Mekong
The Mekong is a river in Southeast Asia, originating on the Tibetan Plateau and flowing to the South China Sea.
Also known as: Mekong River
How big is it?
4,350 km · approximate main-channel length
Also 2,703 mi
Approximate main-channel length · approximate
Typical recorded range: 4,300 km to 4,400 km.
A little perspective
Mekong vs Callisto: length comparison
The mean diameter of Callisto is about 1.11 times the main-channel length of the Mekong.
The Mekong is a river in Southeast Asia, originating on the Tibetan Plateau and flowing to the South China Sea.
Callisto is a natural satellite of Jupiter, with a heavily cratered icy surface.
Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Mekong
Approximate main-channel length: 4,350 km; approximate; range 4,300 km–4,400 km.
The Mekong is described by the cited source as approximately 4,350 km long from the Tibetan Plateau to its delta in the South China Sea. Headwater and channel-centreline conventions affect the total.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — Mekong River
The marked approximate main-channel length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Callisto
Mean diameter: 4,821 km; approximate.
Rounded mean-radius model of Callisto. The derived area and volume describe a sphere; surface terrain and flattening are omitted.
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 4,350 km
We compare the main-channel length of the Mekong. This is an estimate; check the notes for its rounding and uncertainty. The recorded range is 4,300 km to 4,400 km.
The Mekong is described by the cited source as approximately 4,350 km long from the Tibetan Plateau to its delta in the South China Sea. Headwater and channel-centreline conventions affect the total.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4,350 km | 4,300 km to 4,400 km | 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 featuresMurray River2,530 kmApproximate main-channel lengthThe Murray River is a major river in southeastern Australia, flowing from the Snowy Mountains to the Southern Ocean.Around the same scalePlaces and natural featuresAmazon River6,400 kmApproximate main-channel lengthThe Amazon River is a major waterway in South America that flows eastward across the continent and drains a vast rainforest basin.Nearest higher valuePlaces and natural featuresLena4,400 kmApproximate main-channel lengthThe Lena is a major river in eastern Siberia, Russia, flowing from the Baikal Mountains to the Laptev Sea.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Mekong RiverApproximately 4,350 km under the cited source and channel convention.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
PlacesAmazon River6,400 kmThe Amazon River is a major waterway in South America that flows eastward across the continent and drains a vast rainforest basin.PlacesMurray River2,530 kmThe Murray River is a major river in southeastern Australia, flowing from the Snowy Mountains to the Southern Ocean.
SpaceCallisto4,821 kmCallisto is a natural satellite of Jupiter, with a heavily cratered icy surface.
SpaceMercury4,879 kmMercury is a rocky planet orbiting closest to the Sun in the Solar System.
SpaceTitan5,150 kmTitan is a natural satellite of Saturn, with a thick nitrogen-rich atmosphere and surface lakes of hydrocarbons.
SpaceIo3,643 kmIo is a natural satellite of Jupiter, covered with active volcanoes and sulphur deposits.
SpaceGanymede5,262 kmGanymede is a natural satellite of Jupiter and contains a magnetic field generated by its partially liquid core.
SpaceMoon3,475 kmThe Moon is Earth’s natural satellite and the brightest large object in Earth’s night sky.