The 480s decade ran from January 1, 480, to December 31, 489.
Significant people
- Dongseong, King of Baekje (479–501)
- Gundobad, King of Burgundy (473–516)
- Zeno, Emperor of the Byzantine Empire (476–491)
- Acacius of Constantinople, Patriarch of Constantinople (471-488)
- Fravitta of Constantinople, Patriarch of Constantinople (488-489)
- Euphemius, Patriarch of Constantinople 489–495
- Emperor Xiaowen, Emperor of Northern Wei (471–499)
- Emperor Gao of Southern Qi, Emperor of Qi (479–482)
- Emperor Wu, Emperor of Qi (482–493)
- Loarn, King of Dál Riata (474–500)
- Erbin of Dumnonia, King of Dumnonia (443-480)
- Gerren Llyngesic ab Erbin, King of Dumnonia (c. 480–514)
- Jangsu, King of Goguryeo (413–490)
- Buddha Gupta, Gupta Emperor (477–496)
- Einion Yrth ap Cunedda, King of Gwynedd (c. 470–500)
- Khingila I, Tegin of Hephthalite Empire (AKA White Huns) (c. 440-490)
- Ernakh, Ruler of the Huns (469–503)
- Vakhtang I, King of Iberia (447–522)
- Lughaid mac Loeguire, High King of Ireland (479–503)
- Odoacer, King of Italy (476–493)
- Pope Simplicius, Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, p. 468–483
- Felix II (excluding Antipope Felix II), Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, p. 483–492
- Emperor Seinei, Emperor of Japan (c. 480-c. 484)
- Emperor Kenzō, Emperor of Japan (c. 485-c. 487)
- Emperor Ninken, Emperor of Japan (c. 488-c. 498)
- Hengist and Horsa, Co-Kings of Kent (455-488)
- Oisc, King of Kent (488-512)
- "Casper", Ajaw of Palenque (435–487)
- B'utz Aj Sak Chiik, Ajaw of Palenque (487–501)
- Skanda Varman IV, King of Pallava (460–480)
- Nandi Varman I, King of Pallava (480–500)
- Peroz I, Sassanid King (459–484)
- Balash, Sassanid King (484–488)
- Kavadh I, Sassanid dynasty King of Persia (488–496, 498–531)
- Rhuddfedel Frych, King of Powys (c. 480–500)
- Yujiulü Yucheng, Khan of the Rouran Khaganate (450-485)
- Yujiulü Doulun, Khan of the Rouran Khaganate (485-492)
- Childeric I, King of Salian Franks (457–481)
- Clovis I, King of Salian Franks (481–509)
- Soji, King of Silla (479–500)
- Aelle, King of the South Saxons (c. 477–c. 514) and first Bretwalda of the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy (488-514)
- Huneric, King of the Vandals and Alans (477–484)
- Gunthamund, King of the Vandals and Alans (484–496)
- Euric, King of the Visigothic Kingdom (466–484)
- Alaric II, King of the Visigothic Kingdom (484–507)