By one current gross leasable area (GLA) compilation, Iran Mall in Tehran ranks first, with 1,950,000 square meters of reported GLA. That is a source-specific ranking, not a universally agreed record: Guinness World Records names New South China Mall the largest by available retail space, while another ranking gives a different top ten. The list below follows the current GLA compilation and preserves its reported figures and tie.
How this ranking measures mall size
This list orders malls by the GLA reported in a current compilation—not by total building area, footprint, or the combined floor area of every structure on a site. GLA is space available for lease to tenants; the compilation says it excludes shared areas such as hallways, atriums, restrooms, and service corridors. Those other measurements are not interchangeable, so a mall can have a larger total building area than its reported GLA.
The figures below are the compilation’s reported measurements, not independently verified operator measurements. Rankings also depend on scope: for example, the source says Central WestGate’s figure includes 500,000 m² for the mall and 50,278 m² for IKEA. View the GLA compilation and its measurement notes at the source table.
Largest shopping malls in the world by reported GLA
| Rank | Mall | Reported GLA | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran Mall | 1,950,000 m² | Tehran, Iran |
| 2 | The Avenues Mall | 1,200,000 m² | Kuwait City, Kuwait |
| 3 | IOI City Mall | 821,000 m² | Putrajaya, Malaysia |
| 4 | Isfahan City Center | 776,000 m² | Isfahan, Iran |
| 5 | South China Mall | 659,612 m² | Dongguan, China |
| 6 | SM Mall of Asia | 589,891 m² | Pasay, Philippines |
| 7 | SM City Tianjin | 565,000 m² | Tianjin, China |
| 8 | Golden Resources Mall | 557,419 m² | Beijing, China |
| 9 | Central WestGate | 550,278 m² | Nonthaburi, Thailand |
| 10 (tie) | CentralWorld | 550,000 m² | Bangkok, Thailand |
| 10 (tie) | Iraq Mall | 550,000 m² | Baghdad, Iraq |
CentralWorld and Iraq Mall tie at 550,000 m² in the compilation. Including both makes this a ten-rank list with eleven entries; excluding either would hide the tie. The compilation gives no basis here for ordering the two. It also does not independently establish Iraq Mall’s operating status as of October 2026.
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Why published rankings disagree
Guinness names a different record holder
Guinness World Records identifies New South China Mall as the largest shopping mall by GLA, reporting 600,153 m² (6.4 million ft²) of available retail space and an opening year of 2005. The GLA compilation above instead ranks Iran Mall first and assigns South China Mall 659,612 m². These claims use different figures and produce different winners; they should not be blended into a single agreed measurement.
A separate top-ten list differs in both order and membership
A ranking page updated August 22, 2026, says it uses recent data and the most conservative verified estimates, and elsewhere describes its figures as the latest available as of 2025. Its list includes Iran Mall, IOI City Mall, South China Mall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Tianjin, Golden Resources Mall, CentralWorld, ICONSIAM, Isfahan City Center, and 1 Utama. It reports areas in square feet, including 21 million for Iran Mall, 15.4 million for IOI City Mall, 13.9 million for South China Mall, 13.5 million for SM Mall of Asia, and 9.5 million for CentralWorld. Its different order and membership underscore that there is no single top ten established by the sources cited here. See that ranking and its stated methodology.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which is the largest shopping mall in the world?
The answer depends on which source and area definition you use. In the current GLA compilation used for the table here, Iran Mall is largest at a reported 1,950,000 m². Guinness World Records names New South China Mall, at 600,153 m² of available retail space. Because the published figures and rankings conflict, neither claim should be presented as an uncontested worldwide consensus.
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What to check when comparing mall sizes
- Area measure: Check whether the figure is GLA, available retail space, or total floor area. The compilation’s GLA definition excludes common and service areas.
- Source and date: Treat rankings as source-specific; the cited pages report materially different numbers and lists.
- Included structures: Find out whether an adjacent retail building or store is counted. Central WestGate’s source figure includes IKEA.
- Equal figures: Keep a tie where the source reports one rather than imposing an unsupported order.
- Operating status: A published area or ranking alone does not verify that a mall is currently operating; the compilation does not establish Iraq Mall’s status.
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