Burj Khalifa vs Jeddah Tower: Height, Status and Outlook
Updated October 27, 2026
Verdict
Today the Burj Khalifa is taller: 828 m against about 466 m reached by Jeddah Tower in September 2026, as reported by Gulf Business. Jeddah Tower is designed to exceed 1,000 m, which would make it taller by roughly 180 m, but it is under construction and its developer's own target has already moved to late 2028. Until it is finished and certified, the Burj Khalifa holds the record.
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai has been the tallest building in the world since it opened on 4 January 2010, at 828 m to its architectural top. Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, once called Kingdom Tower, is being built to take that title: its designers say it will pass 1,000 m. As of October 2026 it is not finished. Construction started in 2013, stopped for years, restarted in January 2025 and was reported at its 116th floor, about 466 m, in September 2026. This page compares the two on height, construction status and what has been reported about the future, and explains what you can actually visit today. Heights come from Wikipedia and the project's engineers, named in each section. For the full height story of the Burj, see how tall is the Burj Khalifa.
| Criterion | Burj Khalifa (Dubai) | Jeddah Tower (Jeddah, under construction) |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 828 m architectural, 829.8 m to the tip | Designed to exceed 1,000 m (Wikipedia: at least 1,008 m) |
| Status (October 2026) | Complete, open since 4 January 2010 | Under construction: 116th floor, about 466 m, reported in September 2026 |
| Floors | 163 (154 usable plus 9 in the spire) | 157 planned floors, per the developer in 2026 reporting |
| Construction began | 6 January 2004 | 1 April 2013 |
| Highest visitor deck | Level 148 at 555 m; The Lounge at 585 m | Planned sky terrace at about 630 m |
| Architect | Adrian Smith at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill | Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture |
| Can you visit? | Yes, decks from $51 | No, not open |
Height today and planned
The Burj Khalifa measures 828 m to its architectural top and 829.8 m to the tip of its spire (Wikipedia). Jeddah Tower's final height has not been published exactly: Wikipedia gives at least 1,008 m, and its structural engineer, Thornton Tomasetti, says it is designed to exceed 1,000 m (3,280 ft). If it reaches about 1,008 m, it will be some 180 m taller than the Burj Khalifa and the first building to pass one kilometre. Both towers share a designer. Adrian Smith led the Burj Khalifa design at SOM and later founded Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, which designed Jeddah Tower. More on the Burj's numbers: Burj Khalifa facts.
Status of construction
Work on Jeddah Tower began on 1 April 2013. According to Wikipedia, structural concrete work stopped in January 2018 with the tower about one-third built, and it stalled again in 2020 during COVID-19. Construction officially restarted in January 2025. Thornton Tomasetti reported 100 floors, about 400 m, on 20 April 2026. Gulf Business reported on 5 October 2026 that the tower had reached its 116th floor, around 466 m, in September, quoting Fabien Toscano, chief executive of the developer, Jeddah Economic Company. That left 41 of 157 planned floors to build. Later reports, including Wikipedia, mention the 118th floor in October 2026. Figures move every few weeks.
Will Jeddah Tower beat it?
On its design height, yes, once it is complete. When it will be complete is not settled. Wikipedia's infobox lists an estimated completion of August 2028; in the Gulf Business report of 5 October 2026 the developer's chief executive said the target is now late 2028, citing rising procurement and construction costs. A target is not a date: the project has already stopped twice. The record also changes only when a building is finished. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) counts a building in its rankings when it is completed, which is why the Burj Khalifa will remain the tallest building on its list until then.
What you can visit now
Jeddah Tower has no public decks yet; Wikipedia lists a planned sky terrace at about 630 m. The Burj Khalifa has three. Levels 124 and 125, at 452 m, are the standard At the Top visit, from $51 per person on 27 October 2026 (AED 189 at 1 USD = 3.6725 AED). Level 148, at 555 m, comes with skip-the-line access and a lounge, from $109. The Lounge on levels 152 to 154, at 585 m, is the highest. If you want to stand in the tallest building on Earth while it still holds the title, the next few years are the time. Compare the decks in Burj Khalifa 124 vs 148.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jeddah Tower taller than the Burj Khalifa?
Not yet. In September 2026 it reached about 466 m (116th floor, per Gulf Business). The Burj Khalifa is 828 m. Jeddah Tower is designed to exceed 1,000 m when finished.
When will Jeddah Tower be finished?
No firm date exists. In October 2026 the developer's chief executive said the target is late 2028, later than the August 2028 date listed earlier. The project has stopped twice before.
How much taller will Jeddah Tower be?
At the at-least-1,008 m given by Wikipedia, about 180 m taller than the Burj Khalifa's 828 m. The exact final height has not been published.
Is Kingdom Tower the same as Jeddah Tower?
Yes. Kingdom Tower was its earlier name. It is being built in Jeddah by Jeddah Economic Company.
Did the same architect design both?
Adrian Smith designed both: the Burj Khalifa while at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and Jeddah Tower with his later firm, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture.
Sources