Roller coasters are amusement rides developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. Early iterations during the 16th and 17th centuries, popularized in Russia, involved wooden sleds that carried riders down large slides made from ice. The first roller coasters to attach a train to a wooden track appeared in France in the early 1800s.[1] Although wooden roller coasters are still being produced, steel roller coasters were introduced in the mid-20th-century and eventually became more common. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica.[2]
Amusement parks often compete to build the tallest, fastest, and longest rides to attract thrill seekers and boost park attendance.[3] Ranked by height, speed, length, and number of inversions, roller coasters often became the focal point for competing parks. Computer-simulated models led to innovations that produced more intense thrills while improving quality and durability.[4] The debut of Magnum XL-200 in 1989 at Cedar Point introduced the first complete-circuit roller coaster to exceed 200 feet (61 m) in height,[5][6] marking a pivot point in the industry and a new era sometimes referred to as the Coaster Wars.[4] This period saw increasing competition as parks sought to be the latest to set a new world record, and some records were held for less than a year.[7]
The pace of competition eventually slowed, however.[4][7] The now-defunct Kingda Ka, previously the tallest coaster in the world at 456 feet (139 m),[8] held the height record from 2005 until its closure in 2024.[4][7] Formula Rossa, formerly the world's fastest at 149 mph (240 km/h), held the speed record for 15 years.[9] Steel Dragon 2000, with its track length of 8,133 feet (2,479 m), was the longest in the world for more than 25 years. These records were eventually surpassed by Falcons Flight in 2025, which opened as the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster in the world. Other notables include The Beast, the world's longest wooden coaster since its opening in 1979, featuring a track length of 7,361 feet (2,244 m),[10] and The Smiler, which set a world record with fourteen inversions in 2013.[11]
Key
Height rankings
Tallest steel roller coasters
Longest steel roller coaster drops
Tallest wooden roller coasters
Longest wooden roller coaster drops
Gallery
Speed rankings
Fastest steel roller coasters
Fastest wooden roller coasters
Gallery
Length rankings
Longest steel roller coasters
Longest wooden roller coasters
Gallery
Inversion rankings
This listing contains all types of roller coaster inversions.
Steel roller coasters
Wooden roller coasters
Gallery
Drop angle rankings
Steel roller coasters
Wooden roller coasters
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f A shuttle roller coaster, not complete-circuit
- ^ Record was held by Tower of Terror [note 1] from 23 January 1997 – 15 March 1997, featuring a height of 377 feet (115 m) and drop distance of 328.1 feet (100.0 m).[12][13]
- ^ Record was held by Superman: The Escape[note 1] from 15 March 1997 – 4 May 2003, with a height of 415 feet (126 m).[14]
- ^ a b Record was held by Kingda Ka from 21 May 2005 – 10 November 2024, featuring a height of 456 feet (139 m) and a drop distance of 418 feet (127 m).[8]
- ^ Falcons Flight has been advertised with a height of 640 feet (200 m). This is the difference from the highest point to lowest point. Tallest freestanding element is the 534.8 feet (163.0 m) camelback hill.[16]
- ^ Record was held by Tower of Terror[note 1] from 23 January 1997 – 4 May 2003 and Superman: The Escape[note 1] from 15 March 1997 – 4 May 2003, both of which featured a drop distance of 328.1 feet (100.0 m).[12][14]
- ^ Drop height estimated at 345 ft (105 m) according to TripSavvy.[18]
- ^ Record was held by Texas Giant from 17 March 1990 – 28 April 2000. It had a height of 143 feet (44 m), a drop distance of 137 feet (42 m) and a maximum speed of 62 mph (100 km/h).[19]
- ^ a b c Record was held by Son of Beast from 28 April 2000 – 16 June 2009. It had a height of 218 feet (66 m), a drop distance of 214 feet (65 m) and a maximum speed of 78 mph (126 km/h).[20]
- ^ Record was held by Mean Streak from 22 May 1991 – 14 May 1992 and 1994 – 28 April 2000. It had a height of 161 feet (49 m), a drop distance of 155 feet (47 m) and a maximum speed of 74 mph (119 km/h).[22]
- ^ Record was held by Rattler from 14 May 1992 until its drop was lowered in 1994. It had a height of 179 feet (55 m), a drop distance of 166 feet (51 m) and a maximum speed of 65 mph (105 km/h).[23]
- ^ Record was held by Tower of Terror[note 1] from January 1997 – December 2001 and Superman: The Escape[note 1] from 15 March 1997 – December 2001, both of which featured a maximum speed of 100.0 mph (160.9 km/h).[12][25]
- ^ Record was held by Dodonpa from 21 December 2001 – 4 May 2003, with a maximum speed of 106.9 mph (172.0 km/h).[26]
- ^ Record was held by Kingda Ka from 21 May 2005 – 10 November 2010. It had a maximum speed of 128 mph (206 km/h).[8]
- ^ Record was held by Lightning Rod from 13 June 2016 – September 2020, before its conversion into a steel roller coaster. It had a drop distance of 165 feet (50 m) and a maximum speed of 73 mph (117 km/h).[28]
- ^ Record was held by The Ultimate from 17 July 1991 – 1 August 2000, with a length of 7,442 feet (2,268 m).[30]
- ^ Record was co-held by 10 Inversion Roller Coaster from February 2006 – 31 May 2013, featuring 10 inversions
- ^ The Roller Coaster DataBase lists the ride as having eight inversions, since the banana roll is counted as one inversion. Other sources list the ride as having nine inversions, with the banana roll counted as two.
- ^ Record was held by Son of Beast from 28 April 2000 – 16 June 2009, which featured 1 inversion. The vertical loop was removed following an incident in July 2006.[20]
References
- ^ Harris, Tom. "How Roller Coasters Work". Discovery Communications. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster Census Report". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
- ^ Martín, Hugo (March 13, 2012). "Thrill ride designers compete to push the limits". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Top Thrill Dragster: The Inside Track on Cedar Point's Landmark Coaster and Potential Final Lap". Theme Park Tourist. March 25, 2022. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
- ^ "It's opening weekend for Cedar Point". Associated Press. May 15, 2009. Archived from the original on May 18, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
- ^ "Magnum XL–200 20th anniversary ceremony". PointBuzz. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
- ^ a b c Miller, Danny (July 29, 2013). "Battle Resurgence: Are the Coaster Wars back?". COASTER-net. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c Marden, Duane. "Kingda Ka (Six Flags Great Adventure)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Formula Rossa (Ferrari World Abu Dhabi)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "The Beast (Kings Island)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "The Smiler (Alton Towers)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c Marden, Duane. "Tower of Terror II (Dreamworld)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
ToT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
- ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Superman: Escape from Krypton (Six Flags Magic Mountain)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Steel Record Holders – Height". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved September 20, 2010.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Falcons Flight (Six Flags Qiddiya City)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Steel Record Holders – Drop". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ Levine, Arthur (January 7, 2021). "The 10 Tallest Roller Coasters in the World". TripSavvy. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Texas Giant (Six Flags Over Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Son of Beast (Kings Island)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wood Record Holders – Height". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Mean Streak (Cedar Point)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Rattler (Six Flags Fiesta Texas)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wood Record Holders – Drop". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
ToT2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Do-Dodonpa (Fuji-Q Highland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Steel Record Holders – Speed". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Lightning Rod (Dollywood)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wood Record Holders – Speed". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Ultimate (Lightwater Valley)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Record Holders – Steel – Length". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wood Record Holders – Length". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Steel Record Holders – Most Inversions". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wood Record Holders – Most Inversions". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Steel Record Holders – Angle". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Wood Record Holders – Drop Angle". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
External links
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- Roller coasters by country
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