Sweden vs US size comparison
How Big Is Sweden Compared to the US?
The US is about 22 times the size of Sweden. Drag Sweden over the US below to see the difference at true size.
Hawaii and the territories are not drawn.
Printable Sweden vs US size comparison
Free to print or share: Sweden laid over the US at true size, with both areas, on one landscape A4 or US Letter page.
Key facts
- Area of Sweden
- 450,295 km² (173,860 sq mi)
- Area of the US
- 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi)
- Size difference
- The US is about 22 times bigger
- Closest US state in size
- California (423,965 km²)
- Population (2025)
- Sweden 10,596,620; the US 341,784,857
- Sweden's rank by area
- 56th-largest of 197
How big Sweden is compared with the US
The US is about 22 times the size of Sweden: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 450,295 km² (173,860 sq mi). Even the 48 contiguous states alone, without Alaska, could hold Sweden about 18 times. Sweden is bigger than 48 of the 50 US states and smaller than the other 2; the state closest in size is California (423,965 km²). It is the 56th-largest of the world's 197 countries, and the sixth-largest of 47 in Europe; the US is the third-largest.
Sweden has about 11 million people (2025), the 93rd-most populous country in the world, against 342 million in the US. With 23.5 people per km² it is far emptier than the US (35 per km²): the US is about 1.48 times as crowded.
Sweden and the US on a world map
Sweden reaches from 55°N to 69°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 Sweden 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 the US looks about 10 times the size of Sweden, when it is really about 22 times. The equal-area map above shows the real difference.
Where Sweden is
Sweden's capital, Stockholm, is 6,640 km (4,120 miles) from Washington, D.C. as the crow flies. Sweden borders 2 countries: Finland and Norway.
Sweden and US in numbers
| Sweden | US | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 450,295 km² 173,860 sq mi | 9,833,517 km² 3,796,741 sq mi | The US is 22× bigger |
| Population (2025) | 10,596,620 | 341,784,857 | The US has 32× more |
| Rank by area | 56th-largest | Third-largest | of 197 countries |
| People per km² | 24 | 35 | The US is 1.48× denser |
| Capital | Stockholm | Washington, D.C. | 6,640 km apart |
| Neighbouring countries | 2 | 2 |
Sweden compared with US states
Frequently asked questions
Is Sweden bigger than the US?
No. The US is about 22 times the size of Sweden: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 450,295 km² (173,860 sq mi).
How many times would Sweden fit into the US?
About 22 times (21.84). Into the 48 contiguous states alone, about 18 times.
Which US state is Sweden closest in size to?
California (423,965 km²). Sweden is about the same size as California.
Is Sweden bigger than Texas?
No. Texas is about 1.54 times the size of Sweden.
Which has more people, Sweden or the US?
The US: about 342 million people in 2025, about 32 times the 11 million in Sweden.
Why does the US look so big on a world map?
Most world maps use the Mercator projection, which stretches places more the further they are from the Equator. Sweden is further from the Equator than the US, so it is stretched more. On a Mercator map the US looks about 10 times the size of Sweden, not 22.
Where does Sweden rank by size?
Sweden is the 56th-largest of the world's 197 countries by total area and the sixth-largest in Europe. The US is the third-largest.
How far is Sweden from the US?
Sweden's capital, Stockholm, is 6,640 km (4,120 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.