Ireland vs US size comparison
How Big Is Ireland Compared to the US?
The US is about 140 times the size of Ireland. Ireland is about 2.25 times as densely populated. Drag Ireland over the US below to see the difference at true size.
Hawaii and the territories are not drawn.
Printable Ireland vs US size comparison
Free to print or share: Ireland laid over the US at true size, with both areas, on one landscape A4 or US Letter page.
Key facts
- Area of Ireland
- 70,273 km² (27,133 sq mi)
- Area of the US
- 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi)
- Size difference
- The US is about 140 times bigger
- Closest US state in size
- West Virginia (62,755 km²)
- Population (2025)
- Ireland 5,484,367; the US 341,784,857
- Ireland's rank by area
- 118th-largest of 197
How big Ireland is compared with the US
The US is about 140 times the size of Ireland: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 70,273 km² (27,133 sq mi). Even the 48 contiguous states alone, without Alaska, could hold Ireland about 115 times. Ireland is bigger than 10 of the 50 US states and smaller than the other 40; the state closest in size is West Virginia (62,755 km²). It is the 118th-largest of the world's 197 countries, and the 23rd-largest of 47 in Europe; the US is the third-largest.
Ireland has about 5 million people (2025), the 121st-most populous country in the world, against 342 million in the US. With 78 people per km² it is about 2.25 times as crowded as the US (35 per km²), the 109th-most densely populated country.
Ireland and the US on a world map
Ireland reaches from 51°N to 55°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 Ireland about 2.79 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 115 times the size of Ireland, when it is really about 140 times. The equal-area map above shows the real difference.
Where Ireland is
Ireland's capital, Dublin, is 5,440 km (3,380 miles) from Washington, D.C. as the crow flies. Ireland borders one country: UK.
Ireland and US in numbers
| Ireland | US | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 70,273 km² 27,133 sq mi | 9,833,517 km² 3,796,741 sq mi | The US is 140× bigger |
| Population (2025) | 5,484,367 | 341,784,857 | The US has 62× more |
| Rank by area | 118th-largest | Third-largest | of 197 countries |
| People per km² | 78 | 35 | Ireland is 2.25× denser |
| Capital | Dublin | Washington, D.C. | 5,440 km apart |
| Neighbouring countries | 1 | 2 |
Ireland compared with US states
Frequently asked questions
Is Ireland bigger than the US?
No. The US is about 140 times the size of Ireland: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 70,273 km² (27,133 sq mi).
How many times would Ireland fit into the US?
About 140 times (140). Into the 48 contiguous states alone, about 115 times.
Which US state is Ireland closest in size to?
West Virginia (62,755 km²). Ireland is about 1.12 times the size of West Virginia.
Is Ireland bigger than Texas?
No. Texas is about 9.9 times the size of Ireland.
Which has more people, Ireland or the US?
The US: about 342 million people in 2025, about 62 times the 5 million in Ireland.
Where does Ireland rank by size?
Ireland is the 118th-largest of the world's 197 countries by total area and the 23rd-largest in Europe. The US is the third-largest.
How far is Ireland from the US?
Ireland's capital, Dublin, is 5,440 km (3,380 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.