Largest Lakes in the World

25 Largest Lakes in the World List

ADDucation’s list of the largest lakes in the world by area can also be sorted to display the largest lakes in the world by volume and the deepest lakes. Canada borders more of the world’s largest lakes than any other country, followed by the USA.

ADDucation’s list of the biggest lakes in the world was compiled by Robert Junker, last updated 04 Sep 2023.

Frequently Asked Question - FAQs About The Largest Lakes in the World

What is the biggest lake in the world?

The Caspian Sea is the biggest lake in the world, although there is some controversy as to whether it is really a lake. The Caspian Sea is salty (1/3 as salty as normal seawater) which is why the Romans named it a sea rather than a lake. But, because the Caspian Sea is land-locked it meets the usual definition of a lake.

Where does the water in lakes come from?

As rain (direct precipitation), from higher ground and from underground springs.

Is lake water fresh or salty?

A bit of both actually. Because most lakes are frequently topped up with fresh rainwater lakes tend to have a lower salinity than seawater. Rainwater that falls on land and flows into a lake dissolves minerals, including salt, which increases the overall salinity of the water in that lake.

What is the saltiest lake on the planet?

That dubious honor goes to Lake Don Juan in Antarctica. Although the temperatures gets as low as -50C the lake does not freeze because the water is too salty - 18 times more salty than seawater!

ADDucation Tips: Click column headings with arrows to sort the largest lakes. Click the ➕ icon to reveal any hidden columns. Set your browser to full screen to show as many columns as possible.

Largest Lakes in the World	Country / Countries	Area (mi²)	Area (km²)	Depth (ft)	Depth (m)	Water Volume (mi³)	Water Volume (km³)	#
Caspian Sea	Russia 🇷🇺Kazakhstan 🇰🇿Iran 🇮🇷	149228	386500	3363	1025	18761	78200	1
Lake Superior	USA 🇺🇸Canada 🇨🇦	31700	82103	1329	405	2903	12100	2
Lake Victoria	Kenya 🇰🇪Tanzania 🇹🇿Uganda 🇺🇬	26827	69484	266	81	662	2760	3
Lake Huron	USA 🇺🇸Canada 🇨🇦	23000	59570	751	229	852	3550	4
Lake Michigan	USA 🇺🇸	22342	57866	922	281	1180	4920	5
Lake Tanganyika	Zambia 🇿🇲Tanzania 🇹🇿 Congo 🇨🇬	12700	32893	4708	1435	4534	18900	6
Big Bear Lake	Canada 🇨🇦	12276	31795	1463	446	537	2240	7
Lake Baikal	Russia 🇷🇺	12158	31490	5371	1637	5662	23600	8
Great Slave Lake	Canada 🇨🇦	11031	28570	2014	614	480	2000	9
Lake Erie	USA 🇺🇸Canada 🇨🇦	9910	25667	210	64	120	500	10
Lake Winnipeg	Canada 🇨🇦	9416	24390	59	18	68	285	11
Lake Malawi	Malawi 🇲🇼Mozambique 🇲🇿	8996	23300	2280	695	2015	8400	12
Lake Ontario	USA 🇺🇸Canada 🇨🇦	7340	19011	801	244	393	1640	13
Lake Balkhash	Kazakhstan 🇰🇿	7115	18428	85	26	25	105	14
Ladoga Lake	Russia 🇷🇺	6835	17703	755	230	218	910	15
Lake Vostok	Antarctica (under ice) 🇦🇶	6062	15700	3280 (up to)	1000 (up to)	1296	5400	16
Lake Maracaibo	Venezuela 🇻🇪	5216	13512	115	35	Not specified	Not specified	17
Lake Onega	Russia 🇷🇺	3752	9720	394	120	67	280	18
Lake Eyre	Australia 🇦🇺	3600	9323	4.9	1.5	Not specified	Not specified	19
Lake Titicaca	Peru 🇵🇪Bolivia 🇧🇴	3200	8288	922	281	214	893	20
Lake Nicaragua	Nicaragua 🇳🇮	3187	8256	148	45	Not specified	Not specified	21
Lake Athabasca	Canada 🇨🇦	3031	7850	797	243	49	204	22
Reindeer Lake	Canada 🇨🇦	2568	6650	1106	337	4294	17900	23
Lake Turkana	Kenya 🇰🇪Ethiopia 🇪🇹	2471	6400	240	73	49	204	24