Sea level · updated 16 February 2025
Sea level rise: how much have the oceans risen?
Global mean sea level measured by satellite altimetry, latest measurement 16 February 2025: 4.1 inches above 1993. Average rate since 1993: 3.11 mm per year.
Global mean sea level since 1993 (mm)
How much higher by 2100?
IPCC AR6 “likely” ranges for global mean sea level in 2100, relative to 1995–2014:
- Very low emissions (SSP1-1.9): 0.28–0.55 m
- Intermediate (SSP2-4.5): 0.44–0.76 m
- Very high emissions (SSP5-8.5): 0.63–1.01 m — and close to 2 m cannot be ruled out because of uncertain ice-sheet processes.
What it means, according to scientists
Sea level rise is one of the slowest but most certain consequences of warming. The IPCC states it iscommitted to continue for centuries to millennia, because the deep ocean keeps warming and ice sheets keep responding long after temperatures stabilise.
What changes first is not the average but the extremes: higher seas push storm surges and high tides further inland. The IPCC projects that sea level events that occurred once a century in the recent past will occur at least annually at more than half of all tide gauge locations by 2100.
Sources: IPCC AR6 WG1 Summary for Policymakers (A.1.7, B.5.3, B.5.5, C.2.5);NOAA Laboratory for Satellite Altimetry.
Frequently asked questions
How much has sea level risen?
Satellites show global mean sea level about 103 mm (4.1 inches) higher than in 1993. Since 1901, tide gauges and satellites show a rise of about 20 cm (8 inches), according to the IPCC.
Is sea level rise speeding up?
Yes. The IPCC reports the average rate was 1.3 mm per year in 1901–1971, 1.9 mm per year in 1971–2006 and 3.7 mm per year in 2006–2018. Satellite data since then show the rate is still increasing.
How much will sea level rise by 2100?
The IPCC's likely range for 2100 (relative to 1995–2014) is 0.28–0.55 m under very low emissions and 0.63–1.01 m under very high emissions. Rises of up to about 2 m by 2100 cannot be ruled out if ice sheets become unstable.
What causes sea level rise?
Two main things: seawater expands as it warms, and melting glaciers and ice sheets on land (Greenland, Antarctica, mountain glaciers) add water to the ocean. Melting sea ice contributes very little because it already floats.
Will my city be underwater?
Local sea level can rise faster or slower than the global average because land sinks or rises and ocean currents differ. See local IPCC projections for 50+ coastal cities in our sea level rise by city table.
Source:NOAA Laboratory for Satellite Altimetry (TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1/2/3, Sentinel-6MF)
Licence: Public domain. Altimetry data are provided by NOAA Laboratory for Satellite Altimetry.
Latest data: 16 February 2025 · Checked: 31 October 2026 ·Download CSV · Methodology