Russia vs US size comparison
How Big Is Russia Compared to the US?
Russia is about 1.74 times the size of the US. But the US has 2.38 times as many people, so it is about 4.1 times as crowded. Drag the US over Russia below to see the difference at true size.
Hawaii and the territories are not drawn.
Printable Russia vs US size comparison
Free to print or share: the US laid over Russia at true size, with both areas, on one landscape A4 or US Letter page.
Key facts
- Area of Russia
- 17,098,242 km² (6,601,665 sq mi)
- Area of the US
- 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi)
- Size difference
- Russia is about 1.74 times bigger
- Closest US state in size
- Alaska (1,724,220 km²)
- Population (2025)
- Russia 143,513,328; the US 341,784,857
- Russia's rank by area
- Largest of 197
How big Russia is compared with the US
Russia is about 1.74 times the size of the US: 17,098,242 km² (6,601,665 sq mi) against 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi). Russia is about 2.11 times the size of the 48 contiguous states. Russia is bigger than every US state, Alaska included. It is the largest of the world's 197 countries, and the largest in Europe; the US is the third-largest.
Russia has about 144 million people (2025), the ninth-most populous country in the world, against 342 million in the US. With 8.4 people per km² it is far emptier than the US (35 per km²): the US is about 4.1 times as crowded.
Russia and the US on a world map
Russia reaches from 41°N to 82°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 Russia about 4.9 times its real size and the US about 2.3 times (Alaska far more than Florida). So on a normal world map Russia looks about 3.7 times the size of the US, when it is really about 1.74 times. The equal-area map above shows the real difference.
Where Russia is
Russia's capital, Moscow, is 7,820 km (4,860 miles) from Washington, D.C. as the crow flies. Russia borders 14 countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, North Korea and 7 more.
Russia and US in numbers
| Russia | US | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 17,098,242 km² 6,601,665 sq mi | 9,833,517 km² 3,796,741 sq mi | Russia is 1.74× bigger |
| Population (2025) | 143,513,328 | 341,784,857 | The US has 2.38× more |
| Rank by area | Largest | Third-largest | of 197 countries |
| People per km² | 8 | 35 | The US is 4.1× denser |
| Capital | Moscow | Washington, D.C. | 7,820 km apart |
| Neighbouring countries | 14 | 2 |
Russia compared with US states
Frequently asked questions
Is the US bigger than Russia?
No. Russia is about 1.74 times the size of the US: 17,098,242 km² (6,601,665 sq mi) against 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi).
How many times would the US fit into Russia?
About 1.74 times (1.74).
Which US state is Russia closest in size to?
Alaska (1,724,220 km²). Russia is about 9.9 times the size of Alaska.
Is Russia bigger than Texas?
Yes. Russia is about 25 times the size of Texas (695,668 km²).
Which has more people, Russia or the US?
The US: about 342 million people in 2025, about 2.38 times the 144 million in Russia.
Why does the US 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. Russia is further from the Equator than the US, so it is stretched more. On a Mercator map Russia looks about 3.7 times the size of the US, not 1.74.
Where does Russia rank by size?
Russia is the largest of the world's 197 countries by total area and the largest in Europe. The US is the third-largest.
How far is Russia from the US?
Russia's capital, Moscow, is 7,820 km (4,860 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.