11 Common Things That Are About 20 Inches Long

Are you curious about the length of 20 inches? You’ve come to the right place!

Understanding this measurement can be incredibly useful in various situations. Whether you’re tackling math problems, visualizing concepts, or working on assignments.

Knowing what 20 inches looks like can be a valuable tool.

For DIY enthusiasts, this knowledge is particularly handy. When you’re cutting materials like wood, fabric, or pipes, having a clear idea of 20 inches ensures accuracy in your projects. It can make the difference between a perfect fit and a frustrating mismatch.

Even if you’re simply interested in measurements and dimensions, adding this to your knowledge base can be fascinating.

It’s one of those facts that can come in handy when you least expect it.

To help you grasp this length, we’ve compiled a list of 11 everyday items that measure 20 inches.

How Big is 20 Inches?

Twenty inches is almost two feet long. It’s the length of many everyday objects, like a standard pillow or two basketballs placed side by side.

Visualizing 20 inches helps with decisions when buying, measuring, or working on projects. Knowing the approximate size of 20 inches can be useful for comparison when shopping, decorating, or handling tools and materials.

It’s a mid-sized measurement that fits within a wide range of everyday objects, from personal items like a laptop to office supplies and kitchen tools.

How Long is 20 Inches on a Ruler?

A standard ruler is usually 12 inches long, so 20 inches would be almost two full rulers laid end to end.

To visualize it, place two rulers next to each other, and you’ll see that 20 inches stretches beyond a single ruler, making it easy to compare with common measurements you see daily.

Common Things That Are About 20 Inches Long

Item	Measurement
💳 Six Debit Cards	20 inches
📎 14-15 Paper Clips	20 inches
🏀 Diameter of Two Standard Basketballs	20 inches
🥒 Two Burpless Cucumbers	20 inches
🥤 Four Standard Beverage Cans	20 inches
✉️ 10 Envelopes	20 inches
🃏 Six Standard Playing Cards	20 inches
👶 Length of a Typical Newborn Baby	20 inches
🛏️ Width of a Standard Pillow	20 inches
💻 Length of a Small Laptop	20 inches
🪜 Height of a Standard Step Stool	20 inches

1. Six Debit Cards

Picture your wallet stuffed with debit cards. If you line up six plastic rectangles end to end, you’d create a strip measuring roughly 20 inches.

Standard debit cards are about 3.37 inches long. Multiply that by six, and you get 20.22 inches – close to our target measurement.

This comparison offers a unique way to visualize 20 inches using something most of us carry daily.

2. A Line of 14-15 Paper Clips

Office supplies can make for interesting measuring tools. Take the humble paper clip, for instance.

A standard paper clip is about 1.375 inches long. String together 14 or 15 of these little metal fasteners, and you’ve got a chain approximately 20 inches long.

This makeshift measuring tape of paper clips showcases how small, everyday items can add up to create a significant length.

It’s a fun fact to share during your next coffee break at the office. Who knew those tiny desk accessories could be so useful for estimating measurements?

3. Diameter of Two Standard Basketballs

Basketball enthusiasts might find this comparison particularly interesting. A regulation NBA basketball has a diameter of about 9.5 inches.

Place two of these balls side by side, and you’re looking at a length of 19 inches – just shy of our 20-inch mark.

This comparison gives us a sporty way to visualize 20 inches and highlights how precise sports equipment measurements can be.

The next time you watch a basketball game, remember that the diameter of two bouncing balls is about 20 inches. It adds a new dimension to appreciating the sport and the equipment used.

4. Two Burpless Cucumbers

Let’s step away from the office and sports arena and into the kitchen. Burpless cucumbers, a popular variety that is easier to digest, typically grow to about 10 inches long.

Line up two of these crisp veggies end to end, and you have a 20-inch green measuring stick.

This vegetable-based measurement tool offers a fresh perspective on 20 inches. It’s a quirky way to think about produce sizes and could even make grocery shopping more interesting. It’s a great conversation starter at your next salad-centric dinner party.

5. Four Standard Beverage Cans

Pop open your fridge and grab a few soda or beer cans. Standard beverage cans are typically about 4.83 inches tall.

Arrange four of these cans in a row, and you’ll create a line measuring 19.32 inches – just a tad short of 20 inches.

This comparison provides a relatable way to visualize 20 inches using something many of us encounter daily.

It also reminds us how standardized many everyday items are. You will likely find the same-sized can if you’re reaching for a soda in New York or New Delhi.

6. 10 Envelopes

Office workers and stationery enthusiasts will appreciate this comparison. A standard No. 10 envelope, commonly used for business correspondence, measures 9.5 inches long.

Place two of these envelopes end to end, and you have a 19-inch line – just an inch shy of our target.

This envelope-based measurement illustrates how office supplies often come in standardized sizes.

It’s also a handy trick for estimating lengths in an office environment.

READ : 11 Common Things That are 7 Inches Long (+Pics)

7. Six Standard Playing Cards

Card game enthusiasts, this one’s for you. A standard playing card measures about 3.5 inches in length. Arrange six cards in a line, and you’ll create a 21-inch stretch slightly over our 20-inch mark.

This comparison provides a fun way to visualize 20 inches and highlights the precise standardization in card games.

Whether you’re playing poker in Las Vegas or bridge in London, your cards will be the same size.

This is a testament to the global nature of card games and the importance of consistency in gaming equipment.

8. The Length of a Typical Newborn Baby

Moving from inanimate objects to the miracle of life, let’s consider the average length of a newborn baby.

Most full-term babies measure between 18 and 22 inches at birth, with 20 inches being a common length.

This comparison adds a touching human element to our list. It’s remarkable that a new life, full of potential, often starts at this particular length.

It also provides a poignant reminder of how much growth occurs in those early years – that 20-inch newborn will double in length before their first birthday.

SEE ALSO : How Long is 2 Inches?

9. Width of a Standard Pillow

Let’s head to the bedroom for our next comparison. A standard pillow typically measures 20 inches wide by 26 inches long, which provides a perfect reference for our 20-inch measurement.

This comparison offers a practical, everyday reference point for 20 inches. Most of us interact with pillows daily, making it an easily relatable measurement.

10. Length of a Small Laptop

Electronic devices provide another familiar reference point in our digital age. Many small laptops, called netbooks or ultraportables, measure around 20 inches diagonally from corner to corner.

This tech-based comparison showcases how the 20-inch measurement has found its way into our modern, digital lives.

It’s interesting to note that while screen sizes are typically measured diagonally, the overall dimensions of these devices often align with our 20-inch focus.

11. Height of a Standard Step Stool

For our final comparison, let’s consider a common household item: the step stool. Many standard step stools measure about 20 inches in height, providing a boost that’s just right for reaching high shelves or changing light bulbs.

This comparison brings us full circle back to practical, everyday items. The 20-inch height of a step stool is carefully chosen to provide a useful boost without being too tall for stability.

It’s a reminder of how precise measurements are crucial in designing items we use without much thought.

READ : 13 Common Things That Are 1 Inch Long