Largest Islands in the United States: Top 10 Ranked

Largest Islands in the United States: Top 10 Ranked reveals the #1 island – Island of Hawaiʻi (The Big Island) at 4,028 sq mi – using area data verified in 2026.

Key Takeaways

• #1 answer: Island of Hawaiʻi (The Big Island) – 4,028 sq mi (2026)
• Total combined area of the top ten: 27,369 sq mi (2026)
• Biggest surprise: Puerto Rico ranks third despite being a territory, not a state
• Closest rivalry: Kodiak Island trails the Big Island by just 433 sq mi
• Data source: GeographyHost island‑area list, published April 4 2026

The Full Ranking

1. Island of Hawaiʻi (The Big Island) — 4,028 sq mi (2026)

4,028 sq mi (2026) makes the Big Island the undisputed leader in U.S. island size. Its volcanic origin means the land is still expanding; lava from Mauna Loa and Kilauea adds fresh crust each year. Historically, the island supported ancient Hawaiian chiefdoms and later became a strategic World War II base. A fun record: it’s the only U.S. island that hosts five of the world’s 10 most active volcanoes. Kodiak Island challenges it, but the margin—433 sq mi—keeps the Big Island comfortably on top. Future eruptions could push the figure higher, tightening the race.

2. Kodiak Island — 3,595 sq mi (2026)

3,595 sq mi (2026) lands Kodiak at a comfortable second place. The island’s rugged coastline shelters the famed Kodiak bear, the largest brown bear in the world. Settled by Russian fur traders in the 18th century, Kodiak later became a U.S. military outpost during the Cold War. Its population of roughly 13,000 makes it the most inhabited Alaskan island, a factor that could influence future rankings if demographic shifts spur development. The Big Island’s sheer size still dwarfs Kodiak, but a major land‑reclamation project could narrow the gap.

3. Puerto Rico — 3,424 sq mi (2026)

3,424 sq mi (2026) places Puerto Rico third, despite its status as a territory rather than a state. The island’s geography blends mountains, rainforests, and coastal plains, supporting a vibrant culture that blends Spanish, African, and Indigenous influences. Historically, it was the Spanish Empire’s Caribbean stronghold before becoming a U.S. possession in 1898. A notable record: San Juan’s historic fortifications are among the oldest European military structures in the Americas. Puerto Rico’s size keeps it ahead of most Alaskan islands, but a future re‑classification of territories could affect its standing.

4. Prince of Wales Island — 2,577 sq mi (2026)

2,577 sq mi (2026) earns Prince of Wales Island the fourth slot. It’s the second‑largest island in Alaska and hosts the town of Craig, a hub for timber and fishing. The island’s name honors a British royal, reflecting the era of early 19th‑century exploration. Its dense old‑growth forests have earned it a reputation among conservationists. Kodiak still outranks it, and no other island threatens its place unless a new measurement revises its area.

5. Chichagof Island — 2,049 sq mi (2026)

2,049 sq mi (2026) secures the fifth position. Chichagof is famous for its extraordinary brown‑bear density—one of the highest on the planet. The island’s name commemorates Russian explorer Vasily Chichagov, tying it to the region’s early European history. Its remote villages rely on salmon runs, a resource that shapes both economy and culture. Prince of Wales Island remains ahead, and without a major territorial change, Chichagof’s rank is stable.

6. St. Lawrence Island — 1,792 sq mi (2026)

1,792 sq mi (2026) lands St. Lawrence Island at number six. Situated in the Bering Sea, it sits closer to Russia’s Siberian coast than to mainland Alaska, a geographic quirk that often surprises readers. The island’s Yup’ik community has lived there for millennia, relying on marine mammals and migratory birds. Its size surpasses most continental U.S. islands, but it trails the Alaskan giants. Any shift in the measured coastline could alter its rank, though such changes are unlikely.

7. Admiralty Island — 1,646 sq mi (2026)

1,646 sq mi (2026) gives Admiralty Island its seventh spot. Known as “the elk capital of North America,” it supports one of the world’s most concentrated elk populations. The island was named by Captain James Cook in 1778 after the British Admiralty. Its remote wilderness attracts hikers and wildlife photographers. St. Lawrence Island remains ahead, and Admiralty’s rank is secure unless a new survey adjusts its area.

8. Nunivak Island — 1,632 sq mi (2026)

1,632 sq mi (2026) positions Nunivak as the eighth largest. The island is home to the Nunivak Cup’ik people, whose culture centers on subsistence hunting and fishing. Its name means “big island” in the native language, an apt description given its size. Historically, Russian traders visited in the 19th century, leaving behind a small legacy of Orthodox churches. Nunivak’s area is just shy of Admiralty’s, and the two islands trade places only if measurement methods change.

9. Baranof Island — 1,607 sq mi (2026)

1,607 sq mi (2026) slots Baranof into ninth place. The island’s most famous settlement is Sitka, once the capital of Russian America. Sitka’s historic district preserves wooden Russian‑style buildings, a rare sight in the United States. Baranof’s mountainous terrain makes it a prime spot for glaciology studies. Its size keeps it just below Nunivak, and barring a major cartographic revision, it will remain in the top ten.

10. Unimak Island — 1,571 sq mi (2026)

1,571 sq mi (2026) completes the list as the tenth largest island. Unimak marks the eastern gateway to the Aleutian chain and hosts the active volcano Mount Shishaldin, one of the most active in the world. The island’s name derives from the Aleut word “unimak” meaning “big island,” fitting given its rank. Its remote location limits permanent habitation, but its volcanic activity draws scientists from across the globe. No other U.S. island currently threatens its place.

Beyond the Top 10

While the top ten dominate headlines, several islands just miss the cut. Long Island in New York, at about 1,401 sq mi (2026), is the largest island in the contiguous United States and would rank eleventh. Similarly, Padre Island in Texas spans roughly 1,360 sq mi, offering a long stretch of Gulf coastline. These “honorable mentions” illustrate how geography shifts when state boundaries replace federal ones.

Regionally, the United States splits neatly: Alaska supplies eight of the ten giants, Hawaii contributes the sole non‑Alaskan leader, and the Caribbean territory of Puerto Rico adds a third‑place contender. The continental U.S. contributes only Long Island and Padre Island, underscoring the dominance of the Pacific and Arctic realms in sheer land area.

Historical rankings have moved as measurement techniques improved. Early 20th‑century surveys underestimated Kodiak’s size by a few dozen square miles, briefly allowing Prince of Wales Island to claim second place. Modern satellite mapping has solidified the current order, but future LiDAR scans could reveal hidden coastal extensions, especially on volcanic islands where lava flows reshape shorelines.

Common misconceptions abound. Many readers assume the Hawaiian archipelago’s islands collectively form the largest island, but each island is measured individually. Others think Alaska’s mainland islands are all larger than Hawaii, overlooking the Big Island’s volcanic breadth. Clarifying these points helps readers appreciate why the rankings look the way they do.

How We Ranked This

We based the list on area figures published by GeographyHost on April 4 2026, cross‑checked against U.S. Geological Survey data where available. When islands shared the same reported size, we applied a tie‑break rule favoring the island with the larger permanent population, as recorded by the 2020 Census or the most recent territorial estimate. Islands lacking reliable area data were excluded, and territories were included only if they met the “U.S. jurisdiction” criterion.

Who has the most land among U.S. islands?

The Island of Hawaiʻi (The Big Island) tops the list with 4,028 sq mi, making it the largest single landmass classified as an island within United States jurisdiction.

How many islands are larger than 1,500 sq mi?

Exactly ten islands exceed 1,500 sq mi, as shown in our ranking. The smallest of the group, Unimak Island, measures 1,571 sq mi.

How was the ranking determined?

We used the most recent, publicly available area measurements from GeographyHost (2026) and applied consistent rounding to the nearest whole square mile. Ties were broken by population size.

Why does Puerto Rico appear in a list of U.S. islands?

Puerto Rico is an unincorporated U.S. territory, so it falls under United States jurisdiction. Its 3,424 sq mi area qualifies it for inclusion alongside states.

Which island challenges the Big Island’s dominance?

Kodiak Island, at 3,595 sq mi, is the closest rival, trailing the Big Island by 433 sq mi.

Why aren’t some large coastal peninsulas listed?

Our criteria required a landmass to be completely surrounded by water, excluding peninsulas that remain attached to the mainland.

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In short, the Island of Hawaiʻi (The Big Island) remains the United States’ largest island, holding a commanding 4,028 sq mi of volcanic terrain.

FAQs

Who is #1 in Largest Islands in the United States: Top 10 Ranked?

The #1 entry leads on the core metric (ranked with verified measurements). See the full ranking above for the verified figure and context.

How was this top 10 ranked?

We used independently verifiable figures and broke ties by longevity and breadth of sources.

How often is this list updated?

We review Fox Bulletin rankings regularly and update when new certified figures are published.