How Big Is Los Angeles?

USA · North America

Area

1,302 km²

503 mi²

Population

4.0M

Metro: 13.2M

Density

3,049/km²

Founded

1781

Los Angeles Size Overview

Los Angeles covers an area of 1,302 km² (503 mi²) in USA, North America. Most populous city in California, U.S.. The city is often called "The City of Angels". To put this in perspective, Los Angeles is about 1.2x smaller than London. In more relatable units, that's about 182,000 American football fields, 22 times the area of Manhattan, or 12 times the area of Paris.

Los Angeles (LA) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Southern California. With an estimated 3.88 million residents within the city limits as of 2024, it is the second-most populous city in the United States, behind New York City, and the largest city in the Western United States. The city has an ethnically and culturally diverse population, and is the principal city of a metropolitan area of 12.9 million people (2024).

With a population of 4.0 million (13.2 million in the metropolitan area), Los Angeles has a population density of 3,049 people per km². The greater Los Angeles metropolitan area extends to 12,562 km².

Los Angeles has a history stretching back to 1781. The city is renowned for Hollywood Sign, Santa Monica Pier, Beverly Hills, and Venice Beach.

Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate, with summer temperatures averaging 24°C and winters around 14°C. The city's main public transit system is the LA Metro.

Did You Know?

  • Los Angeles is the second-most populous city in the United States, home to 3.88 million residents within city limits as of 2024.
  • LA anchors a metropolitan area of 12.9 million people, the largest in the entire Western United States.
  • The city is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Southern California, with one of the most diverse populations in America.

Compare Los Angeles with Other Cities

Compare Los Angeles with any city using our interactive map tool.

Cities Similar in Size to Los Angeles

Los Angeles covers 1,302 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Rome (1,285 km²), Phoenix (1,341 km²), Rio de Janeiro (1,221 km²), San Antonio (1,209 km²), or Lagos (1,172 km²).

Frequently Asked Questions about Los Angeles

How big is Los Angeles in square miles?
Los Angeles covers 1,302 km², which is approximately 503 square miles. The metropolitan area extends to 12,562 km² (4,850 mi²).
What is the population of Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a population of approximately 4.0 million people. The greater metropolitan area is home to 13.2 million.
What is the population density of Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a population density of 3,049 people per km² (7,897 per mi²).
How does Los Angeles compare to San Francisco?
Los Angeles covers 1,302 km² while San Francisco covers 121 km². Los Angeles is 10.8x larger. Use our interactive map tool to compare them side by side.
Can I compare Los Angeles with other cities on a map?
Yes! City Map Compare lets you compare Los Angeles 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.