Amazon River facts at a glance
The Amazon rises in the Peruvian Andes and crosses the continent to the Atlantic. It carries more water than any other river, which makes it the greatest river by flow. How long it is, and whether it is longer than the Nile, depends on how you measure. Most numbers below are orders of magnitude and not exact values, so read the notes next to each one.
If you want to see the river rather than read about it, our Amazon river cruise guide compares routes from Iquitos and Manaus.
Our pick: feel the scale of the river
Five days on a local boat from Manaus to Belém show how long the river really is.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Amazon River tours and cruises
Boat trips, lodge stays and cruises from Manaus, Iquitos and Leticia, with live prices and availability.
Amazon River facts: numbers and what they mean
Use each figure with its note.
| Fact | Figure | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Over 6,450 km, or 6,992 km | Depends on the source point and on which mouth channel you follow |
| Average discharge | About 200,000 m³/s | An order of magnitude, not a daily value |
| Peak discharge | More than 340,000 m³/s | At high water |
| Share of river flow to the oceans | Just under 20 percent | Not 20 percent of the world's fresh water |
| Depth, lower 1,450 km | 17 m on average, 124 m at most | Not a navigation depth |
| Basin | 6.1 million km² | Different ways to draw the basin give different areas |
| Bridges over the main river | None | The bridge at Manaus crosses the Rio Negro |
For most readers, the simplest way to quote the river is: greatest by flow, and between roughly 6,450 and 6,992 km long depending on the method.
How long is the Amazon River?
Two figures, two answers.
One measurement gives over 6,450 km and ranks the Nile longer. Another gives 6,992 km and ranks the Amazon longer, when the longest mouth channel is used. The two methods do not measure the same thing. The question is open, and the numbers do not name a winner.
Amazon River vs Nile
The Amazon is clearly ahead on flow. The Nile is the other contender for length, and our where is the Amazon River page shows the course the river takes from the Andes to the sea.
Where is the source of the Amazon River?
One range, several candidates.
The river rises in the Peruvian Andes. Which stream counts as the source is not settled. Candidates include the Mantaro, the Apurímac and the Marañón, and none of them is the final answer. The main hydrological source and the most distant headwater are two different criteria. They can point to different streams.
Amazon River depth and discharge
Big numbers with limits.
Discharge
The average is about 200,000 m³/s, and more than 340,000 m³/s at high water. Use it as a size comparison, not as a value for a given day.
Depth
For the lower 1,450 km the mean depth is 17 m, with a maximum of 124 m. It is not the depth a ship can use, and it is not a gauge reading.
Share of the sea inflow
The river supplies just under 20 percent of the river water that reaches the oceans. That is not 20 percent of the planet's fresh water.
Basin
The 6.1 million km² figure depends on the definition. The hydrographic, biogeographic and study areas differ, so do not merge them into one exact value.
Bridges and crossings
A common question with a precise answer.
As of 2026, no bridge crosses the main river. That does not mean the Amazon region has no bridges. The Ponte Jornalista Phelippe Daou at Manaus crosses the Rio Negro, near the Meeting of the Waters. To cross the main river you use a ferry or a boat. Our getting there page covers the practical routes.
Amazon River facts: frequently asked questions
How long is the Amazon River?
Length figures run from over 6,450 km to 6,992 km, depending on the measuring method. Treat the length as an open question and quote the range.
Is the Amazon longer than the Nile?
One measurement puts the Nile ahead, another puts the Amazon ahead. The answer depends on the method, so it is not settled.
Where does the Amazon River start?
In the Peruvian Andes. Which stream is the source is still debated, and the main hydrological source and the farthest headwater are different criteria.
How deep is the Amazon River?
In the lower 1,450 km the mean is 17 m and the maximum is 124 m. These are not navigation depths, and the depth changes along the river.
Is there a bridge over the Amazon River?
No bridge crosses the main river. The Manaus bridge crosses the Rio Negro, a tributary.
Is this an official Amazon River site?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not connected to any authority, reserve or tour operator.