City Map Compare/London vs Paris
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5 km
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London

1,572 km²

Paris

105 km²

London vs Paris - City Size Comparison

London vs Paris - City Size Comparison

London

UK

Area1,572 km²
Population8.98M
Density5,712 /km²
Elevation11 m
Metro Pop.14.3M
Founded43
Climateoceanic
Paris

France

Area105 km²
Population2.16M
Density20,571 /km²
Elevation35 m
Metro Pop.12.3M
Founded250 BC
Climateoceanic

Area Comparison

London is 15.0x larger than Paris

Population Comparison

London has 4.2x more people than Paris

Is London Bigger Than Paris?

In terms of area, London is 15.0x the size of Paris. London spans 1,572 km² (607 mi²) while Paris covers 105 km² (41 mi²) — a difference of 1,467 km². You could fit Paris inside London approximately 14 times.

To put London's size in perspective, its area of 1,572 km² is about 1.4x smaller than Tokyo (city proper). Meanwhile, Paris at 105 km² is about 1.2x smaller than San Francisco.

Picture London another way: its area is large enough to fit about 220,000 American football fields, 27 times the area of Manhattan, or 15 times the area of Paris. Paris works out to about 15,000 American football fields, 52 times the area of Monaco, or 31 times the area of Central Park.

About London

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.

Known as "The Big Smoke", London covers 1,572 km² with a population of 9.0 million. The city was established in 43. London is known for Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the London Underground.

London has been a major settlement for nearly 2,000 years, tracing its roots back to Roman times around 47 AD.

About Paris

Paris is the capital and largest city of France, with an estimated city population of 2.04 million in an area of 105.4 km2 (40.7 sq mi), and a metropolitan population of 13.2 million as of January 2026. Located on the river Seine in the centre of the Île-de-France region, it is the largest metropolitan area and fourth-most populous city in the European Union (EU).

Also known as "City of Light", Paris has an area of 105 km² and is home to 2.2 million people. It was founded around 250 BC. Visitors come for Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Paris Métro.

Paris packs 2.04 million people into just 105 km2, giving it one of the highest urban densities in Europe.

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Paris metropolitan area covers 17,174 km², which is 2.0x larger than greater London at 8,382 km². The London metro area is also more populous, with 14.3 million people compared to 12.3 million.

Population Density

London has a population density of 5,712 people per km² — a densely populated city. Paris, with 20,571 people per km², is one of the most densely packed urban areas on Earth. Paris is dramatically more crowded, with 3.6x the population density.

Both cities are in Europe, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. London (UK) and Paris (France) offer a fascinating regional contrast.

Climate & Time Zone

Both cities share a oceanic climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each.

Key Differences at a Glance

Size Ratio

Paris fits inside London ~14 times

Density Gap

Paris is 3.6x more densely populated

History

Paris is ~293 years older

Cities Similar in Size to London

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).

Cities Similar in Size to Paris

Paris covers 105 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Barcelona (101 km²), Lisbon (100 km²), Vancouver (115 km²), San Francisco (121 km²), or Copenhagen (91 km²).

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is larger, London or Paris?
London is 15.0 times larger than Paris by area. London covers 1,572 km² while Paris spans 105 km², a difference of 1,467 km².
How many times does Paris fit inside London?
Paris (105 km²) fits inside London (1,572 km²) approximately 14 times. That means London is 15.0x the area of Paris.
What is the population difference between London and Paris?
London has approximately 9.0 million people, while Paris has about 2.2 million. London has 6.8 million more residents.
Which city is more densely populated, London or Paris?
Paris is more densely populated with 20,571 people per km², compared to 5,712 people per km².
Which city is older, London or Paris?
Paris is older, founded around -250, while London was established around 43 — a difference of about 293 years.
How does the map comparison work?
Our synchronized map comparison tool displays both cities at the same zoom level. When you zoom in or out on one map, the other automatically adjusts to maintain the same scale, allowing you to directly compare the relative sizes of both cities.
Can I compare other cities?
Yes! Use the city selectors at the top of the page to choose any two cities from our database of 50+ major cities worldwide, or enter custom coordinates for any location.

Distance Between London and Paris

The straight-line distance from London to Paris is 344 km (213 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~54m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.

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