How big is Pakistan, exactly? The official figure — 881,913 square kilometres — puts it among the world’s larger countries, but the number carries history: it changed with the 2020 official map. This guide explains the figure, how it’s measured, and how Pakistan compares.
Quick answer: Pakistan’s total area is 881,913 sq km (340,509 sq miles) — the 33rd largest country in the world, roughly four times the UK and slightly smaller than Tanzania. The figure includes Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir as shown on the official 2020 map.
In this guide
The Figure
881,913 sq km is the figure published by the Survey of Pakistan and used in official documents. It breaks down roughly as: Balochistan ~347,000 (the giant, ~44%), Punjab ~205,000, Sindh ~141,000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ~101,000 (with merged tribal districts), plus Gilgit-Baltistan ~72,000 and Azad Kashmir ~13,000. Older sources sometimes cite 796,095 sq km (excluding the northern areas) — the current official figure is 881,913.
How It’s Measured
Area is measured by the Survey of Pakistan — the national mapping agency — using satellite imagery and ground surveys. Disputed territories complicate the count: Pakistan’s figure includes areas it administers (Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK) per the 2020 official political map, while India’s figures differ. This is normal for countries with unresolved borders — the “total area” is always the claimant’s official figure.
Comparisons
- World rank: 33rd largest country
- vs UK: about 3.6× larger
- vs Texas: about 1.27× larger
- vs India: roughly a quarter of India’s area
- vs France: about 1.6× larger
Big enough to hold K2 and a tropical coastline in the same borders. See the territory: map of Pakistan with cities.
Area by Province
Where the 881,913 sq km sits: Balochistan ~347,000 (44% of Pakistan — bigger than the other three provinces combined), Punjab ~205,000, Sindh ~141,000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ~101,000 (including the merged tribal districts), Gilgit-Baltistan ~72,000 and Azad Kashmir ~13,000, plus the capital territory. The imbalance shapes politics: Punjab holds over half the population on less than a quarter of the land. Provincial breakdown: provinces of Pakistan.
Area by Province
Where the 881,913 sq km sits: Balochistan ~347,000 (44% of Pakistan — bigger than the other three provinces combined), Punjab ~205,000, Sindh ~141,000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ~101,000 (including the merged tribal districts), Gilgit-Baltistan ~72,000 and Azad Kashmir ~13,000, plus the capital territory. The imbalance shapes politics: Punjab holds over half the population on less than a quarter of the land. Provincial breakdown: provinces of Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the area of Pakistan?
881,913 square kilometres (340,509 square miles) — the official Survey of Pakistan figure, making it the world’s 33rd largest country.
Is Pakistan bigger than India?
No — India (3.29 million sq km) is roughly 3.7 times larger than Pakistan. Pakistan is, however, larger than the UK, France and Texas.
