A local area network (LAN) connects computers in a small area like a home or office to share information and internet connections. A metropolitan area network (MAN) spans an entire city or campus by connecting multiple LANs together and is larger than a LAN but smaller than a wide area network (WAN). A wide area network (WAN) connects computer networks over long distances, often over the internet, and is used to connect LANs and other networks so that users in different locations can communicate.