Real size
How big is Canada really?
9.87 million km²
3.81 million sq mi · 2nd largest of the 167 here · about the size of the United States
Normal web maps draw it 5.2× too big
Canada covers 9.87 million km² (3.81 million sq mi), about the size of the United States. A normal web map draws it about 5.2 times too big, because it lies far from the equator (around 61°N), and those maps stretch land more the closer it gets to the North Pole.
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.
- Real area
- 9.87 million km²
- Size rank
- 2nd of 167
- On a normal web map
- 5.2× too big
- Latitude
- 61°N
Countries about the same size
- United StatesAbout the same size
- ChinaCanada is 1.1 times the size of China
- BrazilCanada is 1.2 times the size of Brazil
- AustraliaCanada is 1.3 times the size of Australia
- RussiaRussia is 1.7 times the size of Canada
Canada 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 Canada?
- Canada covers about 9.87 million km² (3.81 million sq mi). It is the 2nd largest of the 167 countries and territories on these pages (those over 5,000 km²).
- Why does Canada 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 Canada about 5.2 times too big.
- Is Canada bigger than Brazil?
- Yes. Canada is about 1.2 times the size of Brazil.
- Is Canada bigger than the United States?
- They are about the same size: within 5% of each other.
- Is Canada bigger than Russia?
- No. Russia is about 1.7 times the size of Canada.