London
1,572 km²
Rome
1,285 km²
UK
Italy
Area Comparison
London is 1.2x larger than Rome
Population Comparison
London has 3.1x more people than Rome
In terms of area, London is 1.2x the size of Rome. London spans 1,572 km² (607 mi²) while Rome covers 1,285 km² (496 mi²) — a difference of 287 km².
To put London's size in perspective, its area of 1,572 km² is about 1.4x smaller than Tokyo (city proper). Meanwhile, Rome at 1,285 km² is about 1.2x smaller than London.
London's footprint is roughly about 220,000 American football fields, 27 times the area of Manhattan, or 15 times the area of Paris — pick whichever unit feels intuitive. For Rome, that's about 180,000 American football fields, 22 times the area of Manhattan, or 12 times the area of Paris.
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.
Rome is the capital city and most populated comune (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special comune named Roma Capitale with a population of 2.7 million in an area of 1,287.36 km2 (497.1 mi2), Rome is the third most populous city in the European Union by population within city limits. The Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, with a population of 4.2 million, is the most populous metropolitan city in Italy.
Nicknamed "The Eternal City", Rome has an area of 1,285 km² and is home to 2.9 million people. Its history stretches back to 753 BC. Visitors come for Colosseum, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Rome Metro.
Rome's special comune Roma Capitale spans 1,287 km2, making it the third most populous city in the EU within city limits
Looking beyond city limits, the London metropolitan area covers 8,382 km², which is 1.6x larger than greater Rome at 5,352 km². The London metro area is also more populous, with 14.3 million people compared to 4.3 million.
London has a population density of 5,712 people per km² — a densely populated city. Rome, with 2,233 people per km², is a moderately dense city. London is noticeably denser, packing 2.6 times more people per square kilometer.
Both cities are in Europe, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. London (UK) and Rome (Italy) offer a fascinating regional contrast.
London has a oceanic climate while Rome experiences Mediterranean conditions.
Density Gap
London is 2.6x more densely populated
History
Rome is ~796 years older
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).
Rome covers 1,285 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Los Angeles (1,302 km²), Phoenix (1,341 km²), Rio de Janeiro (1,221 km²), San Antonio (1,209 km²), or Lagos (1,172 km²).
The straight-line distance from London to Rome is 1,434 km (891 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~2h 11m.
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