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 · approximate river-system length
Also 4,132 mi
Approximate river-system length · approximate
Typical recorded range: 6,550 km to 6,750 km.
A little perspective
Nile vs Mars: length comparison
The mean diameter of Mars is about 1.02 times the river-system length of the Nile.
The Nile is a prominent river in northeastern Africa, flowing northward through several countries before reaching the Mediterranean Sea.
Mars is a rocky planet orbiting the Sun, with a reddish surface due to iron oxide.
Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Nile
Approximate river-system length: 6,650 km; approximate; range 6,550 km–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.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — Nile River
The marked approximate river-system length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Mars
Mean diameter: 6,779 km; approximate.
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.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 6,650 km
We compare the river-system length of the Nile. This is an estimate; check the notes for its rounding and uncertainty. 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 measured feature, not the edges of the image. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6,650 km | 6,550 km to 6,750 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 featuresYellow River5,464 kmApproximate main-channel lengthThe 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 scalePlaces and natural featuresCongo River4,700 kmApproximate river-system lengthThe Congo River is a major waterway in Central Africa, flowing through dense rainforest and forming an extensive drainage basin.
Nearest higher valuePlanets, moons and spaceMars6,779 kmMean diameterMars 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.