Capitol Building vs White House: Height and Area Comparison
The United States Capitol and the White House are two of the most important buildings in the United States.
While both are symbols of the US government, they are very different in size and scale.
This article compares them based on height and total area.
Basic Overview
| Feature | U.S. Capitol | White House |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Washington, D.C. | Washington, D.C. |
| Main Function | Congress (House & Senate) | President’s residence & offices |
| Completion | 1800 (expanded later) | 1800 |
Height Comparison
| Building | Height |
|---|---|
| U.S. Capitol | 88 meters (288 ft) |
| White House | 21 meters (70 ft) |
What This Means
- The Capitol Building is about 4 times taller than the White House
- The Capitol dome makes it one of the tallest structures in central D.C.
👉 Winner in height: U.S. Capitol
Floor Area Comparison
| Building | Total Floor Area |
|---|---|
| U.S. Capitol | ~158,000 m² (≈ 1.7 million sq ft) |
| White House | ~5,100 m² (≈ 55,000 sq ft) |
What This Means
- The Capitol Building is over 30 times larger by area
- It includes hundreds of rooms, offices, and chambers
- The White House is much smaller and more residential
👉 Winner in area: U.S. Capitol
Simple Example
Think of it like this:
- The U.S. Capitol is like a large government campus
- The White House is like a large mansion with offices
Both are important, but they serve very different roles.
Quick Comparison Table
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Height | U.S. Capitol |
| Total Area | U.S. Capitol |
| Official Residence | White House |
| Legislative Building | U.S. Capitol |
Final Thoughts
- The U.S. Capitol is much taller and dramatically larger
- The White House is smaller but serves as the home and office of the President
- Size does not equal importance — both buildings play key roles in US government
If you are comparing physical size, the Capitol clearly stands out.
If you are comparing symbolic leadership, the White House holds that place.
