North Korea vs US size comparison
How Big Is North Korea Compared to the US?
The US is about 82 times the size of North Korea. North Korea is about 6.3 times as densely populated. Drag North Korea over the US below to see the difference at true size.
Hawaii and the territories are not drawn.
Printable North Korea vs US size comparison
Free to print or share: North Korea laid over the US at true size, with both areas, on one landscape A4 or US Letter page.
Key facts
- Area of North Korea
- 120,538 km² (46,540 sq mi)
- Area of the US
- 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi)
- Size difference
- The US is about 82 times bigger
- Closest US state in size
- Pennsylvania (119,279 km²)
- Population (2025)
- North Korea 26,571,036; the US 341,784,857
- North Korea's rank by area
- 97th-largest of 197
How big North Korea is compared with the US
The US is about 82 times the size of North Korea: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 120,538 km² (46,540 sq mi). Even the 48 contiguous states alone, without Alaska, could hold North Korea about 67 times. North Korea is bigger than 18 of the 50 US states and smaller than the other 32; the state closest in size is Pennsylvania (119,279 km²). It is the 97th-largest of the world's 197 countries, and the 28th-largest of 47 in Asia; the US is the third-largest.
North Korea has about 27 million people (2025), the 56th-most populous country in the world, against 342 million in the US. With 220 people per km² it is about 6.3 times as crowded as the US (35 per km²), the 47th-most densely populated country.
North Korea and the US on a world map
North Korea reaches from 38°N to 43°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 North Korea about 1.71 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 110 times the size of North Korea, when it is really about 82 times. The equal-area map above shows the real difference.
Where North Korea is
North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, is 11,050 km (6,860 miles) from Washington, D.C. as the crow flies. North Korea borders 3 countries: China, South Korea and Russia.
North Korea and US in numbers
| North Korea | US | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 120,538 km² 46,540 sq mi | 9,833,517 km² 3,796,741 sq mi | The US is 82× bigger |
| Population (2025) | 26,571,036 | 341,784,857 | The US has 13× more |
| Rank by area | 97th-largest | Third-largest | of 197 countries |
| People per km² | 220 | 35 | North Korea is 6.3× denser |
| Capital | Pyongyang | Washington, D.C. | 11,050 km apart |
| Neighbouring countries | 3 | 2 |
North Korea compared with US states
Frequently asked questions
Is North Korea bigger than the US?
No. The US is about 82 times the size of North Korea: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 120,538 km² (46,540 sq mi).
How many times would North Korea fit into the US?
About 82 times (81.58). Into the 48 contiguous states alone, about 67 times.
Which US state is North Korea closest in size to?
Pennsylvania (119,279 km²). North Korea is about the same size as Pennsylvania.
Is North Korea bigger than Texas?
No. Texas is about 5.8 times the size of North Korea.
Which has more people, North Korea or the US?
The US: about 342 million people in 2025, about 13 times the 27 million in North Korea.
Why does North Korea 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 North Korea, so it is stretched more. On a Mercator map the US looks about 110 times the size of North Korea, not 82.
Where does North Korea rank by size?
North Korea is the 97th-largest of the world's 197 countries by total area and the 28th-largest in Asia. The US is the third-largest.
How far is North Korea from the US?
North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, is 11,050 km (6,860 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.