Lake Van is 119 km across at its widest point. It averages 171 m deep. Its greatest known depth is 451 m. The surface lies 1640 m above sea level and the shore length is 430 km. It covers 3755 km2 and contains (has a volume of) 607 km3.

The western portion of the lake is deepest, with a large basin deeper than 400 m lying northeast of Tatvan and south of Ahlat. The eastern arms of the lake are shallower. The Van-Ahtamar portion shelves gradually, with a maximum depth of about