Real size
How big is China really?
9.37 million km²
3.62 million sq mi · 4th largest of the 167 here · about the size of the United States
Normal web maps draw it 1.6× too big
China covers 9.37 million km² (3.62 million sq mi), about the size of the United States. A normal web map draws it about 1.6 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.
Part of the land China holds or claims is disputed (5 disputes). Our area follows the borders drawn on today's map. See the disputed territories →
- Real area
- 9.37 million km²
- Size rank
- 4th of 167
- On a normal web map
- 1.6× too big
- Latitude
- 37°N
Countries about the same size
- United StatesAbout the same size
- CanadaCanada is 1.1 times the size of China
- BrazilChina is 1.1 times the size of Brazil
- AustraliaChina is 1.2 times the size of Australia
- RussiaRussia is 1.8 times the size of China
China 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 China?
- China covers about 9.37 million km² (3.62 million sq mi). It is the 4th largest of the 167 countries and territories on these pages (those over 5,000 km²).
- Why does China 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 China about 1.6 times too big.
- Is China bigger than Brazil?
- Yes. China is about 1.1 times the size of Brazil.
- Is China bigger than the United States?
- They are about the same size: within 5% of each other.