List of wars by death toll


This list of wars by death toll includes all deaths that are either directly or indirectly caused by the war. These numbers usually include the deaths of military personnel which are the direct results of battle or other military wartime actions, as well as the wartime/war-related deaths of soldiers which are the results of war-induced epidemics, famines, atrocities, genocide, etc.

Pre-Modern

Ancient wars

WarDeath
range		DateCombatantsLocationNotes
Conquests of Cyrus the Great100,000+549 BC–530 BCPersian Empire vs. various statesMiddle EastNumber given is the sum of all deaths in battle recorded by writers during this time period, does not take into account civilian deaths, the actual number may be much greater.
Greco–Persian Wars73,800+499 BC–449 BCGreek City-States vs. Persian EmpireGreece
Samnite Wars33,500+343 BC–290 BCRoman Republic vs. SamnitesItalyNumber given is the sum of all deaths in battle recorded by Roman writers during this time period, does not take into account civilian deaths, the actual number may be much greater.
Wars of Alexander the Great142,000+336 BC–323 BCMacedonian Empire and other Greek City-States vs. various statesMiddle East / North Africa / Central Asia / IndiaNumber given is the sum of all deaths in battle during these wars recorded by Greek writers, does not take into account civilian deaths, the actual number may be much greater.
Punic Wars1,250,000–1,850,000264 BC–146 BCRoman Republic vs. Carthaginian EmpireWestern Europe / North Africa
First Punic War400,000+264 BC–241 BCRoman Republic vs. Carthaginian EmpireSouthern Europe / North Africa– Part of the Punic Wars
Second Punic War770,000+218 BC–201 BCRoman Republic vs. Carthaginian EmpireWestern Europe / North Africa– Part of the Punic Wars
Third Punic War150,000–250,000149 BC–146 BCRoman Republic vs. Carthaginian EmpireTunisia– Part of the Punic Wars
Kalinga War150,000–200,000
262 BC–261 BCMaurya Empire vs. State of KalingaIndia
Qin's Wars of Unification700,000+230 BC–221 BCQin state vs. Han, Zhou, Yan, Wei, Chu, Qi StatesChina– Part of Warring States Period
Cimbrian War410,000–650,000113 BC–101 BCRoman Empire vs. Cimbri and TeutonesWestern Europe– Part of the Germanic Wars
Gallic Wars1,000,000+58 BC–50 BCRoman Republic vs. Gallic tribesFrance
Iceni Revolt150,000+60–61Roman Empire vs. Celtic tribesEnglandYear is uncertain – Part of the Roman Conquest of Britain
Jewish–Roman Wars1,270,000-2,000,00066–136Roman Empire vs. JewsMiddle East/North AfricaDeaths caused by Roman attempt to permanently root out Judaism included.
First Jewish–Roman War250,000–1,100,00066–73Roman Empire vs. JewsMiddle East– Part of Jewish–Roman Wars
Kitos War440,000+115–117Roman Empire vs. JewsSouthern Europe / North Africa– Also known as the Second Jewish–Roman War
– Part of Jewish–Roman Wars
Bar Kokhba Revolt580,000132–136Roman Empire vs. JewsMiddle East– Also known as the Third Jewish–Roman War
– Part of Jewish–Roman Wars
Gothic War 320,000+269Roman Empire vs. GothsEuropeClaudius II defeated the Goths, of whom 320,000 were slain. This number is from the Historia Augusta. – Part of the Germanic Wars
Probus's German War400,000+277Roman Empire vs. GermansEuropeEmperor Probus informed the Senate that he had killed 400,000 Germans. From the Historia Augusta. – Part of the Germanic Wars
Gothic War 40,000+376–382Roman Empire vs. GothsEastern Europe– Part of the Germanic Wars
Three Kingdoms War36,000,000–40,000,000184–280Wei vs. Shu Vs. WuChina– Academically, the period of the Three Kingdoms refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the conquest of the state of Wu by the Jin dynasty in 280. The earlier, "unofficial" part of the period, from 184 to 220, was marked by chaotic infighting between warlords in various parts of China.
See: End of the Han Dynasty
Yellow Turban Rebellion3,000,000–7,000,000184–205Peasants vs. Eastern Han ChinaChina– Part of Three Kingdoms War
Wars of the Sixteen Kingdoms150,000+
304–439Northern Chinese StatesNorthern ChinaNumber given is the sum of all deaths in battle recorded in this time period in battles between armies of the Sixteen Kingdoms, does not take into account civilian deaths, the actual number may be much greater.
Hunnic Invasions165,000+
395–453Roman Empire vs. Hunnic tribesEuropeNumber given is the sum of all deaths in battle recorded by Roman writers during this time period, does not take into account civilian deaths, the actual number may be much greater.

Note 1: The geometric mean is the middle of the quoted range, taken by multiplying together the endpoints and then taking the square root.

Medieval wars

'Note: the identity of a single "war" cannot be reliably given in some cases, and some "wars" can be taken to last over more than a human lifetime, e.g.
"Reconquista"
"Muslim conquests in India"
"Crusades",
"Mongol conquests",
"early Muslim conquests",
"Hundred Years' War".
WarDeath
range		DateCombatantsLocationNotes
Moorish Wars5,000,000+534–548Moors vs. Byzantine EmpireNorth Africa
Arab–Byzantine Wars130,000+629–1050Byzantine Empire and allies vs. Islamic Empire and AlliesMiddle East / North Africa / Southern EuropeNumber given is the sum of all deaths in battle recorded by writers during this time period, does not take into account civilian deaths, the actual number may be much greater.
Reconquista7,000,000+711–1492Spanish and Portuguese states vs. Muslim statesIberian Peninsula
Goguryeo–Sui War300,000+598-614Sui Dynasty China and Goguryeo KingdomChina, Korea
An Lushan Rebellion13,000,000–36,000,000755–763Tang Dynasty China and Islamic Empire vs. Yan stateChina– Also known as the An–Shi Rebellion
Goryeo–Khitan Wars90,000+993–1019Liao Empire vs. Goryeo KingdomKorea
Lý–Song War600,000+1075–1077Song Empire vs. Dai Viet Kingdom under Lý dynastyChina, Vietnam
Crusades1,000,000–3,000,0001095–1291Originally Byzantine Empire vs. Seljuq Empire, but evolved into Christians vs. Muslims.Europe / Middle East
Albigensian Crusade200,000–1,000,0001208–1229Papal States and France vs. Cathartic StatesFrance– Also known as the Cathar Crusade
– Part of the Crusades
Mongol conquests30,000,000–40,000,0001206–1368Mongol Empire vs. Several Eurasian statesEurasia– Excludes the 200,000,000 deaths from the Black Death migration that may have been associated with the Mongol expansion
Wars of Scottish Independence60,000-150,0001296–1357Scotland vs. EnglandScotland / England
Hundred Years' War2,300,000–3,300,0001337–1453House of Valois vs. House of PlantagenetWestern Europe
Conquests of Timur8,000,000–20,000,0001370–1405Timurid Empire vs. several middle eastern statesEurasia
Wars of the Roses35,000–50,0001455–1487House of Lancaster, House of Tudor, and allies vs. House of York and alliesEngland / Wales

Modern

Modern wars with greater than 25,000 deaths by death toll

WarDeath
range		DateCombatantsLocationNotes
Italian Wars300,000–400,0001494–1559Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and some Italian States vs. France, Ottoman Empire, and some Italian statesSouthern Europe– Also known as the Great Wars of Italy
Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire24,300,000+1519–1632Spanish Colonial Empire vs. Aztec EmpireMexico– Part of the European colonization of the Americas, includes the cocoliztli plagues
Spanish conquest of Yucatán1,460,000+1519–1595Spanish Colonial Empire vs. Mayan StatesNorth America– Part of the European colonisation of the Americas, includes deaths due to European disease
Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire8,400,000+1533–1572Spanish Colonial Empire vs. Inca EmpirePeru– Part of the European colonization of the Americas, includes deaths due to European diseases
Campaigns of Suleiman the Magnificent200,000+1521–1566Ottoman Empire vs. several Balkan, African, and Arabian StatesEastern Europe / Middle East / North Africa
German Peasants' War100,000+1524–1525German Peasants vs. Swabian LeagueGermany– Also known as the Great Peasants War
French Wars of Religion2,000,000–4,000,0001562–1598Protestants vs. France vs. CatholicsFrance– Also known as the Huguenot Wars
Eighty Years' War600,000–700,0001568–1648Dutch Republic, England, Scotland, and France vs. Spanish EmpireWorldwide– Also known as the Dutch War of Independence
Anglo-Spanish War 138,285+1585–1604Spanish Empire and allies vs. Kingdom of England and alliesEurope / AmericasEnglish
88,285
Scots/Irish
50,000
Japanese invasions of Korea1,000,000+1592–1598Kingdom of Great Joseon and Ming China vs. JapanKorea
Transition from Ming to Qing25,000,000+1616–1683Qing China vs. Ming China vs. Shun dynasty China vs. Xi dynasty China vs. Evenk-Daur federation China– Also known as the Ming–Qing transition
Thirty Years' War4,000,000–12,000,0001618–1648Pro-Habsburg states vs. Anti-Habsburg statesEurope
Franco-Spanish War 200,000+1635–1659France and Allies vs. Spain and AlliesWestern Europe
Wars of the Three Kingdoms876,000+1639–1651Royalists vs. Covenanters vs.Union of the Irish vs. Scottish Protestants vs. ParliamentariansBritish Isles– Also known as the British Civil Wars
English Civil War356,000–735,0001642–1651Royalists vs. ParliamentariansEngland– Part of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms
Mughal–Maratha Wars5,000,000+1658-1707Maratha empire vs. Mughal EmpireIndia-Bangladesh
Franco-Dutch War220,000+1672–1678France and allies vs. Dutch Republic and alliesWestern Europe– Also known as the Dutch War
Great Turkish War120,000+1683–1699Ottoman Empire vs. European Holy LeagueEastern Europe– Also known as the War of the Holy League
Great Northern War350,000+1700–1721Russia and allies vs. Swedish EmpireEastern EuropeSweden, the Swedish Baltic provinces, and Finland, together, with a population of only 2.5 million, lost some 350,000 dead during the war from all causes.
War of the Spanish Succession400,000–1,250,0001701–1714Grand Alliance vs. Bourbon AllianceEurope / Americas
Maratha expeditions in Bengal400,000+1741–1751Maratha Empire vs. Nawab of BengalIndia
Seven Years' War868,000–1,400,0001756–1763Great Britain and allies vs. France and AlliesWorldwide
Sino-Burmese War 70,000+1765–1769Burma vs. Qing ChinaSoutheast Asia– Also known as the Qing invasions of Burma
Tây Sơn rebellion1,200,000–2,000,000+1771–1802Tây Sơn rebels then dynasty and Chinese pirates vs Nguyễn lords, Trịnh lords, Lê dynasty of Vietnam; Siam; Qing dynasty of China; Kingdom of Vientiane; French army.Southeast Asia
American Revolutionary War37,324+1775–1783United States and allies vs. British Empire and German MercenariesWorldwide37,324 battle dead, all sides, all theaters. – Also known as the American War of Independence
French campaign in Egypt and Syria65,000+1798–1801France vs. Ottoman Empire and Great BritainMiddle East / North Africa
Saint-Domingue expedition135,000+1802–1803France vs. Haiti and UKHaiti
Napoleonic Wars3,500,000–7,000,0001803–1815Coalition powers vs. French empire and alliesWorldwideSee: Napoleonic Wars casualties
French invasion of Russia540,000+1812French Empire vs. RussiaRussia– Part of the Napoleonic Wars
Spanish American Wars of Independence600,000+1808–1833Spain and Portugal vs. American IndependentistsAmericas
Venezuelan War of Independence228,000+1810–1823Spain vs. Venezuelan statesVenezuela– Part of Spanish American Wars of Independence
Mfecane1,500,000–2,000,0001815–1840Ethnic communities in south AfricaSouthern Africa
Carlist Wars200,000+1820–1876Carlist Insurgents vs. SpainSpain
Greek War of Independence170,000+1821–1831Greek Revolutionaries vs. Ottoman EmpireGreeceThe war started between Greek Revolutionaries and the Ottoman Empire. The Greeks were later assisted by Russia, Great Britain, and France. The war led to the formation of modern Greece.
French conquest of Algeria480,000-1,000,0001830–1903France vs. Algerian resistanceAlgeriaThe war started between France and the Deylik of Algiers, which was an Ottoman vassal, but after the early capitulation of the Deylik, resistance was led by different groups.
Taiping Rebellion20,000,000-30,000,000, possibly many more.1850–1864Qing China vs. Taiping Heavenly KingdomChina– Also known as the Taiping Civil War
Crimean War356,000–410,0001853–1856Ottoman Empire and allies vs. RussiaCrimean PeninsulaOne of the first wider uses of rifles
Panthay Rebellion890,000–1,000,0001856–1873Qing China vs. HuiChina– Also known as the Du Wenxiu Rebellion
Indian Rebellion of 1857800,000–10,000,0001857–1858Sepoy Mutineers vs. British East India CompanyIndia– Also known as the Sepoy Mutiny or the Indian First War of Independence
American Civil War650,000–1,000,0001861–1865United States vs. Confederate StatesUSA
Dungan Revolt8,000,000–20,000,0001862–1877Qing China vs. Hui vs. KashgariaChina– Also known as the Tongzhi Hui Revolt
French intervention in Mexico49,287+1862–1867Mexican Republicans vs. France and Mexican EmpireMexico
Paraguayan War300,000–1,200,0001864–1870Triple alliance vs. ParaguaySouth America– Also known as the War of the Triple Alliance
Ten Years' War241,000+1868–1878Spain vs. CubaCuba– Also known as the Great War
Conquest of the Desert30,000–35,0001870s–1884Argentina vs. Mapuche peoplePatagonia
Aceh War97,000–107,0001873–1914Kingdom of the Netherlands vs. Aceh SultanateIndonesia– Also known as the Infidel War
First Sino–Japanese War48,311+1894–1895Qing China vs. JapanEast AsiaA large factor in the weakening of Qing China.
Cuban War of Independence362,000+1895–1898USA and Cuba vs. SpainCuba
Thousand Days' War120,000+1899–1902Colombian Conservatives vs. Colombian LiberalsColombia
South African War 73,000–90,0001899-1902United Kingdom and allies vs. South African Republic and Orange Free StateSouth Africa
Philippine–American War234,000+1899–1912Philippines vs. USAPhilippines– Also known as the Philippine War
Mexican Revolution500,000–2,000,0001910–1920Revolutionary Forces vs. Anti-Revolutionary ForcesMexico
Balkan Wars140,000+1912–1913see Balkan warsBalkan PeninsulaTh war restricted Ottoman control in Europe to territories around Istanbul
World War I16,000,000–40,000,000+ 1914–1918Allied Powers vs. Central PowersWorldwide– Also known as the Great War
Russian Civil War5,000,000–9,000,0001917–1922Red army and allies vs. White army and alliesRussia
Iraqi–Kurdish conflict138,800–320,1001918–2003Kurdistan/Iraqi Kurdistan and allies vs. Iraq and alliesIraq
Kurdish rebellions in Turkey100,000+1921–presentTurkey vs. Kurdish peopleMiddle East
Second Italo-Senussi War40,000+1923–1932Italy vs. Senussi OrderLibya
Chinese Civil War8,000,000–116920001927–1949ROC vs. PRCChina
Chaco War85,000–130,0001932–1935Bolivia vs. ParaguayGran Chaco
Second Italo-Ethiopian War278,000+1935–1936Ethiopian Empire vs. ItalyEthiopiaAccording to Italian government statistics, the Italians suffered 1,148 KIA, 125 DOW, and 31 MIA. According to the Ethiopian government, at least 275,000 Ethiopians died in the brief war. – Also known as the Second Italo–Abyssinian War
Spanish Civil War500,000–1,000,0001936–1939Nationalists vs. RepublicansSpain
Second Sino-Japanese War20,000,000–25,000,0001937–1945Republic of China and allies vs. JapanChina– Part of World War II
World War II56,125,000–85,000,0001939–1945Allied powers vs. Axis PowersWorldwide- Largest and deadliest war in history
Winter War153,736–194,8371939–1940Finland vs. Soviet UnionFinland– Part of World War II
Greco-Italian War27,000+1940–1941Greece vs. ItalySoutheast Europe– Part of World War II
Continuation War387,300+1941–1944Finland and Germany vs. Soviet UnionNorthern Europe– Part of World War II
Soviet–Japanese War33,420–95,7681945Soviet Union and Mongolia vs. JapanManchuria– Part of World War II
First Indochina War400,000+1946–1954France vs. Việt Minh, Lao Assara, and Khmer IssarakSoutheast Asia– Also known as the Indochina War
Greek Civil War158,000+1946–1949Greek Government army vs. DSEGreece
Malagasy Uprising11,342–89,0001947–1948France vs. Malagasy InsurgentsMadagascar
Kashmir Conflict80,000–110,0001947– presentIndia vs. PakistanNorth India / Pakistan
La Violencia192,700–194,7001948–1958Colombian Conservative Party vs. Colombian Liberal PartyColombia
Internal conflict in Myanmar130,000–250,0001948–presentMyanmar vs. Burmese Insurgent GroupsMyanmar
Arab–Israeli conflict116,074+1948–presentArab League vs. Israel and USAMiddle East
Indian annexation of Hyderabad29,000–242,0001948Dominion of India vs. HyderabadIndia– Also known as Operation Polo
Korean War1,500,000-4,500,0001950–1953South Korea and allies vs. North Korea and alliesKorea
Algerian War400,000-1,500,0001954–1962Algeria vs. FranceAlgeria– Also known as the Algerian War of Independence
Ethnic conflict in Nagaland34,000+1954–presentIndia and Myanmar vs. Naga PeopleNortheast India
Vietnam War2,400,000–4,300,0001955–1975South Vietnam and allies vs. North Vietnam and alliesVietnam– Also known as the Second Indochina War
First Sudanese Civil War500,000+1955–1972Sudan vs. South Sudanese RebelsSudan
Congo Crisis100,000+1960–1965DRC, USA, and Belgium vs. Simba and Kwilu RebelsCongo
Angolan War of Independence83,000–103,0001961–1974Angola vs. Portugal and South AfricaAngola
North Yemen Civil War100,000–200,0001962–1970Kingdom of Yemen and Saudi Arabia vs. Yemen Arab Republic and United Arab RepublicYemen
Mozambican War of Independence63,500–88,5001964–1974FRELIMO vs. PortugalMozambique
Insurgency in Northeast India25,000+1964–presentIndia and allies vs. Insurgent GroupsNortheast India
Colombian conflict220,000+1964–presentColombia and allies vs. Far Left guerillas and Far Right paramilitaresColombia
Nigerian Civil War1,000,000-3,000,0001967–1970Nigeria vs. BiafraNigeria– Also known as the Biafran War
Moro Conflict120,000+1969–2019Philippines vs. Jihadist Groups vs. BangsamoroPhilippines
CPP-NPA-NDF rebellion30,000–43,0001969–presentPhilippines vs. Communist Party of the PhilippinesPhilippines
Bangladesh Liberation War3,000,000+1971India and Bangladesh vs. PakistanBangladesh– Also known as the Bangladesh War of Independence
Ethiopian Civil War500,000–1,500,0001974–1991Derg, PEDR, and Cuba vs. Anti-Communist rebel groupsEthiopia
Angolan Civil War504,158+1975–2002MPLA vs. UNITAAngola
Lebanese Civil War120,000–150,0001975–1990various groupsLebanon
Insurgency in Laos100,000+1975–2007Laos and Vietnam vs. "Secret army" and Hmong peopleLaos
War in Afghanistan1,240,000–2,000,0001978–presentsee War in AfghanistanAfghanistan
Kurdish–Turkish conflict45,000+1978–presentTurkey vs. KCKMiddle East– Part of the Kurdish rebellions in Turkey
Soviet–Afghan War600,000–2,000,0001979–1989Soviet Union and Afghanistan vs. Insurgent groupsAfghanistan– Part of War in Afghanistan
Salvadoran Civil War70,000-80,0001979-1992El Salvador vs. FMLNEl Salvador
Iran–Iraq War289,000–1,100,0001980–1988Iran and allies vs. Iraq and alliesMiddle East
Internal conflict in Peru70,000+1980–presentPeru vs. PCP-SL and MRTAPeru
Ugandan Bush War100,000–500,0001981–1986ULNF and Tanzania vs. National Resistance ArmyUganda– Also known as the Luwero War
Second Sudanese Civil War1,000,000–2,000,0001983–2005Sudan vs. South Sudanese rebelsSudan
Sri Lankan Civil War80,000–100,0001983–2009Sri Lanka vs. Tamil TigersSri Lanka
Somali Civil War300,000–500,0001986–presentVarying Somali governments vs. insurgent groupsSomalia
Lord's Resistance Army insurgency100,000–500,0001987–presentLord's Resistance Army vs. Central African statesCentral Africa
Nagorno-Karabakh War38,000+1988–1994Artsakh and Armenia vs. Azerbaijan and alliesCaucasus region– Also known as the Artsakh Liberation War
Gulf War25,500–40,5001990–1991Iraq vs. Coalition ForcesIraq– Also known as the First Iraq War
Algerian Civil War44,000–200,0001991–2002Algeria vs. FIS loyalists vs. GIAAlgeria
Bosnian War97,000–105,0001991–1995Bosnia and Herzegovinian governments and allies vs. Republika Srpska and alliesBosnia
1991 Iraqi Civil War85,000–235,0001991Iraq vs various rebelsIraq– Also known as the Sha'aban Intifada
Sierra Leone Civil War50,000-300,0001991-2002see Sierra Leone Civil WarSierra Leone
Burundian Civil War300,000+1993–2005Burundi vs. Hutu rebels vs. Tutsi rebelsBurundi
Rwandan genocide800,000April – July 1994Hutu people vs. Tutsi RebelsRwanda
First Congo War250,000–800,0001996–1997Zaire and allies vs. AFDL and alliesCongo
Second Congo War2,500,000–5,400,0001998–2003See Second Congo WarCentral Africa– Also known as the Great War of Africa
Ituri conflict60,000+1999–2003Lendu Tribe vs. Hemu Tribe and alliesCongo– Part of the Second Congo War
War on Terror272,000–1,260,0002001–presentAnti-Terrorist Forces vs. Terrorist groupsWorldwide– Also known as the Global War on Terrorism
War in Afghanistan 47,000–62,0002001–presentsee War in Afghanistan Afghanistan– Part of the War on Terror and War in Afghanistan
Iraq War405,000-654,9652003–2011See Iraq WarIraq– Also known as the Second Gulf War
– Part of the War on Terror
See: Casualties of the Iraq War
War in Darfur300,000+2003–presentSRF and allies vs. Sudan and allies vs. UNAMIDSudan
Kivu Conflict100,000+2004–presentsee Kivu ConflictCongo– Part of the Second Congo War
War in North-West Pakistan45,900–79,0002004–2017Pakistan, USA, and UK vs. Terrorist groupsPakistan– Also known as the War in Waziristan
– Part of the War on Terror and War in Afghanistan
Mexican Drug War150,000-250,0002006–presentMexico vs. Drug cartelsMexico– Also known as the Mexican War on Drugs
Boko Haram insurgency51,567+2009–presentMultinational Joint Task Force vs. Boko HaramNigeria2,400,000 internally displaced
Syrian Civil War570,000+2011–presentSyrian Arab Republic vs. Republic of Syria vs. ISIL vs. Syrian Democratic ForcesSyriaSee: Casualties of the Syrian civil war
Iraqi Civil War 195,000-200,000+2014–2017Iraq and allies vs. ISILIraq
Yemeni Civil War112,000+2015-presentYemen’s Supreme Political Council Vs Hadi Government and Saudi-led CoalitionYemen

Modern wars with fewer than 25,000 deaths by death toll

Works cited

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