Nigeria vs US size comparison
How Big Is Nigeria Compared to the US?
The US is about 11 times the size of Nigeria. Nigeria is about 7.4 times as densely populated. Drag Nigeria over the US below to see the difference at true size.
Hawaii and the territories are not drawn.
Printable Nigeria vs US size comparison
Free to print or share: Nigeria laid over the US at true size, with both areas, on one landscape A4 or US Letter page.
Key facts
- Area of Nigeria
- 923,768 km² (356,669 sq mi)
- Area of the US
- 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi)
- Size difference
- The US is about 11 times bigger
- Closest US state in size
- Texas (695,668 km²)
- Population (2025)
- Nigeria 237,527,782; the US 341,784,857
- Nigeria's rank by area
- 31st-largest of 197
How big Nigeria is compared with the US
The US is about 11 times the size of Nigeria: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 923,768 km² (356,669 sq mi). Even the 48 contiguous states alone, without Alaska, could hold Nigeria about 8.8 times. Nigeria is bigger than every US state except Alaska. It is the 31st-largest of the world's 197 countries, and the 14th-largest of 54 in Africa; the US is the third-largest.
Nigeria has about 238 million people (2025), the sixth-most populous country in the world, against 342 million in the US. With 257 people per km² it is about 7.4 times as crowded as the US (35 per km²), the 39th-most densely populated country.
Nigeria and the US on a world map
Nigeria reaches from 4°N to 14°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 Nigeria about 1.03 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 24 times the size of Nigeria, when it is really about 11 times. The equal-area map above shows the real difference.
Where Nigeria is
Nigeria's capital, Abuja, is 8,910 km (5,530 miles) from Washington, D.C. as the crow flies. Nigeria borders 4 countries: Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
Nigeria and US in numbers
| Nigeria | US | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 923,768 km² 356,669 sq mi | 9,833,517 km² 3,796,741 sq mi | The US is 11× bigger |
| Population (2025) | 237,527,782 | 341,784,857 | The US has 1.44× more |
| Rank by area | 31st-largest | Third-largest | of 197 countries |
| People per km² | 257 | 35 | Nigeria is 7.4× denser |
| Capital | Abuja | Washington, D.C. | 8,910 km apart |
| Neighbouring countries | 4 | 2 |
Nigeria compared with US states
Frequently asked questions
Is Nigeria bigger than the US?
No. The US is about 11 times the size of Nigeria: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 923,768 km² (356,669 sq mi).
How many times would Nigeria fit into the US?
About 11 times (10.65). Into the 48 contiguous states alone, about 8.8 times.
Which US state is Nigeria closest in size to?
Texas (695,668 km²). Nigeria is about 1.33 times the size of Texas.
Which has more people, Nigeria or the US?
The US: about 342 million people in 2025, about 1.44 times the 238 million in Nigeria.
Why does Nigeria 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 Nigeria, so it is stretched more. On a Mercator map the US looks about 24 times the size of Nigeria, not 11.
Where does Nigeria rank by size?
Nigeria is the 31st-largest of the world's 197 countries by total area and the 14th-largest in Africa. The US is the third-largest.
How far is Nigeria from the US?
Nigeria's capital, Abuja, is 8,910 km (5,530 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.