* Height above sea level: This is the most common way to rank mountains.
* Total height from base to summit: This takes into account the elevation of the mountain's base.
Here's a breakdown based on both definitions:
Height Above Sea Level:
1. Mount Everest (8,848.86 m / 29,031.7 ft) - Nepal/Tibet
2. K2 (8,611 m / 28,251 ft) - Pakistan/China
3. Kangchenjunga (8,586 m / 28,169 ft) - Nepal/India
4. Lhotse (8,516 m / 27,940 ft) - Nepal/Tibet
5. Makalu (8,485 m / 27,838 ft) - Nepal/Tibet
Total Height from Base to Summit:
1. Mauna Kea (10,203 m / 33,474 ft) - Hawaii, USA (though most of it is underwater)
2. Chimborazo (6,268 m / 20,564 ft) - Ecuador
3. Mount Everest (8,848.86 m / 29,031.7 ft) - Nepal/Tibet
4. Kangchenjunga (8,586 m / 28,169 ft) - Nepal/India
5. Lhotse (8,516 m / 27,940 ft) - Nepal/Tibet
Note: While Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain by total height, it is not considered the tallest mountain above sea level. This is because most of Mauna Kea's height is underwater.
