The world's most polluted cities, ranked

2,346 of 2,447 measured cities in 72 countries breathed air above the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³ so far this year. The worst was Miryang, South Korea, at 256.9.

#14 Beolgyo 100.0 µg/m³, more polluted than 99% of 2,447
← Miryang 256.9 µg/m³ 200 µg/m³5 WHO annual guideline
Every ranked city, one column each, worst on the left and cleanest on the right; height is PM2.5 in µg/m³. Point at it to read a city; tap to open it.
  1. 1MiryangGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea 1051.4×
  2. 2HwasunJeollanam-do, South Korea 1043.2×
  3. 3SinhyeonGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea 1029.0×
  4. 4SejongSejong-si, South Korea 1027.8×
  5. 5HadongGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea 1027.4×
  6. 6SeogwipoJeju-do, South Korea 1027.2×
  7. 7SeosanChungcheongnam-do, South Korea 1026.0×
  8. 8GaigeturiJeju-do, South Korea 1024.9×
  9. 9HongseongChungcheongnam-do, South Korea 1024.7×
  10. 10PubalGyeonggi-do, South Korea 1021.4×
  11. 11KinzanChungcheongnam-do, South Korea 1021.3×
  12. 12TangjinChungcheongnam-do, South Korea 1021.0×
  13. 13GurugramHaryana, India 1020.6×▼12
  14. 14BeolgyoJeollanam-do, South Korea no daily values yet1020.0×
  15. 15AnseongGyeonggi-do, South Korea 1019.7×
  16. 16Taesal-liChungcheongnam-do, South Korea 1019.7×
  17. 17GapyeongGyeonggi-do, South Korea 1018.7×
  18. 18YangjuGyeonggi-do, South Korea 1018.4×
  19. 19Hwaseong-siGyeonggi-do, South Korea 1018.3×
  20. 20Yangp'yŏngGyeonggi-do, South Korea 1018.0×
  21. 21GangneungGangwon-do, South Korea 1018.0×
  22. 22YeongdongNorth Chungcheong, South Korea 1017.6×
  23. 23Faisalabadlow-cost sensorsPunjab, Pakistan 1017.3×▼21
  24. 23GeojeGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea 1017.3×
  25. 25HwawŏnDaegu, South Korea 1017.0×
  26. 26TongyeongGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea 1016.9×
  27. 27BoryeongChungcheongnam-do, South Korea 1016.8×
  28. 28GongjuChungcheongnam-do, South Korea 1016.8×
  29. 29NonsanChungcheongnam-do, South Korea 1016.8×
  30. 30SinanJeollanam-do, South Korea 1016.6×
  31. 31SeonghwanChungcheongnam-do, South Korea 1016.6×
  32. 32BawānaDelhi, India 1016.2×
  33. 33KosongGangwon-do, South Korea 1016.1×
  34. 34Ganghwa-gunIncheon, South Korea 1016.1×
  35. 35Charkhi DādriHaryana, India 1016.0×
  36. 36NangenJeollabuk-do, South Korea 1015.7×
  37. 36KunwiGyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea 1015.7×
  38. 38ChuncheonGangwon-do, South Korea 1015.6×
  39. 39WabuGyeonggi-do, South Korea 1015.5×
  40. 40ChinjuGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea 1015.5×
  41. 41Gujranwalalow-cost sensorsPunjab, Pakistan 1015.4×▼38
  42. 42KimjeJeollabuk-do, South Korea 1015.4×
  43. 43GoseongGyeongsangnam-do, South Korea 1015.3×
  44. 44Lahorelow-cost sensorsPunjab, Pakistan 1015.3×▼40
  45. 45Jeju CityJeju-do, South Korea 1015.0×
  46. 46NamsaJeollabuk-do, South Korea 1015.0×
  47. 47ChangsuJeollabuk-do, South Korea 1014.9×
  48. 48OkcheonNorth Chungcheong, South Korea 1014.9×
  49. 49T’aebaekGangwon-do, South Korea 1014.7×
  50. 49MānesarHaryana, India 1014.7×
All 2,447 cities
Low1–3
Moderate4–6
High7–9
Very high10

The UK's Daily Air Quality Index (1 to 10), PM2.5 bands. Show values as: µg/m³ · US AQI · India AQI · China AQI · European AQI · UK DAQI · Canada AQHI+. About the scales

Who led, day by day

Hwasun2 days #12026-09-02: 424.0 µg/m³2026-09-03: 13.4 µg/m³2026-09-04: 8.0 µg/m³2026-09-05: 422.0 µg/m³, #52026-09-06: 1,260.0 µg/m³, #12026-09-07: 12.2 µg/m³2026-09-08: 11.8 µg/m³2026-09-09: 9.9 µg/m³2026-09-10: 839.0 µg/m³, #42026-09-11: 426.0 µg/m³2026-09-12: 843.0 µg/m³, #22026-09-13: 844.0 µg/m³, #12026-09-14: 845.0 µg/m³, #82026-09-15: 433.0 µg/m³2026-09-16: 15.4 µg/m³2026-09-17: 423.0 µg/m³2026-09-18: 424.0 µg/m³2026-09-19: 425.0 µg/m³, #32026-09-20: 425.0 µg/m³, #32026-09-21: 428.0 µg/m³2026-09-22: 12.6 µg/m³2026-09-23: 12.1 µg/m³2026-09-24: 10.4 µg/m³2026-09-25: 17.3 µg/m³2026-09-26: 5.8 µg/m³2026-09-27: 8.1 µg/m³2026-09-28: 10.8 µg/m³2026-09-29: 10.9 µg/m³2026-09-30: 10.0 µg/m³2026-10-01: 8.3 µg/m³Miryang2 days #12026-09-02: 1,260.0 µg/m³, #32026-09-03: 15.8 µg/m³2026-09-04: 7.3 µg/m³2026-09-05: 5.4 µg/m³2026-09-06: 10.3 µg/m³2026-09-07: 12.5 µg/m³2026-09-08: 7.1 µg/m³2026-09-09: 840.0 µg/m³, #72026-09-10: 423.0 µg/m³2026-09-11: 839.0 µg/m³2026-09-12: 425.0 µg/m³, #52026-09-15: 14.4 µg/m³2026-09-16: 842.0 µg/m³2026-09-17: 5.8 µg/m³2026-09-18: 1,260.0 µg/m³, #12026-09-19: 842.0 µg/m³, #22026-09-20: 842.0 µg/m³, #12026-09-21: 844.0 µg/m³, #72026-09-22: 10.6 µg/m³2026-09-23: 8.0 µg/m³2026-09-24: 15.3 µg/m³2026-09-25: 19.6 µg/m³2026-09-26: 10.2 µg/m³2026-09-27: 11.0 µg/m³2026-09-28: 15.9 µg/m³2026-09-29: 14.0 µg/m³2026-09-30: 9.8 µg/m³2026-10-01: 11.4 µg/m³Gurugram2 days #12026-09-02: 48.7 µg/m³2026-09-03: 46.3 µg/m³2026-09-04: 30.4 µg/m³2026-09-05: 28.9 µg/m³2026-09-06: 33.2 µg/m³2026-09-07: 45.1 µg/m³2026-09-08: 28.8 µg/m³2026-09-09: 52.3 µg/m³2026-09-10: 82.9 µg/m³2026-09-11: 66.4 µg/m³2026-09-12: 33.5 µg/m³2026-09-13: 24.3 µg/m³2026-09-14: 38.2 µg/m³2026-09-15: 44.2 µg/m³2026-09-16: 31.0 µg/m³2026-09-17: 33.4 µg/m³2026-09-18: 34.3 µg/m³2026-09-19: 111.0 µg/m³, #102026-09-20: 122.9 µg/m³, #92026-09-21: 160.5 µg/m³2026-09-22: 165.1 µg/m³, #42026-09-23: 170.0 µg/m³, #12026-09-24: 112.2 µg/m³, #22026-09-25: 47.2 µg/m³2026-09-26: 57.0 µg/m³2026-09-27: 60.9 µg/m³2026-09-28: 104.0 µg/m³, #12026-09-29: 20.5 µg/m³Kinshasa2 days #12026-09-02: 70.1 µg/m³2026-09-03: 43.2 µg/m³2026-09-04: 73.1 µg/m³2026-09-05: 51.9 µg/m³2026-09-06: 78.5 µg/m³2026-09-07: 111.2 µg/m³2026-09-08: 138.0 µg/m³2026-09-09: 58.3 µg/m³2026-09-10: 70.7 µg/m³2026-09-11: 83.0 µg/m³2026-09-12: 70.9 µg/m³2026-09-14: 86.5 µg/m³2026-09-15: 102.1 µg/m³2026-09-16: 51.1 µg/m³2026-09-17: 56.0 µg/m³2026-09-18: 72.4 µg/m³2026-09-19: 71.9 µg/m³2026-09-20: 73.4 µg/m³2026-09-21: 71.2 µg/m³2026-09-23: 113.0 µg/m³, #32026-09-24: 151.0 µg/m³, #12026-09-25: 114.0 µg/m³, #12026-09-26: 65.6 µg/m³2026-09-27: 50.1 µg/m³2026-09-28: 58.2 µg/m³2026-09-30: 75.5 µg/m³, #42026-10-01: 48.5 µg/m³Gujranwala2 days #12026-09-02: 48.3 µg/m³2026-09-03: 50.9 µg/m³2026-09-04: 45.9 µg/m³2026-09-05: 63.5 µg/m³2026-09-06: 51.0 µg/m³2026-09-07: 69.1 µg/m³2026-09-08: 80.0 µg/m³2026-09-09: 65.9 µg/m³2026-09-10: 49.4 µg/m³2026-09-11: 58.0 µg/m³2026-09-12: 59.6 µg/m³2026-09-13: 77.4 µg/m³, #72026-09-14: 46.7 µg/m³2026-09-15: 45.1 µg/m³2026-09-16: 55.2 µg/m³2026-09-17: 34.1 µg/m³2026-09-18: 46.2 µg/m³2026-09-19: 89.2 µg/m³2026-09-20: 87.6 µg/m³2026-09-21: 130.0 µg/m³2026-09-22: 108.5 µg/m³, #62026-09-23: 104.0 µg/m³, #42026-09-24: 96.4 µg/m³, #52026-09-25: 83.0 µg/m³, #62026-09-26: 67.8 µg/m³, #102026-09-27: 105.5 µg/m³, #12026-09-28: 53.9 µg/m³2026-09-29: 52.5 µg/m³2026-09-30: 81.0 µg/m³, #32026-10-01: 104.0 µg/m³, #1Yesan1 day #12026-09-02: 1,270.0 µg/m³, #12026-09-03: 21.0 µg/m³2026-09-04: 7.9 µg/m³2026-09-05: 7.7 µg/m³2026-09-06: 6.2 µg/m³2026-09-07: 8.9 µg/m³2026-09-08: 16.4 µg/m³2026-09-09: 840.0 µg/m³, #62026-09-10: 7.9 µg/m³2026-09-11: 11.0 µg/m³2026-09-12: 22.2 µg/m³2026-09-13: 26.0 µg/m³2026-09-14: 21.9 µg/m³2026-09-15: 11.3 µg/m³2026-09-16: 13.3 µg/m³2026-09-17: 7.6 µg/m³2026-09-18: 840.0 µg/m³, #62026-09-19: 9.9 µg/m³2026-09-20: 14.0 µg/m³2026-09-21: 17.9 µg/m³2026-09-22: 17.3 µg/m³2026-09-23: 19.3 µg/m³2026-09-24: 19.6 µg/m³2026-09-25: 20.5 µg/m³2026-09-26: 10.7 µg/m³2026-09-27: 13.3 µg/m³2026-09-28: 17.0 µg/m³2026-09-29: 18.6 µg/m³2026-09-30: 17.2 µg/m³2026-10-01: 5.8 µg/m³Gaigeturi1 day #12026-09-02: 1,260.0 µg/m³, #52026-09-03: 1,260.0 µg/m³, #12026-09-04: 632.0 µg/m³, #62026-09-05: 5.5 µg/m³2026-09-06: 8.5 µg/m³2026-09-07: 12.3 µg/m³2026-09-08: 9.8 µg/m³2026-09-09: 425.3 µg/m³2026-09-10: 5.7 µg/m³2026-09-11: 215.0 µg/m³2026-09-12: 7.8 µg/m³2026-09-13: 6.6 µg/m³2026-09-14: 1,260.0 µg/m³, #22026-09-15: 8.6 µg/m³2026-09-16: 9.5 µg/m³2026-09-17: 628.3 µg/m³2026-09-18: 5.7 µg/m³2026-09-19: 8.2 µg/m³2026-09-20: 6.8 µg/m³2026-09-21: 11.7 µg/m³2026-09-22: 8.4 µg/m³2026-09-23: 6.3 µg/m³2026-09-24: 9.3 µg/m³2026-09-25: 9.7 µg/m³2026-09-26: 5.5 µg/m³2026-09-27: 3.7 µg/m³2026-09-28: 6.7 µg/m³2026-09-29: 5.6 µg/m³2026-09-30: 7.3 µg/m³2026-10-01: 6.4 µg/m³Yecheon1 day #12026-09-02: 421.0 µg/m³2026-09-03: 6.3 µg/m³2026-09-04: 1,260.0 µg/m³, #12026-09-05: 5.0 µg/m³2026-09-06: 7.6 µg/m³2026-09-07: 10.0 µg/m³2026-09-08: 10.3 µg/m³2026-09-09: 5.7 µg/m³2026-09-10: 5.8 µg/m³2026-09-11: 7.4 µg/m³2026-09-12: 9.0 µg/m³2026-09-13: 11.3 µg/m³2026-09-15: 14.5 µg/m³2026-09-16: 843.0 µg/m³2026-09-17: 5.9 µg/m³2026-09-18: 8.4 µg/m³2026-09-19: 8.1 µg/m³2026-09-20: 7.9 µg/m³2026-09-21: 12.0 µg/m³2026-09-22: 9.8 µg/m³2026-09-23: 8.3 µg/m³2026-09-24: 15.3 µg/m³2026-09-25: 17.8 µg/m³2026-09-26: 9.2 µg/m³2026-09-27: 8.5 µg/m³2026-09-28: 12.2 µg/m³2026-09-29: 10.0 µg/m³2026-09-30: 10.9 µg/m³2026-10-01: 8.4 µg/m³Cheorwon1 day #12026-09-02: 427.0 µg/m³2026-09-03: 13.0 µg/m³2026-09-04: 10.4 µg/m³2026-09-05: 1,260.0 µg/m³, #12026-09-06: 5.6 µg/m³2026-09-07: 1,050.5 µg/m³, #32026-09-08: 12.5 µg/m³2026-09-09: 217.2 µg/m³2026-09-10: 8.4 µg/m³2026-09-11: 11.2 µg/m³2026-09-12: 16.8 µg/m³2026-09-13: 17.5 µg/m³2026-09-14: 19.3 µg/m³2026-09-15: 13.5 µg/m³2026-09-16: 12.4 µg/m³2026-09-17: 11.4 µg/m³2026-09-18: 218.6 µg/m³2026-09-19: 12.4 µg/m³2026-09-20: 13.7 µg/m³2026-09-21: 224.2 µg/m³2026-09-22: 20.0 µg/m³2026-09-23: 18.5 µg/m³2026-09-24: 19.9 µg/m³2026-09-25: 12.5 µg/m³2026-09-26: 7.7 µg/m³2026-09-27: 15.8 µg/m³2026-09-28: 16.9 µg/m³2026-09-29: 12.5 µg/m³2026-09-30: 15.5 µg/m³2026-10-01: 9.5 µg/m³T’aebaek1 day #12026-09-02: 419.0 µg/m³2026-09-03: 3.7 µg/m³2026-09-04: 3.3 µg/m³2026-09-05: 2.3 µg/m³2026-09-06: 4.1 µg/m³2026-09-07: 1,260.0 µg/m³, #12026-09-08: 4.4 µg/m³2026-09-09: 3.1 µg/m³2026-09-10: 2.7 µg/m³2026-09-11: 3.0 µg/m³2026-09-12: 3.5 µg/m³2026-09-13: 8.5 µg/m³2026-09-14: 11.1 µg/m³2026-09-15: 9.0 µg/m³2026-09-16: 7.3 µg/m³2026-09-17: 3.1 µg/m³2026-09-18: 3.5 µg/m³2026-09-19: 5.0 µg/m³2026-09-20: 6.3 µg/m³2026-09-21: 6.9 µg/m³2026-09-22: 5.4 µg/m³2026-09-23: 4.6 µg/m³2026-09-24: 10.0 µg/m³2026-09-25: 9.3 µg/m³2026-09-26: 4.4 µg/m³2026-09-27: 4.4 µg/m³2026-09-28: 8.6 µg/m³2026-09-29: 4.8 µg/m³2026-09-30: 7.6 µg/m³2026-10-01: 9.0 µg/m³Sep 2Oct 1
Every city that was the world's most polluted on at least one of the last 30 days. Filled square: #1 that day; ring: in the top 10; dot: measured but lower. Each city's own local day.

The world's air, last 30 days

2026-09-02: 132 of 2638 cities very high (5%)2026-09-02: 6 of 2638 cities high (0%)2026-09-02: 47 of 2638 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-02: 2453 of 2638 cities low (93%)Sep 22026-09-03: 29 of 2661 cities very high (1%)2026-09-03: 12 of 2661 cities high (0%)2026-09-03: 49 of 2661 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-03: 2571 of 2661 cities low (97%)2026-09-04: 21 of 2654 cities very high (1%)2026-09-04: 15 of 2654 cities high (1%)2026-09-04: 42 of 2654 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-04: 2576 of 2654 cities low (97%)2026-09-05: 20 of 2665 cities very high (1%)2026-09-05: 10 of 2665 cities high (0%)2026-09-05: 31 of 2665 cities moderate (1%)2026-09-05: 2604 of 2665 cities low (98%)2026-09-06: 22 of 2454 cities very high (1%)2026-09-06: 5 of 2454 cities high (0%)2026-09-06: 47 of 2454 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-06: 2380 of 2454 cities low (97%)2026-09-07: 30 of 2634 cities very high (1%)2026-09-07: 18 of 2634 cities high (1%)2026-09-07: 57 of 2634 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-07: 2529 of 2634 cities low (96%)Sep 72026-09-08: 21 of 2595 cities very high (1%)2026-09-08: 21 of 2595 cities high (1%)2026-09-08: 61 of 2595 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-08: 2492 of 2595 cities low (96%)2026-09-09: 39 of 2629 cities very high (1%)2026-09-09: 24 of 2629 cities high (1%)2026-09-09: 63 of 2629 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-09: 2503 of 2629 cities low (95%)2026-09-10: 33 of 2575 cities very high (1%)2026-09-10: 17 of 2575 cities high (1%)2026-09-10: 70 of 2575 cities moderate (3%)2026-09-10: 2455 of 2575 cities low (95%)2026-09-11: 36 of 2408 cities very high (1%)2026-09-11: 14 of 2408 cities high (1%)2026-09-11: 62 of 2408 cities moderate (3%)2026-09-11: 2296 of 2408 cities low (95%)2026-09-12: 13 of 2483 cities very high (1%)2026-09-12: 12 of 2483 cities high (0%)2026-09-12: 53 of 2483 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-12: 2405 of 2483 cities low (97%)2026-09-13: 8 of 2299 cities very high (0%)2026-09-13: 17 of 2299 cities high (1%)2026-09-13: 56 of 2299 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-13: 2218 of 2299 cities low (96%)2026-09-14: 26 of 2453 cities very high (1%)2026-09-14: 7 of 2453 cities high (0%)2026-09-14: 50 of 2453 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-14: 2370 of 2453 cities low (97%)Sep 142026-09-15: 29 of 2548 cities very high (1%)2026-09-15: 11 of 2548 cities high (0%)2026-09-15: 65 of 2548 cities moderate (3%)2026-09-15: 2443 of 2548 cities low (96%)2026-09-16: 44 of 2623 cities very high (2%)2026-09-16: 20 of 2623 cities high (1%)2026-09-16: 64 of 2623 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-16: 2495 of 2623 cities low (95%)2026-09-17: 29 of 2605 cities very high (1%)2026-09-17: 15 of 2605 cities high (1%)2026-09-17: 63 of 2605 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-17: 2498 of 2605 cities low (96%)2026-09-18: 25 of 2687 cities very high (1%)2026-09-18: 13 of 2687 cities high (0%)2026-09-18: 43 of 2687 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-18: 2606 of 2687 cities low (97%)2026-09-19: 26 of 2687 cities very high (1%)2026-09-19: 15 of 2687 cities high (1%)2026-09-19: 65 of 2687 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-19: 2581 of 2687 cities low (96%)2026-09-20: 26 of 2423 cities very high (1%)2026-09-20: 23 of 2423 cities high (1%)2026-09-20: 49 of 2423 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-20: 2325 of 2423 cities low (96%)2026-09-21: 48 of 2553 cities very high (2%)2026-09-21: 24 of 2553 cities high (1%)2026-09-21: 64 of 2553 cities moderate (3%)2026-09-21: 2417 of 2553 cities low (95%)Sep 212026-09-22: 30 of 2629 cities very high (1%)2026-09-22: 26 of 2629 cities high (1%)2026-09-22: 76 of 2629 cities moderate (3%)2026-09-22: 2497 of 2629 cities low (95%)2026-09-23: 26 of 2686 cities very high (1%)2026-09-23: 32 of 2686 cities high (1%)2026-09-23: 56 of 2686 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-23: 2572 of 2686 cities low (96%)2026-09-24: 21 of 2702 cities very high (1%)2026-09-24: 22 of 2702 cities high (1%)2026-09-24: 68 of 2702 cities moderate (3%)2026-09-24: 2591 of 2702 cities low (96%)2026-09-25: 12 of 2660 cities very high (0%)2026-09-25: 10 of 2660 cities high (0%)2026-09-25: 50 of 2660 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-25: 2588 of 2660 cities low (97%)2026-09-26: 5 of 2667 cities very high (0%)2026-09-26: 22 of 2667 cities high (1%)2026-09-26: 36 of 2667 cities moderate (1%)2026-09-26: 2604 of 2667 cities low (98%)2026-09-27: 9 of 2558 cities very high (0%)2026-09-27: 12 of 2558 cities high (0%)2026-09-27: 32 of 2558 cities moderate (1%)2026-09-27: 2505 of 2558 cities low (98%)2026-09-28: 8 of 2637 cities very high (0%)2026-09-28: 14 of 2637 cities high (1%)2026-09-28: 55 of 2637 cities moderate (2%)2026-09-28: 2560 of 2637 cities low (97%)Sep 282026-09-29: 5 of 2672 cities very high (0%)2026-09-29: 16 of 2672 cities high (1%)2026-09-29: 69 of 2672 cities moderate (3%)2026-09-29: 2582 of 2672 cities low (97%)2026-09-30: 5 of 2422 cities very high (0%)2026-09-30: 8 of 2422 cities high (0%)2026-09-30: 20 of 2422 cities moderate (1%)2026-09-30: 2389 of 2422 cities low (99%)2026-10-01: 4 of 1464 cities very high (0%)2026-10-01: 5 of 1464 cities high (0%)2026-10-01: 17 of 1464 cities moderate (1%)2026-10-01: 1438 of 1464 cities low (98%)Oct 1
Each day's ranked cities split by band, worst at the top: a taller red and purple share means a worse day for more of the world, not just one city.

Climbing fastest

Movement shows once the board is a day old.

Cleanest air

Cities with reference monitors only.

What's missing

We rank only cities whose monitor data we're allowed to reuse. The government monitoring networks of China and Turkey publish no terms that allow this, so we leave them out: most cities there are missing here, not clean. The few of their cities that appear are measured by community low-cost sensors, tagged as such. Why.

Use this board

SmogRank, most polluted cities, PM2.5, this year to 2 Oct 2026, 07:00 UTC, smogrank.com/?w=year.

Download top 10 (PNG)

You're welcome to reuse a single chart, image or figure with this citation and a link. Terms.

Updated 2026-10-02 07:07 UTC. Values are PM2.5 (fine particles), the median of each city's monitors, as the UK DAQI PM2.5 sub-index.