Mississippi is ranked 32nd in size among the 50 states in the US covering a total area of 47,689 sq mi (123,514 sq km), of which land occupies 47,233 sq mi (122,333 sq km) and inland water 456 sq mi (1,181 sq km).

Mississippi is surrounded by Tennessee on the North; by Alabama to the East; by the Gulf of Mexico and Louisiana to the South; by Louisiana (with the line partially formed by the Pearl and Mississippi rivers) and Arkansas to the West. Several small islands lie off the coast.

Mississippi is located in the eastern south-central US. The state's geographic center is in Leake County, 9 mi (14 km) WNW of Carthage and Jackson is the capital of Mississippi.