Iraq vs US size comparison
How Big Is Iraq Compared to the US?
The US is about 22 times the size of Iraq. Iraq is about 3 times as densely populated. Drag Iraq over the US below to see the difference at true size.
Hawaii and the territories are not drawn.
Printable Iraq vs US size comparison
Free to print or share: Iraq laid over the US at true size, with both areas, on one landscape A4 or US Letter page.
Key facts
- Area of Iraq
- 438,317 km² (169,235 sq mi)
- Area of the US
- 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi)
- Size difference
- The US is about 22 times bigger
- Closest US state in size
- California (423,965 km²)
- Population (2025)
- Iraq 47,020,774; the US 341,784,857
- Iraq's rank by area
- 58th-largest of 197
How big Iraq is compared with the US
The US is about 22 times the size of Iraq: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 438,317 km² (169,235 sq mi). Even the 48 contiguous states alone, without Alaska, could hold Iraq about 18 times. Iraq is bigger than 48 of the 50 US states and smaller than the other 2; the state closest in size is California (423,965 km²). It is the 58th-largest of the world's 197 countries, and the 15th-largest of 47 in Asia; the US is the third-largest.
Iraq has about 47 million people (2025), the 34th-most populous country in the world, against 342 million in the US. With 107 people per km² it is about 3 times as crowded as the US (35 per km²), the 85th-most densely populated country.
Iraq and the US on a world map
Iraq reaches from 29°N to 37°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 Iraq about 1.43 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 36 times the size of Iraq, when it is really about 22 times. The equal-area map above shows the real difference.
Where Iraq is
Iraq's capital, Baghdad, is 9,970 km (6,200 miles) from Washington, D.C. as the crow flies. Iraq borders 6 countries: Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey.
Iraq and US in numbers
| Iraq | US | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 438,317 km² 169,235 sq mi | 9,833,517 km² 3,796,741 sq mi | The US is 22× bigger |
| Population (2025) | 47,020,774 | 341,784,857 | The US has 7.3× more |
| Rank by area | 58th-largest | Third-largest | of 197 countries |
| People per km² | 107 | 35 | Iraq is 3.1× denser |
| Capital | Baghdad | Washington, D.C. | 9,970 km apart |
| Neighbouring countries | 6 | 2 |
Iraq compared with US states
Frequently asked questions
Is Iraq bigger than the US?
No. The US is about 22 times the size of Iraq: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 438,317 km² (169,235 sq mi).
How many times would Iraq fit into the US?
About 22 times (22.43). Into the 48 contiguous states alone, about 18 times.
Which US state is Iraq closest in size to?
California (423,965 km²). Iraq is about the same size as California.
Is Iraq bigger than Texas?
No. Texas is about 1.59 times the size of Iraq.
Which has more people, Iraq or the US?
The US: about 342 million people in 2025, about 7.3 times the 47 million in Iraq.
Why does Iraq 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 Iraq, so it is stretched more. On a Mercator map the US looks about 36 times the size of Iraq, not 22.
Where does Iraq rank by size?
Iraq is the 58th-largest of the world's 197 countries by total area and the 15th-largest in Asia. The US is the third-largest.
How far is Iraq from the US?
Iraq's capital, Baghdad, is 9,970 km (6,200 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.