South Africa vs US size comparison
How Big Is South Africa Compared to the US?
The US is about 8.1 times the size of South Africa. South Africa is about 1.53 times as densely populated. Drag South Africa over the US below to see the difference at true size.
Hawaii and the territories are not drawn.
Printable South Africa vs US size comparison
Free to print or share: South Africa laid over the US at true size, with both areas, on one landscape A4 or US Letter page.
Key facts
- Area of South Africa
- 1,219,090 km² (470,693 sq mi)
- Area of the US
- 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi)
- Size difference
- The US is about 8.1 times bigger
- Closest US state in size
- Alaska (1,724,220 km²)
- Population (2025)
- South Africa 64,747,319; the US 341,784,857
- South Africa's rank by area
- 24th-largest of 197
How big South Africa is compared with the US
The US is about 8.1 times the size of South Africa: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 1,219,090 km² (470,693 sq mi). Even the 48 contiguous states alone, without Alaska, could hold South Africa about 6.6 times. South Africa is bigger than every US state except Alaska. It is the 24th-largest of the world's 197 countries, and the ninth-largest of 54 in Africa; the US is the third-largest.
South Africa has about 65 million people (2025), the 24th-most populous country in the world, against 342 million in the US. With 53 people per km² it is about 1.53 times as crowded as the US (35 per km²), the 135th-most densely populated country.
South Africa and the US on a world map
South Africa reaches from 47°S to 22°S; 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 South Africa about 1.31 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 14 times the size of South Africa, when it is really about 8.1 times. The equal-area map above shows the real difference.
Where South Africa is
South Africa's capital, Pretoria, is 13,030 km (8,100 miles) from Washington, D.C. as the crow flies. South Africa borders 6 countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Zimbabwe.
South Africa and US in numbers
| South Africa | US | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 1,219,090 km² 470,693 sq mi | 9,833,517 km² 3,796,741 sq mi | The US is 8.1× bigger |
| Population (2025) | 64,747,319 | 341,784,857 | The US has 5.3× more |
| Rank by area | 24th-largest | Third-largest | of 197 countries |
| People per km² | 53 | 35 | South Africa is 1.53× denser |
| Capital | Pretoria | Washington, D.C. | 13,030 km apart |
| Neighbouring countries | 6 | 2 |
South Africa compared with US states
Frequently asked questions
Is South Africa bigger than the US?
No. The US is about 8.1 times the size of South Africa: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 1,219,090 km² (470,693 sq mi).
How many times would South Africa fit into the US?
About 8.1 times (8.07). Into the 48 contiguous states alone, about 6.6 times.
Which US state is South Africa closest in size to?
Alaska (1,724,220 km²). Alaska is about 1.41 times the size of South Africa.
Is South Africa bigger than Texas?
Yes. South Africa is about 1.75 times the size of Texas (695,668 km²).
Which has more people, South Africa or the US?
The US: about 342 million people in 2025, about 5.3 times the 65 million in South Africa.
Why does South Africa 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 South Africa, so it is stretched more. On a Mercator map the US looks about 14 times the size of South Africa, not 8.1.
Where does South Africa rank by size?
South Africa is the 24th-largest of the world's 197 countries by total area and the ninth-largest in Africa. The US is the third-largest.
How far is South Africa from the US?
South Africa's capital, Pretoria, is 13,030 km (8,100 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.