Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a vast, steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in northern Arizona, United States.
Also known as: Grand Canyon of the Colorado
How big is it?
446 km · canyon length
Also 277.1 mi
Canyon length · approximate
A little perspective
Grand Canyon vs Mimas: length comparison
The canyon length of the Grand Canyon is about 1.13 times the mean diameter of mimas.
The Grand Canyon is a vast, steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in northern Arizona, United States.
Mimas is an icy moon of Saturn, visually dominated by the large Herschel impact crater.
Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Grand Canyon
Canyon length: 446 km; approximate.
Grand Canyon is approximately 446 km long. The measured line is a length comparison, not a route or a claim that the canyon follows a straight path.
US National Park Service — Grand Canyon facts
The marked canyon length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Mimas
Mean diameter: 396.4 km; approximate; range 395 km–398 km.
Saturn’s moon Mimas is about 396 km across and dominated visually by Herschel crater. The diameter is a mean for an imperfect sphere.
NASA JPL — Planetary satellite physical parameters
The marked mean diameter is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 446 km
We compare the canyon length of the Grand Canyon. This is an estimate; check the notes for its rounding and uncertainty.
Grand Canyon is approximately 446 km long. The measured line is a length comparison, not a route or a claim that the canyon follows a straight path.
The marked horizontal span follows the measured feature, not the edges of the image. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 446 km | Not recorded | approximate |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valuePlaces and natural featuresRiver Thames346 kmApproximate main-channel lengthThe River Thames is a major river in southern England that flows through London and empties into the North Sea.Around the same scaleVehicles and transportFive-hour drive at 100 km/h500 kmDistanceA five-hour drive at a set speed is the distance a vehicle covers in five hours of continuous travel without breaks.Nearest higher valuePlaces and natural featuresYarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon504 kmApproximate canyon lengthThe Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon is a deep river gorge in Tibet, following the Yarlung Tsangpo River through the Himalayas.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- US National Park Service — Grand Canyon factsGrand Canyon is approximately 277 miles (446 km) long.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
PlacesYarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon504 kmThe Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon is a deep river gorge in Tibet, following the Yarlung Tsangpo River through the Himalayas.
SpaceMimas396.4 kmMimas is an icy moon of Saturn, visually dominated by the large Herschel impact crater.TransportFive-hour drive at 100 km/h500 kmA five-hour drive at a set speed is the distance a vehicle covers in five hours of continuous travel without breaks.
SpaceEnceladus504.2 kmEnceladus is a natural satellite of Saturn, with an icy surface and plumes of water vapour erupting from its south pole.
SpaceCharon1,212 kmCharon is a natural satellite of Pluto, composed mainly of rock and water ice.
Places10,000 km² region10,000 km²A region is a large expanse of land defined by geographical or administrative boundaries.
SpaceCeres939.4 kmCeres is a dwarf planet located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.TransportOne-hour drive at 100 km/h100 kmA one-hour drive at a set speed is the distance a vehicle travels in one hour of uninterrupted motion.