How Big Is Lagos?
Nigeria · Africa
Area
1,172 km²
453 mi²
Population
15.4M
Metro: 21.0M
Density
13,131/km²
Founded
1472
Lagos Size Overview
Lagos covers an area of 1,172 km² (453 mi²) in Nigeria, Africa. Most populous city in Nigeria. The city is often called "Lasgidi". To put this in perspective, Lagos is about 1.3x the size of Berlin. In more relatable units, that's about 164,000 American football fields, 20 times the area of Manhattan, or 11 times the area of Paris.
Lagos, or Lagos City, is a large metropolitan port city in southwestern Nigeria. As of November 2025, the size of the city's population has been estimated to be between 17 and 21 million residents, making Lagos the largest city in Nigeria, the most populous urban area on the African continent, and one of the fastest-growing megacities in the world.
With a population of 15.4 million (21.0 million in the metropolitan area), Lagos has a population density of 13,131 people per km². The greater Lagos metropolitan area extends to 2,706 km².
Lagos has a history stretching back to 1472. The city is renowned for Victoria Island, Lekki Conservation Centre, Nike Art Gallery, and Tarkwa Bay Beach.
Lagos has a tropical savanna climate, with summer temperatures averaging 27°C and winters around 27°C. The city's main public transit system is the Lagos Rail (Blue & Red Lines).
Did You Know?
- Lagos is the most populous urban area on the African continent, with an estimated 17 to 21 million residents as of 2025.
- Lagos is one of the fastest-growing megacities in the world and Nigeria's largest metropolitan port city.
- Lagos sits in southwestern Nigeria and serves as the country's primary commercial port.
Compare Lagos with Other Cities
Compare Lagos with any city using our interactive map tool.
Cities Similar in Size to Lagos
Lagos covers 1,172 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include San Antonio (1,209 km²), Rio de Janeiro (1,221 km²), Hong Kong (1,114 km²), Rome (1,285 km²), or Los Angeles (1,302 km²).