How Big is 20 Inches?
You might ask, “How big is 20 inches exactly?” It’s one of those measurements that’s easier to understand when paired with everyday objects you see and handle regularly. Twenty inches is just over 1.5 feet — enough length to give you a clear sense of scale without being overwhelmingly large. Having a good grasp of this size is handy for a lot of daily life situations — from DIY projects to figuring out if you have enough space on a shelf. When you don’t have a tape measure or ruler handy, thinking of common items that measure about 20 inches can be a lifesaver for quick, rough estimates or more precise measurements. Let’s look at some everyday objects that come in at around 20 inches long.
12 Everyday Things That Come In at About 20 Inches Long
1. Six Debit Cards
A standard credit card or debit card is about 3.375 inches wide. Put six of them side-by-side, and you get close to 20 inches (around 20.25 inches, to be exact). This makes debit cards an excellent visual guide for this length — especially since most of us carry them daily. Using credit cards as a mental ruler helps when you need quick, accurate measurements without a standard ruler. Plus, they’re compact and familiar personal items that you can rely on as visual references.
2. A Line of 14-15 Paper Clips
Standard paper clips measure roughly 1.25 to 1.375 inches long. Lining up 14 to 15 of these everyday items end to end will give you an approximate 20-inch length. This makes them perfect for quick measurements, especially if you’re in an office or school setting. Paper clips are small, common objects that provide a surprisingly precise measurement tool when you don’t have more traditional equipment nearby.
3. Diameter of Two Standard Basketballs
A regulation NBA basketball has a diameter of about 9.43 inches. Place two of these basketballs side-by-side, and you reach roughly 18.86 inches—just under 20 inches. If you consider a slight gap or the way they might be positioned, it’s a useful everyday reference point close to 20 inches in diameter. This example is handy for rough spatial measurements in sports or recreation areas and offers a familiar, tangible size comparison.
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4. Two Burpless Cucumbers
Burpless cucumbers typically measure about 9 to 11 inches in length. Two of these stacked end to end fall right around 20 inches, depending on their exact size. These everyday kitchen items make great visual references for approximate measurement, especially when prepping food or organizing your fridge. Using vegetables as a size guide shows how metric and standard measurements play out in daily life, giving you a natural, familiar sense of size.
5. Four Standard Beverage Cans
A typical beverage can, such as a soda or beer can, stands about 4.83 inches tall. Stack four of these cans, and you get close to 19.3 inches — just shy of 20 inches but still a useful rough estimate. This comparison is great for visual guides when organizing your fridge or party supplies, helping ensure there’s enough space for your favorite drinks without guesswork.
6. 10 Envelopes
A standard business envelope measures roughly 9.5 inches in length. Lining up two envelopes lengthwise equals about 19 inches. If you place envelopes carefully side-by-side or slightly overlapped, ten can span roughly 20 inches. Envelopes are a perfect example of common items that double as mental references for quick, approximate measurements in postal systems and office setups.
7. Kitchen Cutting Board
Many kitchen cutting boards come in sizes around 20 inches long, offering sufficient space for food preparation without taking up excessive countertop area. This standardized size strikes a balance between ample workspace and manageable storage. When selecting kitchen tools, understanding this common measurement helps ensure your workspace feels neither cramped nor cluttered.
8. Tennis Racket
A typical adult tennis racket measures about 27 inches long, but the hitting surface or blade length generally spans around 19 to 20 inches. This standardized size is a familiar everyday object for many sports enthusiasts, providing a useful size comparison. Sports equipment like this highlights how precise measurements can connect with human movement and design for both comfort and performance.
9. Computer Monitors
Smaller or portable computer monitors often range around 20 inches measured diagonally. While diagonal measurement differs from length, many monitors with a 20-inch screen also have widths and heights roughly in that range, making them practical everyday references. This is helpful when setting up workspaces that balance screen size with desk space, giving you a mental estimate of compact size.
10. Hand Span
The average adult hand span (distance from thumb tip to pinky tip stretched wide) varies but often measures about 7 to 9 inches. So, roughly two hand spans plus a little extra will approximate 20 inches. This body measurement provides a quick, personal way to estimate lengths without tools. Using body measurements as visual guides is an age-old, intuitive method that still holds strong in many everyday situations.
Worth reading : 8 Familiar Items Weighing Around 100 Kilograms (kg).
11. Standard Pillow
A common bed pillow is approximately 20 inches wide, though lengths vary by style. This standardized size provides a familiar reference, especially when shopping for pillowcases or arranging bedding. Standard pillows show how everyday items often conform to common measurements to balance comfort and practicality.
12. Portable Laptop Stand
Portable laptop stands designed for compactness often measure close to 20 inches long to support laptops up to 17 inches while maintaining a manageable size. This balance ensures both functionality and portability. For those creating efficient, clutter-free workspaces, knowing the approximate size of such essential tools helps in selecting the right gear.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, these common objects and everyday items serve as excellent visual guides to understand the approximate size of 20 inches. Whether you’re stacking paper clips, lining up debit cards, or just stretching your hand, these familiar references give you a practical way to estimate length without needing a tape measure or standard ruler. So, next time you need a quick, accurate measurement or just want a better mental reference, keep these everyday items in mind — they’re more useful than you might think.
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