Vatican City vs US size comparison
How Big Is Vatican City Compared to the US?
The US is about 22 million times the size of Vatican City. Vatican City is about 58 times as densely populated. Drag Vatican City over the US below to see the difference at true size.
Hawaii and the territories are not drawn.
Printable Vatican City vs US size comparison
Free to print or share: Vatican City laid over the US at true size, with both areas, on one landscape A4 or US Letter page.
Key facts
- Area of Vatican City
- 0.44 km² (0.17 sq mi)
- Area of the US
- 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi)
- Size difference
- The US is about 22 million times bigger
- Closest US state in size
- Rhode Island (4,001 km²)
- Population (2025)
- Vatican City 882; the US 341,784,857
- Vatican City's rank by area
- 197th-largest of 197
How big Vatican City is compared with the US
The US is about 22 million times the size of Vatican City: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 0.44 km² (0.17 sq mi). Even the 48 contiguous states alone, without Alaska, could hold Vatican City about 18 million times. Vatican City is smaller than every US state, even Rhode Island. It is the 197th-largest of the world's 197 countries, and the 47th-largest of 47 in Europe; the US is the third-largest.
Vatican City has about 900 people (2025), the 197th-most populous country in the world, against 342 million in the US. With 2,005 people per km² it is about 58 times as crowded as the US (35 per km²), the fourth-most densely populated country.
Vatican City and the US on a world map
Vatican City lies at 42°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 Vatican City about 1.81 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 28 million times the size of Vatican City, when it is really about 22 million times. The equal-area map above shows the real difference.
Where Vatican City is
Vatican City is 7,210 km (4,480 miles) from Washington, D.C. as the crow flies. Vatican City borders one country: Italy. It has no coast.
Vatican City and US in numbers
| Vatican City | US | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 0.44 km² 0.17 sq mi | 9,833,517 km² 3,796,741 sq mi | The US is 22,348,902× bigger |
| Population (2025) | 882 | 341,784,857 | The US has 387,511× more |
| Rank by area | 197th-largest | Third-largest | of 197 countries |
| People per km² | 2,005 | 35 | Vatican City is 58× denser |
| Capital | Vatican City | Washington, D.C. | 7,210 km apart |
| Neighbouring countries | 1 | 2 |
Vatican City compared with US states
Frequently asked questions
Is Vatican City bigger than the US?
No. The US is about 22 million times the size of Vatican City: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 0.44 km² (0.17 sq mi).
How many times would Vatican City fit into the US?
About 22 million times (22,348,902). Into the 48 contiguous states alone, about 18 million times.
Which US state is Vatican City closest in size to?
Rhode Island (4,001 km²). Rhode Island is about 9,093 times the size of Vatican City.
Is Vatican City bigger than Texas?
No. Texas is about 1.6 million times the size of Vatican City.
Which has more people, Vatican City or the US?
The US: about 342 million people in 2025, about 390,000 times the 900 in Vatican City.
Why does Vatican City 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 Vatican City, so it is stretched more. On a Mercator map the US looks about 28 million times the size of Vatican City, not 22 million.
Where does Vatican City rank by size?
Vatican City is the 197th-largest of the world's 197 countries by total area and the 47th-largest in Europe. The US is the third-largest.
How far is Vatican City from the US?
Vatican City is 7,210 km (4,480 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.