What Country Is Mount Everest In?
Mount Everest sits directly on the international border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Its exact summit is on that border line, which is why both countries claim it and why climbers can reach the top from either the Nepali south side or the Tibetan north side.
Two Countries, One Summit
Nepal calls the mountain Sagarmatha, while China and Tibet call it Qomolangma, also spelled Chomolungma. Both names appear on official maps and signage on their respective sides of the mountain.
The Two Routes to the Top
| Route | Country | Character |
|---|---|---|
| South Col route | Nepal | The more popular route, first summited in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay |
| North Ridge route | Tibet (China) | Historically used by early British expeditions in the 1920s and 1930s |
Why Height Measurements Have Differed
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Download on the App StoreNepal and China have at times published slightly different official heights for Everest, depending on whether they measured the rock summit alone or included the snow cap on top. In 2020, the two countries jointly announced an agreed official height of 8,848.86 meters, resolving decades of separate measurements.
→The 10 Highest Mountains in the WorldDo You Need a Permit From Both Countries?
No. Climbers need a permit only from whichever country's side they start from, Nepal or China, since each government independently controls access, guiding, and fees on its own side of the mountain.
Is Mount Everest in Nepal or China?
Both. Its summit sits exactly on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
What is Mount Everest called in Nepal and Tibet?
Nepal calls it Sagarmatha; in Tibet it is called Qomolangma, also spelled Chomolungma.
What is the official height of Mount Everest?
8,848.86 meters, a figure jointly agreed by Nepal and China in 2020.
Which route up Everest is more popular?
The South Col route from Nepal, first climbed in 1953, is used by the large majority of climbers today.
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