Real size
How big is Russia really?
16.9 million km²
6.51 million sq mi · Largest of the 167 here · about 1.7 times the size of Canada
Normal web maps draw it 4.9× too big
Russia covers 16.9 million km² (6.51 million sq mi), about 1.7 times the size of Canada. A normal web map draws it about 4.9 times too big, because it lies far from the equator (around 66°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.
Part of the land Russia holds or claims is disputed (4 disputes). Our area follows the borders drawn on today's map. See the disputed territories →
- Real area
- 16.9 million km²
- Size rank
- 1st of 167
- On a normal web map
- 4.9× too big
- Latitude
- 66°N
Countries about the same size
- CanadaRussia is 1.7 times the size of Canada
- United StatesRussia is 1.8 times the size of the United States
- ChinaRussia is 1.8 times the size of China
- BrazilRussia is 2 times the size of Brazil
- AustraliaRussia is 2.2 times the size of Australia
Russia 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 Russia?
- Russia covers about 16.9 million km² (6.51 million sq mi). It is the largest of the 167 countries and territories on these pages (those over 5,000 km²).
- Why does Russia 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 Russia about 4.9 times too big.
- Is Russia bigger than Canada?
- Yes. Russia is about 1.7 times the size of Canada.