Many new readers of the Quran ask the same question. How many Surahs are in the Quran? This is one of the most searched questions about the Holy Quran, and the answer is simple once you understand how the Quran is organized.
In this article, you will learn how many Surahs are in the Quran, what a Surah means, how Surahs are divided between Meccan and Medinan, and you will also get a full list of all Surahs with their meaning and number of verses.
How Many Surahs Are in the Quran
The Quran has 114 Surahs in total. Each Surah is a separate chapter of the Quran, and every Surah has its own name, its own number of verses, and its own place of revelation.
These 114 Surahs are not equal in length. Some Surahs are very long, with hundreds of verses, while others are very short, with only three or four verses. All 114 Surahs together make up the full text of the Quran, which contains more than six thousand verses.
Every Muslim who studies the Quran learns this number early, because it forms the base of how the Quran is read, memorized, and taught.
What Is a Surah in the Quran
A Surah is a chapter of the Quran. The word Surah comes from Arabic and it means a step or a stage, and over time it came to mean a section of the Quran with a clear beginning and end.
Each Surah is made up of smaller units called Ayahs, or verses. A Surah can have as few as three verses, like Surah Al Kawthar, or as many as two hundred eighty six verses, like Surah Al Baqarah.
Every Surah in the Quran, except one, begins with the phrase Bismillah ir Rahman ir Rahim, which means in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The one exception is Surah At Tawbah, which does not begin with this phrase.
Meccan and Medinan Surahs in the Quran
The Surahs in the Quran are also grouped by where they were revealed to Prophet Muhammad. This grouping helps scholars and students understand the message and tone of each Surah.
Meccan Surahs in the Quran
Meccan Surahs are the ones revealed in Mecca, before the migration to Medina. There are around 86 Meccan Surahs in the Quran. These Surahs usually focus on faith, the oneness of Allah, the Day of Judgment, and stories of earlier prophets. Meccan Surahs tend to have shorter verses and a strong rhythm, since they were often recited to a small group of early believers.
Medinan Surahs in the Quran
Medinan Surahs are the ones revealed after the migration to Medina. There are around 28 Medinan Surahs in the Quran. These Surahs often deal with laws, family matters, social rules, and guidance for building a community. Medinan Surahs usually have longer verses because they explain rules in more detail.
Together, Meccan and Medinan Surahs complete the full set of 114 Surahs in the Quran.
Full List of Surahs in the Quran
Below is the complete list of all Surahs in the Quran, with their English meaning, number of verses, and place of revelation.
| No. | Surah Name | English Meaning | Verses | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Fatiha | The Opening | 7 | Meccan |
| 2 | Al Baqarah | The Cow | 286 | Medinan |
| 3 | Aal e Imran | The Family of Imran | 200 | Medinan |
| 4 | An Nisa | The Women | 176 | Medinan |
| 5 | Al Maidah | The Table Spread | 120 | Medinan |
| 6 | Al Anam | The Cattle | 165 | Meccan |
| 7 | Al Araf | The Heights | 206 | Meccan |
| 8 | Al Anfal | The Spoils of War | 75 | Medinan |
| 9 | At Tawbah | The Repentance | 129 | Medinan |
| 10 | Yunus | Jonah | 109 | Meccan |
| 11 | Hud | Hud | 123 | Meccan |
| 12 | Yusuf | Joseph | 111 | Meccan |
| 13 | Ar Rad | The Thunder | 43 | Medinan |
| 14 | Ibrahim | Abraham | 52 | Meccan |
| 15 | Al Hijr | The Rocky Tract | 99 | Meccan |
| 16 | An Nahl | The Bee | 128 | Meccan |
| 17 | Al Isra | The Night Journey | 111 | Meccan |
| 18 | Al Kahf | The Cave | 110 | Meccan |
| 19 | Maryam | Mary | 98 | Meccan |
| 20 | Ta Ha | Ta Ha | 135 | Meccan |
| 21 | Al Anbiya | The Prophets | 112 | Meccan |
| 22 | Al Hajj | The Pilgrimage | 78 | Medinan |
| 23 | Al Muminun | The Believers | 118 | Meccan |
| 24 | An Nur | The Light | 64 | Medinan |
| 25 | Al Furqan | The Criterion | 77 | Meccan |
| 26 | Ash Shuara | The Poets | 227 | Meccan |
| 27 | An Naml | The Ant | 93 | Meccan |
| 28 | Al Qasas | The Stories | 88 | Meccan |
| 29 | Al Ankabut | The Spider | 69 | Meccan |
| 30 | Ar Rum | The Romans | 60 | Meccan |
| 31 | Luqman | Luqman | 34 | Meccan |
| 32 | As Sajda | The Prostration | 30 | Meccan |
| 33 | Al Ahzab | The Combined Forces | 73 | Medinan |
| 34 | Saba | Sheba | 54 | Meccan |
| 35 | Fatir | The Originator | 45 | Meccan |
| 36 | Ya Sin | Ya Sin | 83 | Meccan |
| 37 | As Saffat | Those Who Set the Ranks | 182 | Meccan |
| 38 | Sad | The Letter Sad | 88 | Meccan |
| 39 | Az Zumar | The Troops | 75 | Meccan |
| 40 | Ghafir | The Forgiver | 85 | Meccan |
| 41 | Fussilat | Explained in Detail | 54 | Meccan |
| 42 | Ash Shura | The Consultation | 53 | Meccan |
| 43 | Az Zukhruf | The Gold Adornments | 89 | Meccan |
| 44 | Ad Dukhan | The Smoke | 59 | Meccan |
| 45 | Al Jathiya | The Kneeling | 37 | Meccan |
| 46 | Al Ahqaf | The Sand Dunes | 35 | Meccan |
| 47 | Muhammad | Muhammad | 38 | Medinan |
| 48 | Al Fath | The Victory | 29 | Medinan |
| 49 | Al Hujurat | The Rooms | 18 | Medinan |
| 50 | Qaf | The Letter Qaf | 45 | Meccan |
| 51 | Adh Dhariyat | The Winnowing Winds | 60 | Meccan |
| 52 | At Tur | The Mount | 49 | Meccan |
| 53 | An Najm | The Star | 62 | Meccan |
| 54 | Al Qamar | The Moon | 55 | Meccan |
| 55 | Ar Rahman | The Most Merciful | 78 | Medinan |
| 56 | Al Waqia | The Inevitable | 96 | Meccan |
| 57 | Al Hadid | The Iron | 29 | Medinan |
| 58 | Al Mujadila | The Pleading Woman | 22 | Medinan |
| 59 | Al Hashr | The Exile | 24 | Medinan |
| 60 | Al Mumtahina | She That Is Examined | 13 | Medinan |
| 61 | As Saff | The Ranks | 14 | Medinan |
| 62 | Al Jumua | Friday | 11 | Medinan |
| 63 | Al Munafiqun | The Hypocrites | 11 | Medinan |
| 64 | At Taghabun | Mutual Loss and Gain | 18 | Medinan |
| 65 | At Talaq | Divorce | 12 | Medinan |
| 66 | At Tahrim | The Prohibition | 12 | Medinan |
| 67 | Al Mulk | The Sovereignty | 30 | Meccan |
| 68 | Al Qalam | The Pen | 52 | Meccan |
| 69 | Al Haqqah | The Reality | 52 | Meccan |
| 70 | Al Maarij | The Ascending Stairways | 44 | Meccan |
| 71 | Nuh | Noah | 28 | Meccan |
| 72 | Al Jinn | The Jinn | 28 | Meccan |
| 73 | Al Muzzammil | The Enshrouded One | 20 | Meccan |
| 74 | Al Muddathir | The Cloaked One | 56 | Meccan |
| 75 | Al Qiyamah | The Resurrection | 40 | Meccan |
| 76 | Al Insan | Man | 31 | Medinan |
| 77 | Al Mursalat | Those Sent Forth | 50 | Meccan |
| 78 | An Naba | The Tidings | 40 | Meccan |
| 79 | An Naziat | Those Who Drag Forth | 46 | Meccan |
| 80 | Abasa | He Frowned | 42 | Meccan |
| 81 | At Takwir | The Overthrowing | 29 | Meccan |
| 82 | Al Infitar | The Cleaving | 19 | Meccan |
| 83 | Al Mutaffifin | Dealing in Fraud | 36 | Meccan |
| 84 | Al Inshiqaq | The Sundering | 25 | Meccan |
| 85 | Al Buruj | The Mansions of the Stars | 22 | Meccan |
| 86 | At Tariq | The Nightcomer | 17 | Meccan |
| 87 | Al Ala | The Most High | 19 | Meccan |
| 88 | Al Ghashiya | The Overwhelming | 26 | Meccan |
| 89 | Al Fajr | The Dawn | 30 | Meccan |
| 90 | Al Balad | The City | 20 | Meccan |
| 91 | Ash Shams | The Sun | 15 | Meccan |
| 92 | Al Layl | The Night | 21 | Meccan |
| 93 | Ad Duha | The Morning Hours | 11 | Meccan |
| 94 | Ash Sharh | The Relief | 8 | Meccan |
| 95 | At Tin | The Fig | 8 | Meccan |
| 96 | Al Alaq | The Clot | 19 | Meccan |
| 97 | Al Qadr | The Power | 5 | Meccan |
| 98 | Al Bayyina | The Clear Proof | 8 | Medinan |
| 99 | Az Zalzalah | The Earthquake | 8 | Medinan |
| 100 | Al Adiyat | The Courser | 11 | Meccan |
| 101 | Al Qaria | The Calamity | 11 | Meccan |
| 102 | At Takathur | Rivalry in World Increase | 8 | Meccan |
| 103 | Al Asr | The Declining Day | 3 | Meccan |
| 104 | Al Humazah | The Slanderer | 9 | Meccan |
| 105 | Al Fil | The Elephant | 5 | Meccan |
| 106 | Quraysh | Quraysh | 4 | Meccan |
| 107 | Al Maun | Small Kindnesses | 7 | Meccan |
| 108 | Al Kawthar | Abundance | 3 | Meccan |
| 109 | Al Kafirun | The Disbelievers | 6 | Meccan |
| 110 | An Nasr | Divine Support | 3 | Medinan |
| 111 | Al Masad | The Palm Fiber | 5 | Meccan |
| 112 | Al Ikhlas | Sincerity | 4 | Meccan |
| 113 | Al Falaq | The Daybreak | 5 | Meccan |
| 114 | An Nas | Mankind | 6 | Meccan |
This full list of Surahs in the Quran shows how varied the chapters are, from long Surahs full of law and history, to short Surahs that carry a single powerful message.
Longest and Shortest Surahs in the Quran
Among all the Surahs in the Quran, two stand out for their length.
Longest Surah in the Quran
Surah Al Baqarah is the longest Surah in the Quran. It has 286 verses and covers many topics, including belief, worship, family law, business rules, and stories of past prophets. Because of its length, many students of the Quran spend months memorizing this single Surah.
Shortest Surah in the Quran
Surah Al Kawthar is the shortest Surah in the Quran. It has only 3 verses, yet it carries a deep message about patience and reward. Many children learn this Surah first because it is short and easy to remember.
How Are Surahs in the Quran Arranged
A common question people ask is why the Surahs in the Quran are not arranged in the order they were revealed. The Quran is not organized by date. Instead, the order was set during the time of the Prophet, based on guidance he received, and it was confirmed after his passing when the Quran was compiled into one book.
Generally, the Surahs move from longer chapters at the start to shorter chapters at the end. Surah Al Fatiha, though short, opens the Quran because it works as an introduction and a prayer. The final Surahs are short and are often the first ones many people memorize, since they are used often in daily prayer.
Why the Number of Surahs in the Quran Matters
Knowing that there are 114 Surahs in the Quran is more than just a fact to remember. This number helps in several practical ways.
- It helps students plan how to read or memorize the Quran in an organized way.
- It helps teachers build a study schedule based on Surah length and topic.
- It helps readers track their progress, since many apps and printed copies list Surah numbers.
- It supports daily prayer, since specific Surahs are recited at set times.
- It gives structure to Quran classes for children and new learners.
Common Mistakes People Make About Surahs in the Quran
Even regular readers sometimes get a few details wrong. Here are common mistakes to avoid.
- Confusing a Surah with an Ayah. A Surah is a full chapter, while an Ayah is a single verse inside that chapter.
- Thinking all Surahs are the same length. As the full list above shows, verse counts range from 3 to 286.
- Assuming Surahs are arranged by the order they were revealed. They are not, as explained earlier.
- Forgetting that Surah At Tawbah does not open with Bismillah, unlike every other Surah.
Expert Tips for Learning the Surahs in the Quran
- Start with short Surahs from the last part of the Quran before moving to longer ones.
- Use a printed Quran with a Surah index, so you can quickly find any chapter by number.
- Practice a little every day rather than trying to cover many Surahs at once.
- Listen to correct recitation from a qualified reciter to fix pronunciation early.
Surahs in the Quran vs Juz and Ayah
People often mix up three terms when talking about the Quran. Understanding the difference makes reading much easier.
Difference Between Surah, Juz and Ayah
A Surah is a chapter. There are 114 Surahs in the Quran, each with its own name and topic.
An Ayah is a verse. Every Surah is made of a number of Ayahs, ranging from 3 to 286.
A Juz is a section used for reading the Quran in thirty equal parts, usually one for each day of a month. A Juz can contain parts of more than one Surah, since it is based on length, not on chapter boundaries.
So while a Surah is about content and topic, a Juz is simply a reading division used to make daily recitation easier.
Conclusion
The Quran has 114 Surahs, each one a complete chapter with its own name, meaning, and message. Some Surahs are long and detailed, like Al Baqarah, while others are short and direct, like Al Kawthar. Learning how many Surahs are in the Quran, how they are grouped into Meccan and Medinan, and how they are arranged gives every reader a strong starting point for deeper study.
Whether you are a new learner or someone brushing up on the basics, knowing the full list of Surahs in the Quran makes reading, memorizing, and understanding the Quran a much clearer and more rewarding journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many Surahs are in the Quran?
There are 114 Surahs in the Quran, arranged from the longest chapters near the start to the shortest chapters near the end.
2. Which is the longest Surah in the Quran?
Surah Al Baqarah is the longest Surah in the Quran, with 286 verses.
3. Which is the shortest Surah in the Quran?
Surah Al Kawthar is the shortest Surah in the Quran, with only 3 verses.
4. How many Meccan Surahs are in the Quran?
There are around 86 Meccan Surahs in the Quran, revealed before the migration to Medina.
5. How many Medinan Surahs are in the Quran?
There are around 28 Medinan Surahs in the Quran, revealed after the migration to Medina.
6. What is the first Surah in the Quran?
Surah Al Fatiha is the first Surah in the Quran and is often called the opening chapter.
7. What is the last Surah in the Quran?
Surah An Nas is the last Surah in the Quran, and it focuses on seeking protection from Allah.
8. Which Surah does not begin with Bismillah?
Surah At Tawbah is the only Surah in the Quran that does not begin with Bismillah ir Rahman ir Rahim.
9. How many verses are in the Quran in total?
The Quran contains more than six thousand verses spread across its 114 Surahs.
10. What is the difference between a Surah and a Juz?
A Surah is a chapter of the Quran based on topic, while a Juz is one of thirty equal parts used for daily reading, and it can include portions of more than one Surah.
