How many times bigger is the Sun than the Earth?

About 109 times wider — the Sun's diameter is roughly 109 times Earth's. By volume, more than a million Earths could fit inside the Sun.

Why does the Sun look small if it is so big?

Because it is very far away — about 150 million kilometres from Earth. Distant things look tiny, just as a faraway plane or hilltop looks like a small dot.

How wide is the Sun compared to Earth in kilometres?

The Sun is about 1.4 million kilometres across, while Earth is about 12,700 kilometres across. That makes the Sun roughly 109 times wider.

Is the Sun a planet or a star?

The Sun is a star — a huge glowing ball of hot gas that makes its own light and heat. Earth is a rocky planet that orbits the Sun and does not make its own light.

How many Earths can fit across the Sun?

About 109 Earths could line up in a single row across the middle of the Sun. Filling the whole inside of the Sun would take more than a million Earths.

How Big Is the Sun vs Earth?

Science Interactive lesson Free to play

The Sun versus Earth size comparison is the difference in physical size between our planet and the star it orbits. The Sun is a giant ball of hot gas about 1.4 million kilometres wide, while Earth is roughly 12,700 kilometres wide — so the Sun's diameter is about 109 times that of Earth. Lined up edge to edge, about 109 Earths would stretch across the middle of the Sun.

The difference is even bigger by volume: you could fit well over a million Earths inside the Sun. The Sun only looks small in our sky because it sits about 150 million kilometres away, and distant objects look tiny — the same reason a far-off aeroplane looks like a dot.

Key ideas a learner picks up: diameter measures width across a circle, the Sun is a star while Earth is a rocky planet, and apparent size depends on distance as well as real size.

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A giant and a dot

☀️🌍 How Big Is the Sun vs Earth? The Sun looks like a small glowing circle in our sky. But it is really, really enormous — and our Earth is tiny next to it! In this lesson you'll discover: ⭐ how many Earths fit across the Sun • ⭐ how many fit inside • ⭐ why the Sun still looks small to us Tap Next to begin your space adventure 🚀
See the size

The Sun is a giant ball Here are the Sun and the Earth shown at their real size next to each other. Tap each one to learn what it is! Earth The little blue dot really is Earth, drawn to scale beside the Sun. 👆 Tap the big yellow Sun, then the tiny blue Earth.
Two big numbers

Two amazing facts Scientists have measured both worlds. Tap each card to flip it and reveal the surprise! 📏 Earths across the Sun? About 109 Earths in a row! 🫙 Earths inside the Sun? About 1.3 million! Across = lined up edge to edge. Inside = filling up the whole ball like marbles in a jar.
Make a guess

Line them up! Imagine placing Earths in a row across the middle of the Sun. How many would fit? Slide to your guess, then press the button. 10 200 My guess: 50 Earths Check my guess ✨ Hint: the real answer is more than 100 but less than 120!
Fill it up

Fill the Sun with Earths Tap the + Add Earths button to drop little Earths inside the Sun. Watch how many it takes — even when the Sun looks "full" of dots, the real answer is way bigger! 🌍 Earths added: 0 + Add Earths Reset
Why so small?

So why does the Sun look small? If the Sun is such a giant, why does it look like a little coin in our sky? Pick the best answer: very, very far us The Sun shrinks in the day It is super far away It is actually small
You did it!

🌟 Brilliant work, space explorer! Here's what you now know about the Sun and Earth: ☀️ The Sun is a giant star — much, much bigger than Earth. 📏 About 109 Earths could line up across the Sun. 🫙 About 1.3 million Earths could fit inside it! 🌍 Earth is a planet that travels around the Sun. 👀 The Sun looks small only because it is very, very far away. Next time you see the Sun, remember — that little glow is really a colossal ball of fire! ☀️🚀

Frequently asked questions

How many times bigger is the Sun than the Earth?: About 109 times wider — the Sun's diameter is roughly 109 times Earth's. By volume, more than a million Earths could fit inside the Sun.
Why does the Sun look small if it is so big?: Because it is very far away — about 150 million kilometres from Earth. Distant things look tiny, just as a faraway plane or hilltop looks like a small dot.
How wide is the Sun compared to Earth in kilometres?: The Sun is about 1.4 million kilometres across, while Earth is about 12,700 kilometres across. That makes the Sun roughly 109 times wider.
Is the Sun a planet or a star?: The Sun is a star — a huge glowing ball of hot gas that makes its own light and heat. Earth is a rocky planet that orbits the Sun and does not make its own light.
How many Earths can fit across the Sun?: About 109 Earths could line up in a single row across the middle of the Sun. Filling the whole inside of the Sun would take more than a million Earths.

How Big Is the Sun vs Earth?

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