Real size
How big is Australia really?
7.71 million km²
2.98 million sq mi · 6th largest of the 167 here · about the size of Brazil
Normal web maps draw it 1.3× too big
Australia covers 7.71 million km² (2.98 million sq mi), about the size of Brazil. A normal web map draws it about 1.3 times too big: not much, but enough to make it look bigger than countries nearer the equator.
Measured from our map outlines, so official figures can differ by a few percent. Ranks count the 167 countries and territories on these pages: those over 5,000 km², not counting disputed territories.
AustraliaUnited States
AustraliaUnited States
- Real area
- 7.71 million km²
- Size rank
- 6th of 167
- On a normal web map
- 1.3× too big
- Latitude
- 26°S
Countries about the same size
- BrazilBrazil is 1.1 times the size of Australia
- ChinaChina is 1.2 times the size of Australia
- United StatesThe United States is 1.2 times the size of Australia
- CanadaCanada is 1.3 times the size of Australia
- RussiaRussia is 2.2 times the size of Australia
Australia through history
Borders here have moved many times. Step through our maps, from 2000 BCE to today, to see who ruled this land before, and how big their realms really were.
Open the history map →Browse the eras →
Common questions
- How big is Australia?
- Australia covers about 7.71 million km² (2.98 million sq mi). It is the 6th largest of the 167 countries and territories on these pages (those over 5,000 km²).
- Why does Australia look so big on maps?
- Most web maps use the Mercator projection, which keeps shapes right but stretches area more and more toward the poles. Averaged over the whole country, it draws Australia about 1.3 times too big.
- Is Australia bigger than the United States?
- No. The United States is about 1.2 times the size of Australia.
- Is Australia bigger than Brazil?
- No. Brazil is about 1.1 times the size of Australia.