Something that measures 20 inches is equal to 1-3/4 feet and 0.56 yards. Using the metric system, 20 inches is the same as 50.8 centimeters.
Measuring 20 inches using nothing but your eye might not be too difficult, as long as you have a good set of references you can follow. Doing so can help you work in making picture frames or measuring the height of furniture.
In this guide, I’m going to show you ten things that measure close to or exactly 20 inches long.
4 iPhone 13 Pro
If you have an iPhone 13 Pro in your pocket, measuring 20 inches might not be much of a challenge. An iPhone 13 Pro measures 5.78 inches tall, so if you lay four of them flat, it’ll take you to just around 23 inches in length, and all you have to do is visually subtract the extra three inches.
For those who sprung for an iPhone 13 Pro Max, you should know that it measures 6.33 inches tall. Laying three of them together will get you to just shy of 19 inches.
2 Forearms
The forearm, or the part of your arm that starts at the elbow and ends at the wrist, is usually between 7.9 to 12 inches for adult men and 7.4 to 12.2 inches for adult women.
It would probably be a good idea to measure your forearm beforehand, but if you don’t have a ruler around, you can take the average lengths (around 10 inches) as your reference. So, to get to 20 inches in length, imagine placing two forearms against the object you’re measuring.
Of course, your forearm may differ from the lengths mentioned above. It can depend on various factors, including your height and how lanky your limbs are.
8 Soda Cans
The dimensions of a regular 12-fluid-ounce soda can are 4.83 inches tall and 2.6 inches in diameter at its widest point. Measuring 20 inches in width would take just about eight soda cans.
If all you have at your disposal are the tall and slim 12-fluid-ounce soda can version, you should know that these cans measure 6.125 inches in height and 2.25 inches wide. So, it would take you one additional can to get close to the 20-inch mark.
18 Quarters
According to the United States Mint, a quarter-dollar coin’s diameter is precisely 1.205 inches. If you can fish 18 quarters out of your pocket or wallet, laying them side by side will you to 21.69 inches. Imagine erasing the one inch in your mind and you’ll get to about 20 inches in length.
If all you have are pennies, each of which measures 0.75 inches across, it will take just under 27 of them to get to 20 inches.
9 Nail Clippers
Nail clippers can be broken up into different components. The base, which is the longest part of the nail clipper that houses one or two attachments, typically measures 2.25 inches in length.
Using nail clippers as your reference is similar to using slim soda cans. Since they’re both 2.25 inches long, you would need nine of them to measure 20 inches. Just remember to fold the attachments into the base before using it as a measurement reference.
2 Basketballs
Basketballs come in a variety of sizes based on the age group or gender of people who play. But if you have a size 7 basketball that’s fully pumped and weighs 22 ounces per NBA regulations, it should measure 9.5 inches in diameter.
So, it would only take you slightly over two size 7 basketballs to get to the 20-inch point. You’ll have a missing inch on either side before getting the full 20 inches, but that shouldn’t be too difficult to imagine in your mind.
5-1/2 Crayons
If you have school-aged children, then you can probably find at least one crayon lying on their bedroom floor. A brand-new crayon will measure just about 3.6 inches from tip to tip.
So, imagine that you have 5-1/2 of your kid’s crayons in your pocket. Laying them flat lengthwise will get you to almost exactly 20 inches long. Of course, the crayons have to be brand-new and not used to draw a single streak.
2 Steak Knives
Steak knives come in a variety of shapes and lengths. Some of the more common steak knife lengths are between seven and nine inches.
Using a pair of longer steak knives, you would need two of them plus two inches to measure 20 inches. If all you have is a set of seven-inch steak knives, try imagining placing three of them lengthwise and subtracting one inch from the end.
2 Size 9 Shoes
Not all shoemakers follow the same length and sizing standards. That is why one brand’s size 9 shoes may differ from another brand’s size 9 shoes. However, in the United States, size 9 shoes typically measure 9.5 to 10.5 inches long.
So, taking the average size of a size 9 shoe, you would need about two of them to get to 20 inches in length. Depending on the actual physical size, you may need to add or subtract from the final measurement to get to precisely 20 inches.
3 Surgical Masks
Here’s something that many of you might have on hand right now: surgical masks. They typically measure seven inches from left to right.
Measuring 20 inches using disposable surgical masks would take three of them, minus one inch from either end. However, the actual dimensions will depend on the type of surgical mask you wear. Some masks can measure eight inches in length.
Conclusion
Using the ten everyday objects above, measuring 20 inches in length shouldn’t prove to be too difficult. Knowing how to measure 20 inches by eye will come in handy when planning out the layout of living room furniture.
If you know anyone who struggles in measuring 20 inches without a tape measure, make sure you fill them in by sending them this article. I’d also love to hear what other objects you can think of that measure around 20 inches in the comments section.
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