World's Tallest Obelisk, world record set by the Washington Monument

September 22, 2025

Washington, D.C., United States--The Washington Monument, an obelisk on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate George Washington, a Founding Father of the United States, stands 554 feet 7+11⁄32 inches (169.046 m) tall, according to U.S. National Geodetic Survey measurements, sets the world record for the World's Tallest Obelisk, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

Photos: Carol Highsmith Washington Monument Photos/National Park Service

"The Washington Monument is an obelisk on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate George Washington, a Founding Father of the United States, victorious commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783 in the American Revolutionary War, and the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797.

"Standing east of the Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial,[2] the monument is made of bluestone gneiss for the foundation and of granite for the construction. The outside facing consists, due to the interrupted building process, of three different kinds of white marble:[4] in the lower third, marble from Baltimore County, Maryland, followed by a narrow zone of marble from Sheffield, Massachusetts, and, in the upper part, the so-called Cockeysville Marble." (Wikipedia)

"The monument stands 554 feet 7+11⁄32 inches (169.046 m) tall, according to U.S. National Geodetic Survey measurements in 2013 and 2014. (Wikipedia)

"It is the third tallest monumental column in the world, trailing only the Juche Tower in Pyongyang, North Korea (560 ft/170 m), and the San Jacinto Monument in Houston, Texas (567.31 ft/172.92 m).

"It was the world's tallest structure between 1884 and 1889, after which it was overtaken by the Eiffel Tower, in Paris. Previously, the tallest structures were Lincoln Cathedral (1311–1548; 525 ft/160 m) and Cologne Cathedral (1880–1884; 515 ft/157 m)."

"The Washington Monument in Washington D.C. is the world's tallest obelisk, standing at 555 feet (169 meters) tall and completed in 1884. It is constructed from marble, granite, and bluestone gneiss and was built to honor George Washington, the first president of the United States." (AI Overview)

Key facts about the Washington Monument:

Height: 555 feet (169 meters)
Location: National Mall, Washington, D.C., USA
Materials: Marble, granite, and bluestone gneiss
Purpose: To honor George Washington
Completion: 1884

"The world's tallest obelisk is the Washington Monument in Washington DC, USA. It stands 169 m (555 ft) tall and was completed in 1884 to honour George Washington, the first president of the United States," the Guinness World Records says.

"An obelisk is a tapered four-sided column, usually with a pointed top."

"The Washington Monument is a hollow Egyptian-style stone obelisk with a 500-foot-tall (152.4 m) column surmounted by a 55-foot-tall (16.8 m) pyramidion. Its walls are 15 feet (4.6 m) thick at its base and 1+1⁄2 feet (0.46 m) thick at their top. The marble pyramidion's walls are 7 inches (18 cm) thick, supported by six arches: two between opposite walls, which cross at the center of the pyramidion, and four smaller arches in the corners. (Wikipedia)

"The top of the pyramid is a large, marble capstone with a small aluminum pyramid at its apex, with inscriptions on all four sides. The bottom 150 feet (45.7 m) of the walls, built during the first phase from 1848 to 1854, are composed of a pile of bluestone gneiss rubble stones (not finished stones) held together by a large amount of mortar with a facade of semi-finished marble stones about 1+1⁄4 feet (0.4 m) thick. The upper 350 feet (106.7 m) of the walls, built in the second phase, 1880–1884, are of finished marble surface stones, half of which project into the walls, partly backed by finished granite stones."

"The Washington Monument experience is centered around the trip to the 500' level observation deck. It has the finest view of the Nation's Capital and surrounding areas into Virginia and Maryland," the official National Park Service website says.

"The elevator ride back down slows to show some of the 193 Commemorative Stones set into the interior walls of the staircase within the monument.

"View the National Mall & Memorial Parks, Schedule of Events for ranger programs and activities!

"When it comes to astonishing architectural achievements of ancient Egypt, one clear example comes to mind: the pyramids. But these historic structures aren't the only majestic geometric feats to originate near the Nile. In fact, their rectangular cousin, the obelisk, can be found in countries throughout the world, from Washington, D.C., to Paris, France. But the iconic monuments are still shrouded in a fair amount of mystery," the How Stuff Works says.

"While the honor of the world's tallest obelisk belongs to the Washington Monument (standing 555 feet, or 169 meters, tall), Long believes the most famous obelisk on the planet is likely the Vatican Obelisk at the center of Rome's St. Peter's Square.

"The oldest man-made object in Central Park and the oldest outdoor monument in New York City is the obelisk known as “Cleopatra's Needle.” It's over 3,000 years old, stands 69 feet high and weighs an amazing 220 tons. It was erected in Central Park on January 22, 1881, after having been sold to the United States by the Egyptian government."

"For those who may not know, the monument is an obelisk on the National Mall built to commemorate George Washington, once commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the first American president," the Travel Gumbo says.

"Made of marble, granite, and bluestone gneiss, and standing over 554 feet tall, it is both the world’s tallest stone structure and the world’s tallest obelisk. Standing almost due east of the Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial, it is a site to see. On a historical note, the Monument was dedicated on February 21, 1885 and officially opened on October 9, 1888.

"After we reached the top we were able to step out on the observation deck and check out the amazing views of the city. It was breathtaking to be up on top of the world in the most powerful city in the world. After exploring and walking all around for a while, we headed down a level to their museum. It was interesting and informative, but I still enjoyed the views more, lol. It’s definitely something you should do if in D.C."

"How would you like to be remembered? Well this is how this city remembers its founding father, George Washington. With a soaring obelisk of marble, bluestone gneiss and granite. It’s the world’s tallest obelisk, and the world’s tallest stone structure, come to that. It was designed by Robert Mills, who sadly didn’t live long enough to see its completion in 1888," the Big Bus Tours says.

"There’s an elevator to the top of the monument. The original elevator ride took 20 minutes, and only men were allowed. Women and children had to take the stairs! Now it’s open to all comers, but on a first come, first served basis. So if you want to get some stunning views of the Smithsonian Museum and beyond, you’ll have to get here early to pick up your free tickets.

"Right at the top of the Monument sits an aluminium apex. When it was made, aluminum was as rare as silver. It was put on display at Tiffany’s in New York City. Visitors would step over it so they could say they had stepped over the top of the Washington Monument. Following lightning damage, the apex is now blunt at the end."

"Washington Monument, obelisk in Washington, D.C., honouring George Washington, the first president of the United States. Constructed of granite faced with Maryland marble, the structure is 55 feet (16.8 meters) square at the base and 554 feet 7 inches (169 metres) high and weighs an estimated 91,000 tons," the Britannica says.

"(The monument’s height was previously measured as 555 feet 5 inches [169.3 metres], but a recalculation based on international standards in 2014 led to its revision.)

"The shaft’s load-bearing masonry walls are 15 feet (4.6 metres) thick at its base, tapering to a thickness of only 18 inches (46 cm) at the top. At its completion in 1884 it was the world’s tallest man-made structure, though it was supplanted by the Eiffel Tower just five years later. It remains the world’s tallest masonry structure."

"A man has surprised his girlfriend with a marriage proposal 175ft (53m) up the world's tallest three-sided obelisk. NHS worker Johnathon Storry popped the question to Kylie Springall after they climbed the 232 steps to the top of the Wellington Monument in Somerset," the BBC reports.

"As she admired the view, she turned around to find her partner on one knee. After accepting the proposal, Ms Springall told BBC Radio Somerset: "I had no idea at all. I think it's the only time I've been speechless."

"The proposal was made possible by the National Trust, which owns the Grade-II listed monument."