Mexico vs US size comparison
How Big Is Mexico Compared to the US?
The US is about 5 times the size of Mexico. Mexico is about 1.93 times as densely populated. Drag Mexico over the US below to see the difference at true size.
Hawaii and the territories are not drawn.
Printable Mexico vs US size comparison
Free to print or share: Mexico laid over the US at true size, with both areas, on one landscape A4 or US Letter page.
Key facts
- Area of Mexico
- 1,964,375 km² (758,449 sq mi)
- Area of the US
- 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi)
- Size difference
- The US is about 5 times bigger
- Closest US state in size
- Alaska (1,724,220 km²)
- Population (2025)
- Mexico 131,946,900; the US 341,784,857
- Mexico's rank by area
- 13th-largest of 197
How big Mexico is compared with the US
The US is about 5 times the size of Mexico: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 1,964,375 km² (758,449 sq mi). Even the 48 contiguous states alone, without Alaska, could hold Mexico about 4.1 times. Mexico is bigger than every US state, Alaska included. It is the 13th-largest of the world's 197 countries, and the third-largest of 23 in North America; the US is the third-largest.
Mexico has about 132 million people (2025), the 11th-most populous country in the world, against 342 million in the US. With 67 people per km² it is about 1.93 times as crowded as the US (35 per km²), the 121st-most densely populated country.
Mexico and the US on a world map
Mexico reaches from 15°N to 33°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 Mexico about 1.21 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 9.5 times the size of Mexico, when it is really about 5 times. The equal-area map above shows the real difference.
Where Mexico is
Mexico's capital, Mexico City, is 3,040 km (1,890 miles) from Washington, D.C. as the crow flies. Mexico borders 3 countries: Belize, Guatemala and US.
Mexico and US in numbers
| Mexico | US | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 1,964,375 km² 758,449 sq mi | 9,833,517 km² 3,796,741 sq mi | The US is 5× bigger |
| Population (2025) | 131,946,900 | 341,784,857 | The US has 2.59× more |
| Rank by area | 13th-largest | Third-largest | of 197 countries |
| People per km² | 67 | 35 | Mexico is 1.93× denser |
| Capital | Mexico City | Washington, D.C. | 3,040 km apart |
| Neighbouring countries | 3 | 2 |
Mexico compared with US states
Frequently asked questions
Is Mexico bigger than the US?
No. The US is about 5 times the size of Mexico: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 1,964,375 km² (758,449 sq mi).
How many times would Mexico fit into the US?
About 5 times (5.01). Into the 48 contiguous states alone, about 4.1 times.
Which US state is Mexico closest in size to?
Alaska (1,724,220 km²). Mexico is about 1.14 times the size of Alaska.
Is Mexico bigger than Texas?
Yes. Mexico is about 2.82 times the size of Texas (695,668 km²).
Which has more people, Mexico or the US?
The US: about 342 million people in 2025, about 2.59 times the 132 million in Mexico.
Why does Mexico 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 Mexico, so it is stretched more. On a Mercator map the US looks about 9.5 times the size of Mexico, not 5.
Where does Mexico rank by size?
Mexico is the 13th-largest of the world's 197 countries by total area and the third-largest in North America. The US is the third-largest.
How far is Mexico from the US?
Mexico's capital, Mexico City, is 3,040 km (1,890 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.