How Big Is Kuala Lumpur?

Malaysia · Asia

Area

243 km²

94 mi²

Population

2.0M

Metro: 8.4M

Density

8,148/km²

Founded

1857

Kuala Lumpur Size Overview

Kuala Lumpur covers an area of 243 km² (94 mi²) in Malaysia, Asia. Capital of Malaysia and The First Federal Territory. The city is often called "KL". To put this in perspective, Kuala Lumpur is about 1.1x the size of Amsterdam. In more relatable units, that's about 34,000 American football fields, 120 times the area of Monaco, or 71 times the area of Central Park.

Kuala Lumpur (KL), officially the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, is the capital city and a federal territory of Malaysia. It is the most populous city in the country, covering an area of 243 km2 (94 sq mi) with a population of 2,075,600 as of 2024. Greater Kuala Lumpur, which itself includes the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 8.8 million people as of 2024. It is among the fastest growing metropolitan regions in Southeast Asia, in terms of both population and economic development.

With a population of 2.0 million (8.4 million in the metropolitan area), Kuala Lumpur has a population density of 8,148 people per km². The greater Kuala Lumpur metropolitan area extends to 2,793 km².

Kuala Lumpur has a history stretching back to 1857. The city is renowned for Petronas Twin Towers, Batu Caves, Merdeka 118, and KL Tower.

Kuala Lumpur has a tropical rainforest climate, with summer temperatures averaging 28°C and winters around 27°C. The city's main public transit system is the RapidKL (LRT, MRT & Monorail).

Did You Know?

  • Kuala Lumpur packs 2.07 million people into just 243 km2, making it Malaysia's most populous city by far
  • Greater Kuala Lumpur's Klang Valley agglomeration holds 8.8 million people, ranking among Southeast Asia's fastest growing metros

Cities Similar in Size to Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur covers 243 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Boston (232 km²), Edinburgh (259 km²), Osaka (225 km²), Amsterdam (219 km²), or Taipei (272 km²).

Frequently Asked Questions about Kuala Lumpur

How big is Kuala Lumpur in square miles?
Kuala Lumpur covers 243 km², which is approximately 94 square miles. The metropolitan area extends to 2,793 km² (1,078 mi²).
What is the population of Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur has a population of approximately 2.0 million people. The greater metropolitan area is home to 8.4 million.
What is the population density of Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur has a population density of 8,148 people per km² (21,103 per mi²).
Can I compare Kuala Lumpur with other cities on a map?
Yes! City Map Compare lets you compare Kuala Lumpur with any of 50+ cities side by side on synchronized maps. Both maps maintain the same zoom level so you can see the real difference in size.