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Chennai, India

Major city · Population 4.7M

Chennai is the 6th largest city in India with a population of approximately 4,681,087 people as of 2026. This makes it the 64th largest city in the world, accounting for 0.33% of India's total population of 1.42B. Chennai is classified as a major city and operates in the Asia/Kolkata timezone.

Population

4,681,087

Global Rank

#64

Country Rank

#6

% of India

0.33%

Chennai on the Map

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India at a Glance

Country Population

1,417,492,000

Capital

New Delhi

Region

Southern Asia

Major Cities

532

GDP per Capita

$2,695

Life Expectancy

72.0 years

Urban Population

35.4%

Growth Rate

0.01%

Nearest Major Cities

Closest cities to Chennai with over 100,000 people

Cities closest to Chennai by distance
CityPopulationDistance
Tiruvottiyūr249,4468 km
Madhavaram119,1058 km
Alandur164,43012 km
Ambattur466,20513 km
Avadi345,99619 km
Pallāvaram233,98419 km
Tambaram174,78724 km
Kanchipuram221,71569 km

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Chennai?

The population of Chennai, India is approximately 4,681,087 people, making it the 64th largest city in the world and the 6th largest in India.

Is Chennai the capital of India?

No, the capital of India is New Delhi. Chennai is the 6th largest city in the country.

What timezone is Chennai in?

Chennai is in the Asia/Kolkata timezone.