China vs US size comparison
How Big Is China Compared to the US?
The US and China are almost the same size (the US is only 2% bigger). But China has 4.1 times as many people, so it is about 4.2 times as crowded. Drag China over the US below to see the difference at true size.
Hawaii and the territories are not drawn.
Printable China vs US size comparison
Free to print or share: China laid over the US at true size, with both areas, on one landscape A4 or US Letter page.
Key facts
- Area of China
- 9,596,960 km² (3,705,405 sq mi)
- Area of the US
- 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi)
- Size difference
- Almost the same size
- Closest US state in size
- Alaska (1,724,220 km²)
- Population (2025)
- China 1,406,585,000; the US 341,784,857
- China's rank by area
- Fourth-largest of 197
How big China is compared with the US
The US and China are almost the same size (the US is only 2% bigger): 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 9,596,960 km² (3,705,405 sq mi). China is bigger than the 48 contiguous states put together; only Alaska tips the US ahead. China is bigger than every US state, Alaska included. It is the fourth-largest of the world's 197 countries, and the largest in Asia; the US is the third-largest.
China has about 1.41 billion people (2025), the second-most populous country in the world, against 342 million in the US. With 147 people per km² it is about 4.2 times as crowded as the US (35 per km²), the 64th-most densely populated country.
China and the US on a world map
China reaches from 16°N to 54°N; the US from 19°N to 71°N, with Hawaii in the south and Alaska in the far north. Most world maps use the Mercator projection, which enlarges places more the further they are from the Equator. It draws China about 1.59 times its real size and the US about 2.3 times (Alaska far more than Florida). So on a normal world map the US looks about 1.48 times the size of China, when it is really about 1.02 times. The equal-area map above shows the real difference.
Where China is
China's capital, Beijing, is 11,150 km (6,930 miles) from Washington, D.C. as the crow flies. China borders 14 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Kyrgyzstan, North Korea, Kazakhstan, Laos and 7 more.
China and US in numbers
| China | US | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 9,596,960 km² 3,705,405 sq mi | 9,833,517 km² 3,796,741 sq mi | Almost the same |
| Population (2025) | 1,406,585,000 | 341,784,857 | China has 4.1× more |
| Rank by area | Fourth-largest | Third-largest | of 197 countries |
| People per km² | 147 | 35 | China is 4.2× denser |
| Capital | Beijing | Washington, D.C. | 11,150 km apart |
| Neighbouring countries | 14 | 2 |
China compared with US states
Frequently asked questions
Is China bigger than the US?
Only just not: the US is 2% bigger, 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 9,596,960 km² (3,705,405 sq mi).
Which US state is China closest in size to?
Alaska (1,724,220 km²). China is about 5.6 times the size of Alaska.
Is China bigger than Texas?
Yes. China is about 14 times the size of Texas (695,668 km²).
Which has more people, China or the US?
China: about 1.41 billion people in 2025, about 4.1 times the 342 million in the US.
Where does China rank by size?
China is the fourth-largest of the world's 197 countries by total area and the largest in Asia. The US is the third-largest.
How far is China from the US?
China's capital, Beijing, is 11,150 km (6,930 miles) from Washington, D.C. in a straight line.
Sources
- Areas: CIA World Factbook (total area, land and water). US states: US Census Bureau.
- Populations: World Bank, World Development Indicators (2025).
- Outlines are drawn on an equal-area projection, so their sizes on the map match their real areas.