Iran vs US size comparison
How Big Is Iran Compared to the US?
The US is about 6 times the size of Iran. Iran is about 1.61 times as densely populated. Drag Iran over the US below to see the difference at true size.
Hawaii and the territories are not drawn.
Printable Iran vs US size comparison
Free to print or share: Iran laid over the US at true size, with both areas, on one landscape A4 or US Letter page.
Key facts
- Area of Iran
- 1,648,195 km² (636,371 sq mi)
- Area of the US
- 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi)
- Size difference
- The US is about 6 times bigger
- Closest US state in size
- Alaska (1,724,220 km²)
- Population (2025)
- Iran 92,417,681; the US 341,784,857
- Iran's rank by area
- 17th-largest of 197
How big Iran is compared with the US
The US is about 6 times the size of Iran: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 1,648,195 km² (636,371 sq mi). Even the 48 contiguous states alone, without Alaska, could hold Iran about 4.9 times. Iran is bigger than every US state except Alaska. It is the 17th-largest of the world's 197 countries, and the sixth-largest of 47 in Asia; the US is the third-largest.
Iran has about 92 million people (2025), the 17th-most populous country in the world, against 342 million in the US. With 56 people per km² it is about 1.61 times as crowded as the US (35 per km²), the 131st-most densely populated country.
Iran and the US on a world map
Iran reaches from 25°N to 40°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 Iran about 1.42 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 9.7 times the size of Iran, when it is really about 6 times. The equal-area map above shows the real difference.
Where Iran is
Iran's capital, Tehran, is 10,180 km (6,320 miles) from Washington, D.C. as the crow flies. Iran borders 7 countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey.
Iran and US in numbers
| Iran | US | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 1,648,195 km² 636,371 sq mi | 9,833,517 km² 3,796,741 sq mi | The US is 6× bigger |
| Population (2025) | 92,417,681 | 341,784,857 | The US has 3.7× more |
| Rank by area | 17th-largest | Third-largest | of 197 countries |
| People per km² | 56 | 35 | Iran is 1.61× denser |
| Capital | Tehran | Washington, D.C. | 10,180 km apart |
| Neighbouring countries | 7 | 2 |
Iran compared with US states
Frequently asked questions
Is Iran bigger than the US?
No. The US is about 6 times the size of Iran: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 1,648,195 km² (636,371 sq mi).
How many times would Iran fit into the US?
About 6 times (5.97). Into the 48 contiguous states alone, about 4.9 times.
Which US state is Iran closest in size to?
Alaska (1,724,220 km²). Iran is about the same size as Alaska.
Is Iran bigger than Texas?
Yes. Iran is about 2.37 times the size of Texas (695,668 km²).
Which has more people, Iran or the US?
The US: about 342 million people in 2025, about 3.7 times the 92 million in Iran.
Why does Iran look so small on a world map?
Most world maps use the Mercator projection, which stretches places more the further they are from the Equator. The US is further from the Equator than Iran, so it is stretched more. On a Mercator map the US looks about 9.7 times the size of Iran, not 6.
Where does Iran rank by size?
Iran is the 17th-largest of the world's 197 countries by total area and the sixth-largest in Asia. The US is the third-largest.
How far is Iran from the US?
Iran's capital, Tehran, is 10,180 km (6,320 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.