Lagos
1,172 km²
London
1,572 km²
Nigeria
UK
Area Comparison
Lagos is 1.3x smaller than London
Population Comparison
Lagos has 1.7x more people than London
Yes — London is 1.3x larger than Lagos by area. London spans 1,572 km² (607 mi²) while Lagos covers 1,172 km² (453 mi²) — a difference of 400 km².
To put Lagos's size in perspective, its area of 1,172 km² is about 1.3x the size of Berlin. Meanwhile, London at 1,572 km² is about 1.4x smaller than Tokyo (city proper).
In more relatable units, Lagos's 1,172 km² is about 164,000 American football fields, 20 times the area of Manhattan, or 11 times the area of Paris. London, by comparison, equals about 220,000 American football fields, 27 times the area of Manhattan, or 15 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.
Known as "Lasgidi", Lagos covers 1,172 km² with a population of 15.4 million. The city was established in 1472. Lagos is known for Victoria Island, Lekki Conservation Centre, Nike Art Gallery, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Lagos Rail (Blue & Red Lines).
Lagos is the most populous urban area on the African continent, with an estimated 17 to 21 million residents as of 2025.
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.1 million people in 2024. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.1 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile (80 km) tidal estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a major settlement for nearly 2,000 years.
Nicknamed "The Big Smoke", London has an area of 1,572 km² and is home to 9.0 million people. Its history stretches back to 43. Visitors come for Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and much more. Getting around is easy with the London Underground.
London has been a major settlement for nearly 2,000 years, tracing its roots back to Roman times around 47 AD.
Looking beyond city limits, the London metropolitan area covers 8,382 km², which is 3.1x larger than greater Lagos at 2,706 km². The Lagos metro area is also more populous, with 21.0 million people compared to 14.3 million.
Lagos has a population density of 13,131 people per km² — an extremely dense urban environment. London, with 5,712 people per km², is a densely populated city. Lagos is noticeably denser, packing 2.3 times more people per square kilometer.
This comparison spans continents — Lagos in Africa versus London in Europe. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Lagos has a tropical savanna climate while London experiences oceanic conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Lagos stays around 27°C while London drops to 5°C.
Density Gap
Lagos is 2.3x more densely populated
History
London is ~1,429 years older
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).
London covers 1,572 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Bangkok (1,569 km²), Bogotá (1,578 km²), São Paulo (1,521 km²), Johannesburg (1,644 km²), or Mexico City (1,485 km²).
The straight-line distance from Lagos to London is 5,012 km (3,115 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~6h 24m.
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