the focus of hydropower and irrigation projects, some of which have generated environmental and social debates.

Ecologically, Myanmar's river systems sustain wetlands, mangrove forests in the delta and diverse freshwater habitats. Seasonal monsoon rains produce large variations in flow: high-water periods can cause flooding in lowlands, while dry seasons reduce navigation on smaller streams. Many rivers are shared with neighboring countries or rise in border highlands, making international cooperation important for water management and conservation.

For lists organized by basin, major tributary and local name, this article arranges principal rivers by their drainage destination and indents notable affluents beneath the larger streams. Further reading and specific river articles can be found via the country and river links above.