The world's first skyscraper was built in Chicago in 1885. Since then, the United States has been home to some of the world's tallest skyscrapers. New York City, and especially the borough of Manhattan, has the tallest skyline in the country. Eleven American buildings have held the title of tallest building in the world. New York City and Chicago have been the centers of American skyscraper building. The 10-story Home Insurance Building, built in Chicago in 1885, is regarded as the world's first skyscraper; the building was constructed using a novel steel-loadbearing frame which became a standard of the industry worldwide. Since its topping out in 2013, One World Trade Center in New York City has been the tallest skyscraper in the United States. Its spire brings the structure to a symbolic architectural height of 1776 ft, connoting the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, though the absolute tip (or pinnacle) of the structure is measured at 1792 ft. However, the observation deck elevation and the height to the highest occupied floor of One World Trade Center are surpassed by Central Park Tower, 432 Park Avenue, 111 West 57th Street, and Chicago's Willis Tower, which was formerly and is still commonly known as Sears Tower. Tribune East Tower in Chicago will also have a higher occupied floor and roof upon its completion. Prior to the September 11 attacks in New York City, the twin towers of the first World Trade Center occupied the second and third positions on the list below. The North Tower (1 WTC) stood at 1368 ft, while the South Tower (2 WTC) was 1362 ft tall, then surpassed only by the Willis Tower at 1,450 ft. If they were still standing today, they would occupy the seventh and eighth positions on the list below, with their replacement—the new One World Trade Center—being excluded. There are numerous skyscrapers and supertall buildings both proposed and under construction throughout the country, concentrated in Chicago and New York City. 270 Park Avenue, in New York City, is currently under construction. In Chicago, work for Tribune East Tower has not begun but tentatively planned to start in February 2024. Other tall buildings that are proposed include the 1907 ft Legends Tower in Oklahoma City, the 1010 ft One Bayfront Plaza, and the 1049 ft One Brickell Centre in Miami.

Tallest buildings

This list ranks completed and topped-out buildings in the United States that stand at least 800 ft tall, based on standard height measurement which includes spires and architectural details, but excludes antenna masts. An equal sign (=) following a rank indicates the same height between two or more buildings. The "Year" column indicates the year in which a building was or will be completed. {{legend|#ddffdd|† Was the world's tallest building upon completion|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}}

• Indicates building is still under construction, but has been topped out.

Tallest buildings by pinnacle height

This lists ranks completed and topped out buildings in the United States that stand at least 800 ft tall based on pinnacle height measurement, which includes antenna masts. Standard architectural height measurement, which excludes antennas in building height, is included for comparative purposes. Indicates building is still under construction, but has been topped out.

Cities with the most skyscrapers

American cities with at least 5 completed skyscrapers over 500 ft high.

Tallest under construction, approved and proposed

Under construction

This lists buildings that are under construction in the United States and are planned to rise at least 800 ft. Buildings that have already been topped out are excluded.

• Table entries with dashes (—) indicate that information regarding building dates of completion has not yet been released.

Approved and proposed

This lists buildings that are proposed for construction in the United States and are planned to rise at least 800 ft. A floor count of 50 stories is used as the cutoff for buildings whose heights have not yet been released by their developers.

• Table entries with dashes (—) indicate that information regarding building heights, floor counts or dates of completion has not yet been released.

Tallest destroyed

This table lists the 10 tallest buildings in the United States that have been demolished, destroyed, or are undergoing demolition. {{legend|#ddffdd|† Was the world's tallest building upon completion|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}}

Timeline of tallest buildings

This is a list of the history of the tallest buildings in the United States by architectural height. This lists buildings that once held the title of tallest building in the United States. {{legend|#ddffdd|† Was the world's tallest building upon completion|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}}

General Lists

By City

By Region