11 Everyday Objects That Are 11 Inches Long (with Pictures)

Ever wondered how long 11 inches really is? Sure, you could grab a ruler, but where’s the fun in that? Let’s explore a more creative way to visualize this length using everyday items.

Imagine lining up some quarters or stacking a few playing cards. These simple objects can help you picture 11 inches without needing a measuring tool. It’s like having a handy ruler right in your pocket!

This method isn’t just fun – it’s practical too. While it might not be precise enough for rocket science, it’s perfect for everyday tasks.

Planning a small DIY project? Estimating the size of a package? These visual cues can be a big help.

The best part? Once you know these common 11-inch items, you’ll always have a mental measuring stick. It’s a simple trick that can make understanding lengths much easier.

In this article, we’ll introduce you to 11 everyday things that measure up to 11 inches. To make it even easier to remember, we’ve included a picture for each item.

So, let’s dive in and discover the surprising world of 11-inch objects all around us!

10 Common Things That are 11 Inches Long

📦 Item	📏 Measurement
✏️ One and a Half Standard Pencils	11.25 inches (lined up)
🪙 Eleven US Quarters	11.505 inches (end-to-end)
📄 US Letter-size Paper	11 inches (length)
💳 Five and a Half Business Cards	11 inches (lined up)
🃏 Three Standard Playing Cards	10.5 inches (end-to-end)
🥪 Subway Footlong Sandwich	11 inches (actual length)
📏 Standard Ruler	11 inches (bound ruler)
⌨️ Width of a Standard Keyboard	11 inches (width)
📒 Sheet of Legal Pad Paper	11 inches (length)
🍷 Height of a Standard Wine Bottle	11 inches (height)
👶 Length of a Newborn Baby	11 inches (average small newborn)

1. One and a Half Standard Pencils

Did you know that lining up one and a half standard pencils gives you exactly 11 inches? Most pencils measure about 7.5 inches long when new.

So, if you place one full pencil next to half of another, you’ll hit that 11-inch mark.

Pencils have been around for centuries. The modern pencil as we know it today was invented in 1795 by Nicholas Jacques Conté.

He created a mixture of graphite and clay that could be fired in a kiln, resulting in the pencil lead we use today.

Interestingly, the average pencil can draw a line 35 miles long or write about 45,000 words!

That’s a lot of doodling or note-taking packed into such a small object. Next time you pick up a pencil, remember that you’re holding a piece of history and potential in your hand.

2. Eleven US Quarters

If you line up 11 US quarters end to end, they’ll stretch exactly 11 inches.

Each quarter has a diameter of 0.955 inches, which means 11 of them will measure up to 10.505 inches. Add the tiny gaps between the coins, and you’ve got your 11 inches.

Quarters have been a part of American currency since 1796. The design has changed many times over the years, but the size has remained largely consistent.

The current quarter features George Washington on the front, a design that’s been in use since 1932.

if you stack 11 quarters, they’ll be about 0.75 inches tall. That’s because each quarter is 0.069 inches thick.

So not only can you measure length with quarters, but you can also use them to measure height!

3. US Letter-size Paper

The standard US letter-size paper measures 8.5 by 11 inches. This familiar rectangle is used in printers, notebooks, and office supplies across the United States.

But have you ever wondered why these specific dimensions were chosen?
The history of letter-size paper dates back to the 1920s. Before then, paper sizes varied widely.

The 8.5 by 11 inch size became popular because it was easy to use with typewriters and fit well in filing cabinets.

In 1980, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) officially adopted this size as the standard for business and government documents.

Today, it’s so common that we rarely think about its dimensions. But now you know – every time you print a document or write in a notebook, you’re using an 11-inch-long piece of paper!

4. Five and a Half Business Cards

Standard business cards in the US measure 3.5 by 2 inches. If you line up five and a half of these cards along their long edge, you’ll have exactly 11 inches.

Business cards have been around for centuries. In China, “visiting cards” were used as early as the 15th century to announce one’s intention to meet with another person.

In Europe, “trade cards” became popular in the 17th century, serving as advertisements and maps for merchants.

Today, despite the rise of digital communication, business cards remain an important networking tool.

They’re small, portable, and provide a tangible reminder of a personal connection. Plus, they’re a handy way to measure 11 inches in a pinch!

5. Three Standard-Playing Cards

Three standard playing cards placed end to end will measure 11 inches. Each card is typically 3.5 inches long and 2.5 inches wide.

This uniform size allows for easy shuffling and dealing during card games.
Playing cards have a rich history dating back over a thousand years.

They originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and slowly spread to other parts of the world.

The 52-card deck we’re familiar with today evolved in France around 1480.
Card games have been a popular form of entertainment for centuries.

From high-stakes poker to family game nights, these 11-inch trios of cards have brought people together and provided countless hours of fun and strategy.

6. Subway Footlong Sandwich

Subway’s famous “footlong” sandwiches are actually 11 inches long. This revelation caused quite a stir when it came to light in 2013.

Customers felt shortchanged by the missing inch, leading to a class-action lawsuit against the company.

Subway explained that “footlong” was a trademark and not a measurement. They argued that the name described the sandwich rather than its exact length.

Eventually, the company settled the lawsuit and agreed to ensure their bread consistently measures either 6 inches or 12 inches.

This controversy highlights how important precise measurements can be, especially when it comes to food.

The next time you order a footlong, you’ll know it’s really an 11-inch long sandwich – and that’s okay!

7. Standard Ruler

Most standard rulers are exactly 11 inches long. You might be thinking, “Wait, aren’t rulers 12 inches long?” While many rulers do measure a full foot, there’s a good reason why some stop at 11 inches.

These 11-inch rulers are designed for binding in notebooks and textbooks. The extra inch of space allows for the binding material without compromising the ruler’s functionality.

This clever design ensures students always have a measuring tool at hand without it sticking out of their books.

Rulers have been used for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations in Egypt and the Indus Valley used measuring rods as early as 2400 BC.

Today, whether it’s 11 or 12 inches long, the humble ruler remains an essential tool in classrooms, offices, and workshops worldwide.

8. Width of a Standard Keyboard

Most standard computer keyboards are about 11 inches wide. This width has become the norm because it comfortably accommodates the QWERTY layout while allowing for a compact design that fits on most desks.

The QWERTY keyboard layout, named after the first six letters on the top left letter row, was invented in the 1870s for typewriters.

Its design was meant to prevent jamming by placing commonly used letter pairs far apart. Even though modern keyboards don’t have this issue, we’ve stuck with the layout due to familiarity.

Next time you sit down at your computer, take a moment to appreciate your keyboard. It’s not just a tool for typing – it’s an 11-inch wide piece of technological history right at your fingertips!

READ : 11 Common Things That are 10 Inches Big (+Pics)

9. Sheet of Legal Pad Paper

Legal pads are known for their distinctive yellow color and ruled lines. But did you know that a standard sheet of legal pad paper is 11 inches long?

The width is typically 8.5 inches, making it slightly narrower than letter-size paper.The legal pad was invented in the 1880s by Thomas Holley.

He came up with the idea to collect paper scraps from factories, stitch them together, and sell them as cheap notepads.

The yellow color, which became standard later, was chosen because it contrasted well with black ink.

Today, legal pads are used far beyond the legal profession. Writers, students, and professionals in various fields appreciate their length and the space it provides for notes and ideas.

10. Height of a Standard Wine Bottle

Most standard wine bottles stand at 11 inches tall. This height has become the industry standard because it’s convenient for storage, shipping, and serving.

The uniform size allows wineries to use standard corking machines and makes it easier for restaurants and stores to stack and display bottles.

Wine bottles have come a long way since ancient times when wine was stored in clay amphorae. Glass bottles became popular for wine storage in the 17th century, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that bottles began to be made in standard sizes.

The next time you uncork a bottle of wine, take a moment to appreciate its perfect 11-inch height.

It’s a testament to centuries of winemaking tradition and modern industrial standardization working together to deliver your favorite vintage.

READ : 11 Common Things That are 14 Inches Long

11. Length of a Newborn Baby

On average, newborn babies measure around 19-20 inches long at birth. However, it’s not uncommon for some babies to be born at exactly 11 inches in length.

This measurement, taken from the top of the head to the heel, is one of the first things recorded after a baby is born. babies are unique among primates for being born relatively helpless and needing extensive care.

This is partly because human brains are so large – if babies stayed in the womb until they were more developed, their heads would be too big for safe delivery.

Despite starting at just 11 inches, babies grow rapidly in their first year. By their first birthday, most babies will have grown to about 30 inches – nearly tripling their birth length!

It’s amazing to think that we all started our journey at roughly the length of a standard ruler.