The Scandinavian countries are Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. In a broader sense, people sometimes use “Scandinavia” loosely to include nearby Nordic countries like Finland and Iceland, but the standard definition is just those three.

Quick Scoop

  • Denmark
  • Norway
  • Sweden

Common confusion

  • Finland is usually counted as a Nordic country, not Scandinavian.
  • Iceland is also Nordic, but not usually Scandinavian.
  • The term Nordic countries is wider than Scandinavia and includes Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

In everyday use, if someone says “the Scandinavian countries,” they almost always mean Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.