What percentage of Earth's water is saltwater?

The correct answer is that approximately 97% of Earth's water is saltwater. This high percentage is primarily found in the oceans, which cover about 71% of the planet's surface. The vast majority of the Earth's water is stored in these saline bodies rather than in freshwater sources like rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers.

In contrast to the saltwater, only about 3% of Earth's water is freshwater, and of that, a significant portion is locked away in glaciers and ice caps or exists as groundwater, with a relatively small amount readily accessible for human usage. This distinction highlights the importance of understanding Earth's water distribution, especially in discussions about freshwater availability and conservation.