Nile
The Nile is a prominent river in northeastern Africa, flowing northward through several countries before reaching the Mediterranean Sea.
Also known as: Nile River
How big is it?
6,650 km long
Also 4,132 mi
Approximate river-system length · approximate
Typical recorded range: 6,550 km to 6,750 km.
A little perspective
About the same scale as Mars.
Mars: Mars is a rocky planet orbiting the Sun, with a reddish surface due to iron oxide.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Nile
The Nile is commonly listed at approximately 6,650 km from its remotest headstream to the Mediterranean Sea. The system has several sources, and source and centreline conventions affect the total.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — Nile River
The marked approximate river-system length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Mars
Mean-radius spherical model for Mars; actual shape is not perfectly spherical.
NASA JPL — planetary physical parameters
The marked mean diameter is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 6,650 km
For comparison, this page uses approximate river-system length. This is labelled approximate; the central value is useful for comparison, while real values or measurement solutions can vary. The recorded range is 6,550 km to 6,750 km.
The Nile is commonly listed at approximately 6,650 km from its remotest headstream to the Mediterranean Sea. The system has several sources, and source and centreline conventions affect the total.
The marked horizontal span follows the named feature; transparent margins and unmeasured details do not alter it. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Nile dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6,650 km | 6,550 km to 6,750 km | approximate |
Around this scale
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible length records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · PlacesYellow River5,464 kmThe Yellow River, or Huang He, is a major river in northern China, flowing from the Bayan Har Mountains to the Bohai Sea.Around the same scale · PlacesCongo River4,700 kmThe Congo River is a major waterway in Central Africa, flowing through dense rainforest and forming an extensive drainage basin.
Nearest higher value · SpaceMars6,779 kmMars is a rocky planet orbiting the Sun, with a reddish surface due to iron oxide.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Nile RiverCommonly published 6,650 km river-system length; the Nile has several headstream conventions.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
PlacesCongo River4,700 kmThe Congo River is a major waterway in Central Africa, flowing through dense rainforest and forming an extensive drainage basin.PlacesYellow River5,464 kmThe Yellow River, or Huang He, is a major river in northern China, flowing from the Bayan Har Mountains to the Bohai Sea.SpaceMars6,779 kmMars is a rocky planet orbiting the Sun, with a reddish surface due to iron oxide.
SpaceGanymede5,262 kmGanymede is a natural satellite of Jupiter and contains a magnetic field generated by its partially liquid core.
SpaceTitan5,150 kmTitan is a natural satellite of Saturn, with a thick nitrogen-rich atmosphere and surface lakes of hydrocarbons.
SpaceMercury4,879 kmMercury is a rocky planet orbiting closest to the Sun in the Solar System.
SpaceCallisto4,821 kmCallisto is a natural satellite of Jupiter, with a heavily cratered icy surface.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.