how wide is the grand canyon

The Grand Canyon is about 277 miles long and up to roughly 18 miles wide at its widest point, with an average rim‑to‑rim width of about 10 miles. In some narrow sections, it can be less than 1 mile wide.

Basic width facts

• The maximum width of the Grand Canyon is about 18 miles (29 kilometers) from rim to rim.

• The average width is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) across.

• The narrowest stretches —often cited at Marble Canyon—can be around 600 feet to 600 yards across, depending on whether rim‑to‑rim or river‑channel width is being described.

Why “how wide” varies

• The canyon’s sides are irregular, so width changes constantly along its 277‑mile length.

• Travel and tour sites usually quote the 18‑mile figure because that’s the most impressive rim‑to‑rim span visitors can see near popular viewpoints on the South and North Rims.

Quick reference table

Measure	Approximate value
Maximum width	About 18 miles (29 km)
Average width	About 10 miles (16 km)
Narrowest noted section	Roughly 600 feet–600 yards
Total canyon length	About 277 miles (446 km)

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In short, when people ask “how wide is the Grand Canyon,” they usually mean that dramatic top number: about 18 miles across at its widest point.