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The Burj Khalifa has 163 floors above ground, making it the tallest building in the world by architectural height.
The Burj Khalifa is 0.828 kilometers (828 meters) tall, including its architectural height.
The Burj Khalifa stands at 2,716.5 feet (828 meters) tall.
The Burj Khalifa has 163 above-ground stories and is recognized as the world's tallest building.
The Burj Khalifa is part of Emaar Properties' Downtown Dubai development.
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Rising above the Dubai skyline, the Burj Khalifa stands as one of the world's most iconic architectural achievements. At 828 meters (2,716.5 feet), it is the world's tallest building. One of the most common questions visitors ask is: how many stories does the Burj Khalifa have?The straightforward answer is simple: the Burj Khalifa has 163 stories above ground.
However, the tower functions as much more than just a skyscraper; it is a fully integrated vertical city housing a luxury hotel, private residences, offices, fine-dining restaurants, and observation decks.This comprehensive guide details the exact number of floors, the building's vertical layout, and the levels accessible to visitors.
The Burj Khalifa has 163 stories above ground level. It also has underground levels, including B1 and B2, used for parking and building services.
Standing 828 meters (2,716.5 feet) tall, the tower easily holds the world record for the tallest building, as certified by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).
You may occasionally come across sources stating that the Burj Khalifa has "over 200 levels." While this figure is accurate from an engineering perspective, it refers to a different metric:
Some older Burj Khalifa materials use a different floor-counting methodology and refer to 200 total floors, including non-habitable levels. For the standard architectural floor count used by CTBUH, the Burj Khalifa has 163 floors above ground.
Consequently, for all practical, commercial, and tourism purposes, the official count remains 163 stories.
In the professional fields of architecture and construction, however, each term has a distinct meaning:
Some older Burj Khalifa materials use a different floor-counting methodology and refer to 200 total floors, including non-habitable levels. For the standard architectural floor count used by CTBUH, the Burj Khalifa has 163 floors above ground.
If the building's total height (828 meters) is divided by its 163 occupied floors, the mathematical average is approximately 5.07 meters (16.6 feet) per floor.
However, in practice, floor heights vary considerably throughout the building depending on the specific function of each zone:
Corporate offices (4.5 m to 5.2 m): Built with higher ceilings to accommodate extensive data cabling, server networks, and commercial ventilation ducts.
Observation decks and lounges (5.0 m to 6.5 m): Designed with high ceilings and large glass windows to provide expansive panoramic views.
Technical service floors (6.0 m to 8.0 m): Double-height spaces built to house heavy machinery, including high-capacity water chillers, water pumps, and electrical substations.
Ground-floor lobby and entrance (6.0 m to 9.0 m): Spacious reception areas with high ceilings, designed to welcome residents and guests.
The Burj Khalifa was designed with a three-winged, Y-shaped structure inspired by the regional flower known as the spider lily. This configuration reduces the impact of high-altitude desert winds while
offering every room an unobstructed view of Downtown Dubai and the coastline.
Inside, the building functions as an interconnected vertical neighborhood:
| Level / Floors | Purpose / Use |
|---|---|
| Level 163 | Mechanical / Building Operations |
| Levels 155–162 | Mechanical & Communication Systems |
| Levels 152–154 | The Lounge (585 m) |
| Level 148 | At the Top SKY Observation Deck |
| Levels 125–154 | Corporate Suites, except Levels 122 and 124 |
| Levels 124–125 | At the Top Observation Decks |
| Level 122 | At.mosphere Restaurant & Lounge |
| Levels 19–108 | Residential Apartments |
| Levels 9–16 | Armani Residences |
| Concourse, Ground, Levels 1–8 & 38–39 | Armani Hotel Dubai |
| Levels B1–B2 | Underground Parking |
Occupying the space from the lobby level up to the 8th floor—and featuring exclusive signature suites on levels 38 and 39—the Armani Hotel Dubai is the world's first hotel designed in collaboration with Giorgio Armani. The property offers 160 guest rooms characterized by minimalist design, Japanese tatami mats, exquisite Italian fabrics, and luxury finishes. It also features fine-dining restaurants, a private spa, and exclusive entrances separate from the flow of tourists.
Located between levels 9 and 16, the Armani Residences comprise 144 fully furnished one- and two-bedroom apartments. Designed with the same understated, elegant style as the hotel, these homes offer residents 24-hour concierge service, private valet parking, and direct access to the hotel's facilities.
The central section of the tower—spanning levels 19–37, 43–72, and 76–108—houses approximately 900 private residences. These homes range from studios to luxury four-bedroom apartments featuring floor-to-ceiling windows.
To streamline daily movement and reduce elevator wait times, the residential areas feature two "Sky Lobbies" located on levels 43 and levels 76. These exclusive communal floors offer:
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools,
Modern gym facilities and hot hubs
Private meeting rooms and social spaces.
The Corporate Suites, occupying levels 112–121 and 126–154, represent some of the highest commercial office spaces in the world. These floors house international corporations, financial firms, and private companies. They feature high-speed communications infrastructure and dedicated express elevators that connect directly to the main lobby.
Situated between the residential and office floors are the tower's most popular spaces:
Level 122 (At.mosphere): Located at a height of 442 meters (1,450 feet), this is one of the world's highest fine-dining restaurants, offering international cuisine with views of Downtown Dubai.
Levels 124, 125, 148, and 152–154: The tower's famous observation decks and VIP lounges.
Generally, visitors cannot access the residential or office floors, but several levels are open to the public with a purchased ticket. Visitors can choose from three distinct observation experiences:
|
Level / Floor |
Experience Name | Height | Key Features |
| Levels 124 & 125 | At the Top | 452 m & 456 m | Outdoor terrace, glass-enclosed gallery with 360-degree views, digital telescopes |
| Level 148 | At the Top SKY | 555 m | VIP lounge, exclusive host service, light refreshments, uncrowded viewing deck |
| Levels 152–154 | The Lounge | 585 m | Highest public observation deck; afternoon tea and sunset drinks served |
This is the classic Burj Khalifa observation deck. Visitors take high-speed elevators from the ground floor of Dubai Mall, ascending at a speed of 10 meters per second and reaching Level 124 in approximately 60 seconds.
Level 124: Features an outdoor observation deck enclosed by glass panels. High-powered interactive telescopes allow visitors to zoom in on street-level landmarks or view the city as it appears today versus historically.
Level 125: Accessible via an indoor spiral staircase, this level offers a spacious indoor area with 360-degree views and Arabian geometric décor, as well as an interactive virtual glass floor that comes to life beneath visitors' feet.
Located at a height of 555 meters (1,821 feet), Level 148 offers an exclusive experience with fewer crowds. It previously held the Guinness World Record for the highest observation deck in the world.
Tickets for Level 148 include priority elevator access, a personalized escort, and entry to a quiet VIP lounge serving traditional Arabian dates, coffee, and refreshments. The outdoor terrace offers expansive, unobstructed views that span the entire city and extend toward the Arabian Gulf.
Spanning levels 152, 153, and 154, The Lounge is situated at a height of 585 meters, making it the highest point of the Burj Khalifa open to the general public.
More than just an observation deck, this level is designed as a full-service hospitality space where visitors can book exclusive experiences.
Afternoon High Tea: freshly baked pastries, assorted sandwiches, and specialty hot beverages as visitors take in the scenery from among the cloud.
The evening service: Combines sunset views with cocktails, appetizers, and live music on the open-air terrace.
