How Big Is Chennai?

India

Area

427 km²

165 mi²

Population

6.6M

Density

15,457/km²

Founded

1639

Those figures stop at the official city limits. Measured by continuous built-up land, Chennai's urban area covers 1,052 km² and has 11.5 million people (2025), the 30th largest in the world. Source: GHSL Urban Centre Database R2024A, European Commission JRC (CC BY 4.0).

Chennai Size Overview

Chennai covers an area of 427 km² (165 mi²) in India. Capital of Tamil Nadu, India. The city is often called "Madras". To put this in perspective, Chennai is about 1.4x smaller than Seoul. In more relatable units, that's about 60,000 American football fields, 130 times the area of Central Park, or 7 times the area of Manhattan.

Chennai, also known as Madras, is the capital and largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. As per the 2011 Indian census, Chennai is the sixth-most-populous city in India and forms the fourth-most-populous urban agglomeration. The city is coterminous with Chennai district, which together with the adjoining suburbs constitutes the Chennai Metropolitan Area, one of the largest metropolitan areas of India.

With a population of 6.6 million, Chennai has a population density of 15,457 people per km².

Chennai has a history stretching back to 1639. The city is renowned for Marina Beach, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Fort St. George, and Kollywood film industry.

Did You Know?

  • Chennai, formerly Madras, is the capital of Tamil Nadu and the sixth-most-populous city in India.
  • Chennai sits on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, anchoring one of India's largest metropolitan areas.
  • The Chennai Metropolitan Area is coterminous with Chennai district plus its adjoining suburbs.

Compare Chennai with Other Cities

Chennai vs Mumbai

603 km² · India

Compare Chennai with any city using our interactive map tool.

Cities Similar in Size to Chennai

Chennai covers 427 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Vienna (415 km²), Oslo (454 km²), Denver (401 km²), Portland (376 km²), or Philadelphia (370 km²).

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Frequently Asked Questions about Chennai

How big is Chennai in square miles?
Chennai covers 427 km², which is approximately 165 square miles.
What is the population of Chennai?
Chennai has a population of approximately 6.6 million people.
What is the population density of Chennai?
Chennai has a population density of 15,457 people per km² (40,034 per mi²).
How does Chennai compare to Mumbai?
Chennai covers 427 km² while Mumbai covers 603 km². Mumbai is 1.4x larger. Use our interactive map tool to compare them side by side.
Can I compare Chennai with other cities on a map?
Yes! City Map Compare lets you compare Chennai with any of 96 other cities side by side on synchronized maps. Both maps maintain the same zoom level so you can see the real difference in size.