how much of earth is covered in water

About 71% of Earth’s surface is covered in water, mostly in the oceans.

Quick Scoop

• Around 71% of the planet’s surface area is water-covered.

• Only about 29% is land sticking above that global “water blanket.”

• Roughly 97% of all that water is salty ocean water, not directly drinkable.

• Only about 3% is freshwater, and most of that is locked up in ice or stored underground.

So when people ask “how much of Earth is covered in water,” the headline answer is: about 71% of Earth’s surface is water, mainly salty oceans.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.