Interactive · Earth science

Water Scale Explorer

There's a lot of water on Earth. Almost none of it is water you could drink. Tap into the beaker below to see exactly where it all goes.

All the water on Earth

    Tap a slice of the beaker to learn what it is.

    Figures are approximate, rounded for clarity, and based on commonly cited USGS / UNESCO water-distribution estimates.

    Put it in perspective

    Imagine every drop of water on Earth filling a 4-litre jug. Almost all of it — oceans, ice, deep groundwater — you'd never touch. The water in lakes and rivers you could actually drink or farm with? Roughly one teaspoon out of the whole jug.

    Quick check

    Three questions. No pressure.