South Sudan vs US size comparison
How Big Is South Sudan Compared to the US?
The US is about 15 times the size of South Sudan. Drag South Sudan over the US below to see the difference at true size.
Hawaii and the territories are not drawn.
Printable South Sudan vs US size comparison
Free to print or share: South Sudan laid over the US at true size, with both areas, on one landscape A4 or US Letter page.
Key facts
- Area of South Sudan
- 644,329 km² (248,777 sq mi)
- Area of the US
- 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi)
- Size difference
- The US is about 15 times bigger
- Closest US state in size
- Texas (695,668 km²)
- Population (2025)
- South Sudan 12,188,788; the US 341,784,857
- South Sudan's rank by area
- 42nd-largest of 197
How big South Sudan is compared with the US
The US is about 15 times the size of South Sudan: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 644,329 km² (248,777 sq mi). Even the 48 contiguous states alone, without Alaska, could hold South Sudan about 13 times. South Sudan is bigger than 48 of the 50 US states and smaller than the other 2; the state closest in size is Texas (695,668 km²). It is the 42nd-largest of the world's 197 countries, and the 19th-largest of 54 in Africa; the US is the third-largest.
South Sudan has about 12 million people (2025), the 81st-most populous country in the world, against 342 million in the US. With 18.9 people per km² it is far emptier than the US (35 per km²): the US is about 1.84 times as crowded.
South Sudan and the US on a world map
South Sudan reaches from 3°N to 12°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 South Sudan about 1.02 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 34 times the size of South Sudan, when it is really about 15 times. The equal-area map above shows the real difference.
Where South Sudan is
South Sudan's capital, Juba, is 11,260 km (6,990 miles) from Washington, D.C. as the crow flies. South Sudan borders 6 countries: DR Congo, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. It has no coast.
South Sudan and US in numbers
| South Sudan | US | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 644,329 km² 248,777 sq mi | 9,833,517 km² 3,796,741 sq mi | The US is 15× bigger |
| Population (2025) | 12,188,788 | 341,784,857 | The US has 28× more |
| Rank by area | 42nd-largest | Third-largest | of 197 countries |
| People per km² | 19 | 35 | The US is 1.84× denser |
| Capital | Juba | Washington, D.C. | 11,260 km apart |
| Neighbouring countries | 6 | 2 |
South Sudan compared with US states
Frequently asked questions
Is South Sudan bigger than the US?
No. The US is about 15 times the size of South Sudan: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 644,329 km² (248,777 sq mi).
How many times would South Sudan fit into the US?
About 15 times (15.26). Into the 48 contiguous states alone, about 13 times.
Which US state is South Sudan closest in size to?
Texas (695,668 km²). South Sudan is about the same size as Texas.
Which has more people, South Sudan or the US?
The US: about 342 million people in 2025, about 28 times the 12 million in South Sudan.
Why does South Sudan 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 Sudan, so it is stretched more. On a Mercator map the US looks about 34 times the size of South Sudan, not 15.
Where does South Sudan rank by size?
South Sudan is the 42nd-largest of the world's 197 countries by total area and the 19th-largest in Africa. The US is the third-largest.
How far is South Sudan from the US?
South Sudan's capital, Juba, is 11,260 km (6,990 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.