The list of the tallest buildings in the United States ranks high-rise structures by their vertical extent and is commonly consulted by architects, historians and the public. Different publications compile such lists; some rank by architectural height, others by tip or pinnacle height that includes antennas and functional equipment. Rankings may therefore vary depending on the measurement method adopted.

Measurement and ranking

Four common ways to measure and compare skyscrapers are height to architectural top, height to the highest occupied floor, height to tip (which includes antennas and spires), and pinnacle height. The inclusion or exclusion of non-architectural elements like radio masts can change the order of entries. Organizations that maintain tall-building databases explain their criteria so readers can interpret any given list correctly.

Historical development

The title of "tallest building" in the United States has shifted many times since the late 19th century as structural engineering and elevator technology advanced. Early milestones included pioneering steel-framed office towers, then landmark 20th‑century projects such as the Empire State Building and later glass-and-steel towers in Chicago and New York. Recent decades have seen renewed competition, especially for residential and mixed-use supertall towers along the East Coast.

Uses and significance

Tall buildings serve multiple purposes: office space, residential apartments, hotels and mixed-use complexes. Beyond usable area they are civic symbols, drivers of urban density and challenges for construction logistics. Height can be a branding tool for cities and developers but also raises considerations about wind engineering, elevator systems, fire safety and skyline impacts.

Notable examples and distinctions

  • One World Trade Center in New York is widely recognized as the tallest building in the United States when measured to its architectural top.
  • Willis Tower (Chicago) held the national record for several decades and remains among the tallest by roof height and occupied floors.
  • Several recent supertalls in New York combine residential and amenity spaces, shifting which cities dominate by different metrics.
  • Because lists differ by criteria, consult compilers' rules: some lists include antennas and communication masts; others do not.

For a compiled list and current rankings, see the complete listings maintained by tall-building databases and reference sources. External resources provide sortable tables and filtering by measurement type; for example, consult the full list at official height list and additional reference material at reference index.