By the Numbers
Rates of global sea level rise and its contributions, current and published.
The first table is computed on this site from the latest data shown on the Vital Signs pages, using a simple least squares fit. It updates automatically whenever new observations arrive. The second table lists the published reference estimates that the research community uses, with 90 percent confidence intervals. All values are millimeters of global sea level per year.
Current rates from the latest data
| Indicator | Period | mm/yr | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global mean sea level | 1993 to present | … | Satellite altimetry (NASA) |
| Global mean sea level, current rate | fit at latest month | … | Quadratic fit to satellite record |
| Acceleration | 1993 to present | … mm/yr² | Quadratic fit to satellite record |
| Ocean mass | 2002 to present | … | GRACE and GRACE-FO |
| Steric height, 0 to 2000 m | 2005 to present | … | Argo (NOAA NCEI) |
| Greenland mass loss | 2002 to present | … | GRACE and GRACE-FO |
| Antarctic mass loss | 2002 to present | … | GRACE and GRACE-FO |
Published reference estimates
| Period | Estimate (mm/yr) | ± (mm/yr) | Reference | Measurement or model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total sea level | ||||
| 1993 to 2023 | 2.1 rising to 4.5 | Hamlington et al. (2024) | Satellite altimetry | |
| 1993 to 2020 | 3.34 | 0.40 | Beckley et al. (2017) | Satellite altimetry |
| 1993 to 2018 | 3.35 | 0.47 | Frederikse et al. (2020) | Tide gauges |
| 1900 to 2018 | 1.56 | 0.30 | Frederikse et al. (2020) | Tide gauges |
| Steric sea level | ||||
| 2005 to 2019 | 1.10 | 0.20 | Roemmich and Gilson (2009) | Argo floats |
| 1900 to 2018 | 0.52 | 0.18 | Frederikse et al. (2020) | In situ observations |
| Ocean mass | ||||
| 2002 to 2020 | 2.10 | 0.30 | Watkins et al. (2015) | GRACE and GRACE-FO |
| 1900 to 2018 | 1.00 | 0.30 | Frederikse et al. (2020) | Synthesis of satellite and in situ observations |
| Greenland mass loss | ||||
| 2002 to 2020 | 0.78 | 0.06 | Watkins et al. (2015) | GRACE and GRACE-FO |
| 1992 to 2018 | 0.42 | 0.04 | IMBIE (2019) | Data synthesis |
| 1900 to 2020 | 0.44 | 0.09 | Frederikse et al. (2020) | Synthesis |
| Antarctic mass loss | ||||
| 2002 to 2020 | 0.41 | 0.11 | Watkins et al. (2015) | GRACE and GRACE-FO |
| 1992 to 2017 | 0.30 | 0.16 | IMBIE (2018) | Data synthesis |
| 1900 to 2020 | 0.08 | 0.08 | Frederikse et al. (2020) | Synthesis |
| Glacier mass loss | ||||
| 2002 to 2016 | 0.57 | 0.10 | Wouters et al. (2019) | GRACE |
| 1900 to 2018 | 0.70 | 0.18 | Frederikse et al. (2020) | Synthesis |
| Land water storage | ||||
| 2002 to 2014 | −0.33 | 0.16 | Reager et al. (2016) | GRACE |
| 1900 to 2018 | −0.21 | 0.13 | Frederikse et al. (2020) | Synthesis |
Rates computed on this site are linear least squares trends without formal uncertainties and may differ slightly from published values that correct for glacial isostatic adjustment, seasonal signals or El Niño. Use the published estimates for citation.