The world’s tallest roller coaster is taller than a 60-story office tower. The drop takes about 4 seconds.
How to Play: Guess if the coaster on the right is TALLER or SHORTER than the one on the left.
Name A
Name B
Top 10 Tallest Roller Coasters
Roller coaster height races have been a multi-decade arms race between Six Flags, Cedar Fair, and international parks in Korea, Japan, and the UAE. Several record-holders have closed permanently due to mechanical or safety issues.
| # | Name | Height (m) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Falcon's Flury (Six Flags Qiddiya, planned) | 192 | meters |
| 2 | Kingda Ka (Six Flags Great Adventure, closed 2024) | 139 | meters |
| 3 | Top Thrill 2 (Cedar Point) | 128 | meters |
| 4 | Red Force (Ferrari Land) | 112 | meters |
| 5 | Fury 325 (Carowinds) | 99 | meters |
| 6 | Steel Dragon 2000 (Nagashima Spa Land) | 97 | meters |
| 7 | Millennium Force (Cedar Point) | 94 | meters |
| 8 | Leviathan (Canada's Wonderland) | 93 | meters |
| 9 | Intimidator 305 (Kings Dominion) | 93 | meters |
| 10 | Orion (Kings Island) | 87 | meters |
How Roller Coaster Heights Are Built
A roller coaster’s ‘height’ is typically the highest point of the track above the loading station. The track elevation, lift hill height, and drop height are sometimes reported as different numbers — most rankings use the maximum track elevation.
Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure (New Jersey) held the world record at 139 meters from 2005 until its closure in 2024. The hydraulic launch system propelled riders from 0 to 206 km/h in 3.5 seconds before the 139 m drop. Reliability issues plagued the ride in its final years, and Six Flags retired it as part of a park redevelopment.
The successor record will be Falcon’s Flury, planned for Six Flags Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia, at 192 meters. The park is expected to open in 2026 with multiple world-record rides funded by Saudi tourism investment. The coaster will exceed Kingda Ka’s height by 38% and reach 250+ km/h in launch.
Wooden coasters max out around 60 meters because of structural limitations — wooden track lacks the stiffness for higher drops and faster speeds. Most record-tier coasters since 2000 are steel. Some hybrid designs (Iron Gwazi, Steel Vengeance) retrofit steel track onto reused wooden support structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the world's tallest roller coaster?
As of 2024 with Kingda Ka closed: Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Point (128 m). The upcoming Falcon’s Flury at Six Flags Qiddiya will surpass it at 192 m when it opens.
Why did Kingda Ka close?
Six Flags retired Kingda Ka in 2024 citing reliability issues with the hydraulic launch system and broader park redevelopment plans. It had been the world record holder from 2005.
Can wooden coasters go very tall?
Generally no — wooden track structurally maxes out around 60 m. Most modern record coasters use steel. Hybrid designs combine steel track with wooden support structures.
How fast do these coasters go?
Top-tier launch coasters reach 200+ km/h. Kingda Ka and Top Thrill (the original) both reached 206 km/h. Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is the fastest at 240 km/h.
Note: Heights in meters from manufacturer specifications and park records. Several listed coasters (Kingda Ka) are no longer operating.
More Wise Games to Try