Looking for a complete list of states by size? See the full ranking of all 50 U.S. states by total area, including land and water breakdowns, plus interesting geographic facts.
When people search for states by size, they usually want one of three things:
- A complete ranking of all 50 U.S. states by total area
- A comparison between the largest and smallest states
- Interesting geographic facts and land vs water differences
This complete 2026 guide covers all of that in one place.
How Are States Ranked by Size?
States are ranked by total area, which includes:
- Land area
- Inland water (lakes, rivers)
- Coastal waters
Total area is the standard measurement used by the U.S. Census Bureau.
States by Size – Full Ranking (Largest to Smallest)
🥇 Top 10 Largest States by Total Area
| Rank | State | Total Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 663,267 |
| 2 | Texas | 268,596 |
| 3 | California | 163,696 |
| 4 | Montana | 147,040 |
| 5 | New Mexico | 121,590 |
| 6 | Arizona | 113,990 |
| 7 | Nevada | 110,572 |
| 8 | Colorado | 104,094 |
| 9 | Oregon | 98,379 |
| 10 | Wyoming | 97,813 |
Largest State: Alaska
- Larger than Texas, California, and Montana combined
- Massive wilderness and coastline
- More than twice the size of Texas
Alaska alone makes up about 17% of the total U.S. land area.
Second Largest: Texas
- Largest state in the contiguous U.S.
- Bigger than many countries in Europe
- Diverse geography: deserts, forests, coastline
Third Largest: California
- Long Pacific coastline
- Mountains, deserts, valleys
- Most populous U.S. state
10 Smallest States by Size
| Rank | State | Total Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Indiana | 36,420 |
| 42 | Maine | 35,380 |
| 43 | South Carolina | 32,020 |
| 44 | West Virginia | 24,230 |
| 45 | Maryland | 12,407 |
| 46 | Hawaii | 10,932 |
| 47 | Massachusetts | 10,565 |
| 48 | Vermont | 9,616 |
| 49 | New Hampshire | 9,349 |
| 50 | Rhode Island | 1,545 |
Smallest State: Rhode Island
- Only 1,545 square miles
- Smallest U.S. state by area
- Still larger than some independent countries
Land Area vs Water Area Differences
Some states rank higher because of their water area:
- Michigan has massive water coverage due to the Great Lakes
- Florida includes coastal waters and wetlands
- Hawaii includes ocean territory
If ranked by land area only, the order slightly changes.
States by Size – Interesting Facts
- Alaska is about 430 times larger than Rhode Island
- Texas is bigger than France
- California is larger than Germany
- Montana has fewer people than many major cities
- Wyoming is the least populated state among the larger western states
Quick Reference: Top 5 vs Bottom 5
Largest 5 States:
- Alaska
- Texas
- California
- Montana
- New Mexico
Smallest 5 States:
- Rhode Island
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Massachusetts
- Hawaii
States by Size (Contiguous U.S. Only)
If excluding Alaska and Hawaii:
- Texas
- California
- Montana
- New Mexico
- Arizona
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest U.S. state by size?
Alaska is the largest by total area.
What is the smallest U.S. state?
Rhode Island is the smallest by area.
Is Texas bigger than California?
Yes, Texas is significantly larger in total area.
Which state has the most water area?
Michigan has the largest percentage of water due to the Great Lakes.
Is Alaska bigger than Texas and California combined?
Yes, Alaska is larger than both combined.
Final Thoughts
Understanding states by size helps put U.S. geography into perspective. From the massive wilderness of Alaska to the compact coastlines of Rhode Island, the size differences are dramatic.
Whether you’re studying geography, planning travel, or just curious about U.S. rankings, this complete guide gives you a clear breakdown of all 50 states by area.