ABSTRACT This study presents a multidimensional urban sprawl assessment in 15 Indonesian island cities using 17 indicators across densities, composition, and configuration dimensions. The analysis utilizes data from the Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL). Larger-sized islands serving as provincial capitals or regional activity centers, governed by multidistrict jurisdictions, tend to be more sprawl. Island-level planning and governance are crucial for managing sprawl effectively. The study highlights the coexistence of multiple sprawl typologies within single-island cities and emphasizes the limitations of simplistic binary/linear sprawl assessments. The findings offer insights applicable beyond island contexts, bridging regional and urban units in multilevel settings.