In terms of strength, any tornado warrants a look as to whether it might be the strongest, as such a rating puts them in the top 0.05%. A few particular ones stand out, however.
- The Tri-State tornado of March 18, 1925 had the longest damage path and fastest forward speed of any tornado ever recorded and is also the deadliest tornado in U.S. history. Although detailed damage surveys did not exist back then, the widespread F5 damage indicates an extremely violent tornado.
- The Xenia, Ohio tornado of April 3, 1974 was one of the most destructive and intense tornadoes in U.S. history and the worst of the infamous Super Outbreak.
- The Jarrell Texas tornado of May 27, 1997 was noted by some of the survey team to have caused the most severe damage they had ever seen. Though it is possible that this was because they had never surveyed F5 damage before.
- The Moore, Oklahoma tornado of May 3, 1999 had the highest wind speed ever recorded on Earth at 302 mph. However, it is impossible to say whether the other tornadoes listed might have been stronger as they never had their winds measured. Additionally, this wind speed gust was about 100 feet of the ground. Winds at ground level are unknown.