Chennai Population 2026
Chennai has a population of 4,681,087, making it the #6 biggest city in 🇮🇳 India, located in Tamil Nadu. Roughly 0.3% of India's population lives here. It is about 2.7× smaller than Mumbai, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
4,681,087
Rank in India
#6
Coordinates
13.09°N, 80.28°E
~14 m elevation · Asia/Kolkata
Distance to capital (New Delhi)
1,756 km
1,090 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Tamil Nadu
| City | Population | Rank in India |
|---|---|---|
| Coimbatore | 2,136,916 | #14 |
| Kallakurichi | 1,682,687 | #22 |
| Madurai | 1,465,625 | #25 |
| Tirunelveli | 1,435,844 | #26 |
| Tiruchirappalli | 1,022,518 | #54 |
| Tiruppur | 963,173 | #58 |
| Salem | 917,414 | #62 |
| Erode | 521,891 | #96 |
Cities near Chennai
- Nerkunram59,790 people · ~8 km away
- Tiruvottiyūr249,446 people · ~8 km away
- Madhavaram119,105 people · ~8 km away
- Maduravoyal86,195 people · ~13 km away
- Ambattur466,205 people · ~13 km away
- Mugalivakkam25,117 people · ~14 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Chennai?
Chennai has a population of 4,681,087 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #6 biggest city in India.
What region is Chennai in?
Chennai is located in Tamil Nadu, India.
Is Chennai the capital of India?
No, the capital of India is New Delhi, about 1,756 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.