The height of Mount Everest is one of the most debated topics in geography and mountaineering. Individuals asked for years, "How tall is Mount Everest?" The answer has changed slightly over time due to better technology and natural reasons like earthquakes.
Today, Mount Everest's height is officially 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet). This new elevation of Mount Everest was approved in 2020 by Nepal and China after a joint survey. The previous widely recognized height was 8,848 meters, which was surveyed by India in 1955 and confirmed by a Chinese survey in 1975.
Why the change in the figure? One is the 2015 Nepal earthquake, which raised questions of whether Everest's height had altered. The other is the increased use of GPS and satellite technology, which provides more accurate information than previously.
It is no easy task to measure the world's tallest mountain. Surveyors must battle with freezing temperatures, high winds, and the thin air in order to take accurate measurements. In spite of all of these obstacles, experts are now settled on a figure representing its current height.
This blog will remove any confusion over the height of Mt Everest, on how it gets measured, on previous record heights, and what adjustments may be made to future height. Keep on reading the full blog to find out everything you need to know about the altitude of Mount Everest.
The Northern Face of Mount Everest View from Tibet
What is the Official Height of Mount Everest in 2025?
As of 2025, Mount Everest's official elevation is 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet).
The previous widely used measurement, from a 1954 Indian survey, was 8,848 meters. However, also in 2015, the questioning of whether the mountain's location height changes occurred after the major earthquake in Nepal that year.
To address the height concerns over Mount Everest's height, Nepal and China worked together to re-measure the mountain in a coordinated manner, using GPS and radar. In 2020, both countries announced they had jointly agreed upon Mount Everest's new height at 8,848.86 meters. So, even in 2025, and beyond this, the official and most accurate height of Mount Everest remains unchanged.
History of Mount Everest Height Measurements
Trekkers hiking through rocky terrain with Mount Everest towering in background
The story of the measurements of Mt. Everest began in the early part of the 19th century, with the British Great Trigonometrical Survey of India, which started in 1802. Since Nepal did not allow foreigners into the country during this time, surveyors measured it from the southern Terai region, using large theodolites and triangulated positions. The surveyors in attendance recorded a peak which seemed larger than Kangchenjunga, and Kanchenjunga was supposed to be the tallest mountain in the world.
In 1856, Surveyor General Andrew Waugh, after years of measurements, observations took into factors of light refractions and adjustments announced the first known official height for the mountain, which was referred to at the time as "Peak XV", as 8,840 meters (29,002 ft.). The mountain's official height was the earliest known official height and was derived purely from distant trigonometric calculations. Waugh gave the summit the name Mount Everest in remembrance of his predecessor, Sir George Everest.
Midway through the 20th century, techniques for measuring Mount Everest advanced. The Survey of India conducted a new survey from 1952-1954 and calculated a new height of 8,847.73 meters and mount Everest height in feet is 29,028 feet, using improved triangulation. When a Chinese crew measured Everest again in 1975, they found that it was 8,848.13 meters (29,029.3 ft) high, including the snow cover. This was the height that both countries (Nepal and China) used until this measurement was disputed decades later.
In 1999, an American team placed a GPS unit directly upon Everest’s highest exposed bedrock in order to determine the precise height. They determined the height to be 8,850 meters (29,035 feet), now slightly higher than earlier measurements. However, this figure isn't considered official due to the issues regarding geoid models and measurements.
In 2005, China measured Everest again but decided to publish the rock height only (not snow), I think they went with 8,844.43 meters. So, this would likely lead to another point of confusion, where each country recognizes a different height.
Following the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, scientists worried Mount Everest's height may have been altered. As a result, China and Nepal collaborated to re-measure Everest using ground penetrating radar and GNSS technologies.
In December 2020, Nepal and China jointly declared a new and official height for Mount Everest, which was 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet), following a protracted development and measurement process. This measurement includes the rock base and snow cap, reflects the use of modern technology, and considers other earthquake/natural related possible changes due to shifting tectonic plates. As of 2025, this remains the official height of Mount Everest.
Why Does the Height of Mount Everest Keep on Changing?
Mount Everest and Nuptse peaks glowing golden at sunrise.
The height of Mount Everest is changing constantly due to geological and environmental dynamics. First of all, the tectonic plates continue to move and intersect. The Indian plate still being pushed under the Eurasian plate. This tectonic collision has been occurring consistently for the past 50 million years. As a result the Himalayas and Mount Everest continue to slowly elevate. Researchers have measured the movement of the Indian plate moving north, about 5 centimeters every year, which promotes an elevation of Mount Everest approximately at the rate of 1.4 mm a year! Some estimates suggest it may be elevated even more.
Another significant contributor is something called isostatic rebound. The Arun River and its confluence with the Kosi River started to cover vast portions of rock and dirt from the area surrounding Everest around 89,000 years ago. Each time the river removed material, it relieved some of the weight the Earth's crust was supporting. Because of this, the crust began to rise like how a boat will rise after it unloads cargo. This process has contributed another 15 to 50 meters to Everest's height over thousands of years and presently contributes to about 10% of the annual uplift.
The height of Everest can also decrease suddenly in a sudden event such as an earthquake. For example, a major earthquake in 1934 is believed to have lowered the height of Everest instantly by about 60 centimeters, and thus remove all the height gained through millions of years of uplift. Further, surface erosion caused by wind, rain, and glaciers can wear the top of the mountain down, although this is typically dwarfed by the uplift of tectonic and isostatic processes.
How is Mount Everest’s Height Measured?
Climbers passing through Death Zone of Mt. Everest.
Surveyors and scientists measure the height of Mount Everest using both traditional surveying methods and advanced satellite technology. They do this by continually collecting observations and measurements about the mountain's elevation, snow depth, and gravity in order to calculate a true height above sea level. Here are the main steps they take:
Triangulation and Trigonometry
To determine the height of Everest, surveyors take angular measurements of the mountain from more than one location on the ground with known distances and apply formulas in geometry to obtain the height using the angle of elevation to the summit.
Trigonometric Leveling
The surveyor measures the vertical angle to the summit from the multiple locations, armed with various accuracy standards in instruments like theodolites. This can give an estimate of the height of the summit using trigonometric calculations.
Install GNSS Equipment on Summit
Teams of researchers install Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers and antennas on Everest to collect better satellite signals. These systems will provide precise instantaneous geographic coordinates and height based on global references.
Persistently Leveling and Gravity Surveys
The surveyors take benchmarks starting from sea level - they frequently begin this at the Bay of Bengal, all the way to the base of the mountain. While completing the height of the mountain, they will also measure the local gravity in order to help build a model of the geoid, which is a reference surface for all heights above mean sea level from their converted GNSS data.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
At the summit, they will operate the GPR devices to measure the depth of ice and snow. This provides them with data that will allow them to extrapolate height of the rock summit and height of the ice cap above the summit.
Integrate Data and Model the Geoid
The scientists combine GNSS data, gravity data, and geoid models to derive an accurate elevation for the mountain. This helps account for local variations in gravity and generates a consistent elevation with respect to sea level.
Make Many Measurements and Average Over the Data
They will repeat the measurements at multiple times and locations. This will help to average out random and/or systematic errors from the measurements, and will help to account for natural changes like tectonic uplift and earthquake effects.
Fun Fact About Mount Everest’s Height
Buddhist stupa with prayer flags against snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
Mount Everest increases in height by about 40 to 44 millimeters (about 4 centimeters) each year due to tectonic plates constantly moving.
The height is changing because the Indian tectonic plate is pushing below the Eurasian tectonic plate, which is slowly lifting the Himalayas.
There are two official heights for Mount Everest: The "snow height" which is the height of the mountain that includes snow and ice on the summit, measured to be 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet). The "rock height" which is the summit height of the solid rock under the snow, at 8,844.43 meters (29,017 feet).
Both of the heights were acquired from a joint measurement made by Nepal and China in 2020.
Although Mount Everest is the highest mountain above sea level, Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador is the furthest location from earth's center.
Everest's height takes on seasonal changes due to the accumulation and melting of snow that will potentially add a few centimeters to the final measurement.
FAQs
Is Mount Everest taller than flying airplanes?
No, Mount Everest is not taller than most aircraft when flown at a cruising altitude. Mount Everest is 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet), while commercial aircraft generally fly at between 30,000 and 40,000 feet, indicating jet aircraft achieve flying heights above the summit height.
Does Mount Everest’s height affect climbing difficulty?
Yes, height is a major factor in the extreme difficulty in climbing Mt. Everest. One of the biggest challenges is that there is very little available oxygen. There is 21% oxygen in air at sea level, but at the very summit of Everest, there is only about 1/3 of that available. This leads to problematic breathing, acute mountain sickness (AMS), and makes each step tiering.
How long does it take to climb Mount Everest?
Climbing Everest generally takes 6 to 9 weeks. That represents the full ascent, trekking to basecamp, establishing higher camps, and most importantly giving the climbers the ability to acclimatize to the altitude before the final push to summit.
Has the height of Mount Everest ever been disputed?
Yes, Everest’s height has been debated multiple times. Different surveys by Nepal, China, and international teams gave slightly varying results. The latest joint measurement in 2020 finally agreed on 8,848.86 meters.
Does climate change impact Mount Everest’s height?
Climate change does not directly change the rock height of Everest, but it does have some effect on the snow and ice cover at the summit. Melting glaciers due to climate change can change the measurements slightly or can make climbers at risk from the icefall and danger of avalanches.
Is the summit of Everest in Nepal or China?
The summit is located exactly along the boundary that separates Nepal and Tibet (China). Climbers can access the summit from Nepal by taking a south route, and/or from Tibet by taking a north route.
What equipment is used to measure Mount Everest’s height today?
Modern measurement techniques have changed from physical surveying to using GPS devices, ground-penetrating radar, and satellite measurements. Teams have placed GPS units on the summit for precise readings and radar is used for depth of snow in relation to height of rock.
Conclusion
Mount Everest is one of the most incredible natural phenomena on the planet. Its height changes a little over time because of the shifting of the earth's crust and other natural occurrences. Scientists do their best to use the latest technology and methodology, to measure it accurately, but whether and if its height changes, is insignificant, because Everest will always be the highest peak above sea level.
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