The short answer: New York City is estimated to weigh about 700 trillion kilograms (roughly 770 billion tons) when counting its buildings, infrastructure, soil, and water. It is one of the largest and most densely built cities in the world.
New York City weight by type
New York City's weight includes its dense built environment plus the ground and water beneath it. Much of the city even sits on reclaimed land added through landfill.
| Component (example) | Contribution to total weight |
|---|---|
| Buildings (incl. skyscrapers) | a major share of the built mass |
| Roads, bridges, and tunnels | a substantial portion |
| Underlying soil and bedrock | the dominant share when included |
| Water bodies and infrastructure | a notable contribution |
What affects New York City weight
- Dense skyline. Manhattan's many tall buildings concentrate enormous mass.
- Infrastructure. An extensive subway, bridges, and tunnels add heavily.
- Soil and bedrock. The ground beneath dominates the total when counted.
- Reclaimed land. Landfill that expanded Manhattan adds to the mass.
- What is counted. Including soil and water hugely raises the figure.
- City footprint. The five boroughs cover a large built-up area.
How New York City weight compares
New York City's estimated weight of around 770 billion tons is hundreds of times heavier than all the steel ever produced for ships, and the buildings alone outweigh every vehicle in the United States.
Frequently asked questions
Does the estimate include the ground beneath the city?
Yes, the roughly 700-trillion-kilogram figure counts soil and water along with buildings and infrastructure. Counting structures alone gives a far smaller number.
How can you weigh a whole city?
You cannot directly. Researchers estimate the volume of materials and ground and multiply by their densities to reach an approximate total.
Is part of New York City built on landfill?
Yes. Portions of Manhattan and the waterfront were expanded with landfill, adding reclaimed land that contributes to the city's overall mass.
