Reading Population 2026
Reading has a population of 318,014, making it the #18 biggest city in 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, located in England. Roughly 0.5% of United Kingdom's population lives here. It is about 28× smaller than London, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
318,014
Rank in United Kingdom
#18
Coordinates
51.46°N, 0.97°W
~51 m elevation · Europe/London
Distance to capital (London)
59 km
37 miles, straight line
Other big cities in England
| City | Population | Rank in United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| London | 8,961,989 | #1 |
| Birmingham | 1,157,603 | #2 |
| Manchester | 568,996 | #4 |
| Sheffield | 556,500 | #5 |
| Leeds | 536,280 | #6 |
| Liverpool | 496,770 | #8 |
| Bristol | 479,024 | #9 |
| Leicester | 368,600 | #11 |
Cities near Reading
- Lower Earley32,000 people · ~5 km away
- Wokingham41,143 people · ~11 km away
- Crowthorne25,522 people · ~16 km away
- Bracknell76,103 people · ~16 km away
- Sandhurst20,803 people · ~18 km away
- Maidenhead70,374 people · ~19 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Reading?
Reading has a population of 318,014 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #18 biggest city in United Kingdom.
What region is Reading in?
Reading is located in England, United Kingdom.
Is Reading the capital of United Kingdom?
No, the capital of United Kingdom is London, about 59 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.
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