Have you ever tried visualizing 20 inches but found it tricky to grasp? This measurement can be quite useful whether you’re shopping for furniture, preparing for a DIY project, or measuring out space for home decor. Such standardized measurements span an array of everyday objects, from sporting gear to kitchen staples, making it easier to visualize.
In this article, we will look at common objects — a lamp, pizza boxes, a step stool, etc. — that are twenty inches long. You will understand the concept better because these comparisons will help memorable reference to size.
So, whether you have a do it yourself project in mind, are spending a day shopping, or just want to know how to visualize what 20 inches looks like, this guide is meant to give you some examples that are easier to understand in an entertaining and useful way.
How Long Is 20 Inches?
Twenty inches is a versatile measurement found in a number of everyday situations. Just to give you some perspective, in whatever unit of measure you prefer to apply, 1.67 feet, 50.8 cm, 508 mm. That works out to about 0.555 in yards. These conversions help to visualize the size in various units of measurement, likely related to more familiar objects.
As an example, a regular pillow is about this length, providing a useful image to have of what about 20 inches is. Another fun relatable comparison comes from four soda cans stacked on top of each other, which equals the same approximate height. This length is also the same as the alignment of a two-thirds of one, on a 12-inch ruler.
Taking these examples from the real world gives you a better sense of 20 inches in at-home and at-work contexts, too, finding the right balance between small and tall measurements for your work. These references are useful for visualizing this measurement in everyday life, whether it is the size of a medium pizza box or the width of a laptop screen.
20 Inches in Everyday Objects
Twenty inches can be surprisingly relatable when you think of everyday objects. For instance, a standard dollar note measures about 6 inches long, so three stacked together would give you roughly 18.42 inches—close to that coveted twenty!
Another familiar sight is the width of a standard pillow. Most pillows are designed around this measurement, making it easy to visualize how wide your head will rest after a long day. It’s all around us!
1. U.S. Dollar Notes as a Reference
Twenty inches can be quite a visual, and using US dollar notes as the metric is an interesting technique. One bill is 6.14 inches long, so if you place three tip to tail you get 18.42 inches — close, but no cigar.
Aligning a small part of fourth a bill would go beyond this length — therefore meaning it is an easy and efficient method of measuring distances.
This is particularly useful for informal visual measurements in everyday life. Since US dollar notes are made from a blend of cotton and linen, the substance is more durable than normal paper, allowing them to be stacked neatly on a desk or laid flat side by side.
From cash handling to estimating lengths in your living room or simply as an entertaining and engaging means of demonstrating the concepts of measurements, this ubiquitous item makes for an excellent reference tool.
2. Ten Envelopes
Ten standard envelopes stacked together measure about 20 inches long. When put next to each other, this pack is exactly 20 inches long, which should give you a very clear sense of what this measurement is.
Most are used to handling mail and documentation and are a familiar sight in the lives of anyone from the office worker to the housewife.
For example, size 10 envelopes, which are often used for business correspondence, are about 9.5 inches long. Holding two envelopes end to end gives a distance of 19 inches, and indeed, one more envelope pushed into that configuration extends it just beyond 20 inches — a very simple and effective device for estimating distances.
This envelope-based measurement is useful for anyone who sits at a desk all day, a stationery-loving friend, or any tidy-freaks organizing their workspace or home.
3. Standard Step Stool
A standard step stool, measuring about 20 inches in height, is a household essential designed for practical use. This compact and sturdy tool provides just the right boost for reaching high shelves or changing light bulbs. Its carefully chosen height ensures stability and functionality, making it a reliable addition to any home.
Commonly found in kitchens or garages, step stools are a relatable example of how precise measurements enhance everyday tasks.
Picture one in your home, compact yet tall enough to help you grab items just out of reach. It’s a functional and thoughtful design, ideal for simplifying daily life.
4. Six Standard Playing Cards
For card game enthusiasts, a standard playing card measures 3.5 inches in length. When you arrange six cards end to end, they form a line measuring 21 inches, slightly exceeding the 20-inch mark.
This comparison is a fun way to visualize lengths and showcases the precise standardization in card games worldwide, from poker tables in Las Vegas to bridge matches in London.
Imagine stacking six playing cards on a table. This simple, everyday setup offers a practical visual reference for estimating 20 inches. Since playing cards are commonly found in homes, they provide a familiar and effortless way to understand this measurement while organizing your deck or enjoying a game.
5. Diameter of Two Standard Basketballs
For fans of basketball, this is an interesting comparison. A standard NBA basketball has a 9.5-inch diameter.
Lay two of these balls side by side, and their combined length comes to about 19 inches—just short of the 20-inch mark. This sporty visualization shows the exact specs that are used in professional leagues such as the N.B.A.
Imagine two basketballs lined up in a straight row. These are well-known objects that are fun and easy to picture the length of 20 inches alongside.
Whether you are shooting, or simply observing their size, this comparison is a great reference of how people encountered measurements in their daily lives.
6. Ruler
A ruler is a tremendous tool that can be used in an office, at school, or around the house to measure lengths of things and draw straight lines.
Most traditional rulers are 12 inches long but longer rulers are available such as 20-inch rulers, which are good for more extensive projects. Architects, engineers and carpenters often use them for tasks like drafting blueprints or measuring the dimensions of materials. Artists also use them make larger drawings or paintings.
You don’t need a 20-inch ruler, you can just place two 12-inch rulers end-to-end for the length. This practical reference is helpful for conceptualizing twenty inches, particularly because rulers are familiar objects in life.
Of course, rulers (beefy, dusty or otherwise) that live on your school desk or at the office offer a fast and dependable means of estimating the measurement.
7. Width of a Standard Pillow
Pillows come in multiple shapes and sizes, but a standard pillow is usually 20 inches wide by 26 inches long. So it makes an excellent daily reference for how big 20-inch actually is. Pillows are items that everyone knows and uses for comfort or simply as decoration; sleeping, lounging, etc.
Whew — feel the fresh air come in through a 20-inch-wide pillow on the bed or couch. But we still need these pillows, filled with memory foam or down feathers, for support and relaxation.
Large enough to use as colorful fabric-patterned decorations in your living room, they can also serve as floor cushions for extra seating when guests come. Pillows are a more relatable, practical example of this measurement due to their ubiquity and utility.
8. Tall Table Lamps
Tall table lamps, approximately 20 inches in height at the base, are ideal and stylish picks for small rooms. Their low-profile, functional design lets them offer plenty of brightness while not dominating the room. Image credit: Pennant & Pens, a limited edition table lamp Perfect for adding style and utility to each bedroom, living room, or office.
Picture adding a 20-inch lamp to a bedside or living room side table. The height of the lamp base is also appropriate for lighting up a room; not too high and not too bulky.
The shade gives off a soft light ideal for reading or lounging, and the average height (around 27 inches to 30 inches including the shade) adds character to your home’s decor. Form and function have come together so elegantly in tall table lamps that few products can epitomize the measurement of 20 inches in the real world.
9. Computer Monitor
As a typical computer monitor (20-inch in diagonal measurement) seen at home or an office. This size displays a workable amount of content when kept on, say, a desk or workspace without hogging too much real estate.
It’s a little larger than the standard tablet and smaller than most new TVs, making it both compact and powerful enough for everyday use.
A 20-inch monitor with a standard 16:9 aspect ratio will give you the approximate width of 17.5 inches and a height of 9.8 inches, which is wide enough to provide a clearer visual experience. This screen size works well in compact spaces without sacrificing functionality if you’re writing documents, browsing, or watching videos.
Both older models and new designs alike feature this setup for a perfect middle ground, allowing those who want to save desk space without sacrificing comfort and clarity.
10. Six Debit Cards
If you ever need to measure something in your home but don’t have a dedicated measuring tool, a typical computer monitor often measures around 20 inches diagonally.
Everything is constellated at the approximate height of a debit card, about 3.375 inches, into a long column of six (measuring about 20.25 inches) that reaches up into the tropics. A measure, this is just over 20 inches, but it is a quick and dirty way to get an idea when a standard ruler isn’t available.
Imagine your wallet overflowing with plastic rectangles. Line up six of them end to end, and you have a 20-inch strip.
This simple, accessible technique helps estimate sizing for everyday home projects and is thus a simple and practical comparison to envision twenty inches. It is an easy and relatable way to understand this measurement, whether you’re organizing or measuring furniture.
11. Three Pencils
Education and arts and crafts pencils are common, cheap devices that help us learn and create. If you ever need a physical way to visualize degrees of dimension, three standard pencils lined end to end give you a pretty close idea of 20 inches.
A standard pencil is about 7 inches long, so when you line up three pencils, it’d measure approximately 21 inches, a tiny bit over 20 inches.
This technique is valuable and relatable for students, artists, or anyone needing a quick, tactile way to visualize measurements.
Just because you can quickly line three pencils up on your desk in a row doesn’t mean it aids your understanding of how long 20 inches is; this simple reference you can shove in a pocket makes it more tangible. It’s a fast and surprising way to estimate measurements based on everyday tools that are frequently ignored.
12. Four Standard Soda Cans
Stacking four standard soda cans provides a fun and simple way to measure 20 inches. A typical soda can stands about 4.83 inches tall, so when lined up, the total height reaches 19.32 inches—just a tad short of twenty but still a handy reference for everyday measurements.
This simple exercise connects measurements to everyday objects around the house, on a kitchen counter, or at a table. Soda cans are made of strong, airtight metal, perfect for storing beverages such as soda and beer.
They help keep drinks fresh and carbonated. The candy’s easy-to-handle, standard size also makes it helpful in teaching kids fundamental measurement principles, transforming abstract numbers into something concrete and comprehensible.
13. Two Burpless Cucumbers
Knowing measurements using everyday objects in the kitchen can be surprisingly intuitive. Take burpless cucumbers, a common variety with a smooth texture and mild flavor.
These crunchy vegetables are easy to digest and conceptually are also a very natural and relatable way to visualize 20 inches. Burpless cucumber varieties are typically bred to grow up to 10 inches long, and when two are lined end to end, they form a perfect 20-inch green measuring stick.
This is a new way to think about dimensions based on vegetables! Whether you’re planning on making a crisp salad, grocery shopping, or hosting a salad-themed dinner party, let the idea of using cucumbers as a weird frame of reference spice up your grocery run. Just picture these colorful veggies lining up on your fridge—both a healthy guide and a talking point!
Conclusion
Now that you’ve explored 13 everyday items that measure twenty inches, you’re well-equipped to visualize this length in various situations. Whether it’s a step stool, a stack of playing cards, or a pair of burpless cucumbers, these familiar objects offer a fun and practical way to gauge measurements.
From home projects to shopping for the perfect table lamp, understanding the size of 20 inches has never been easier or more relatable. The next time you need to measure something or estimate a space, just recall these handy comparisons. With a little creativity and a few common objects, you can accurately assess lengths in your daily life, making your measuring tasks a breeze!
Frequently Asked Questions
What objects are 20 inches long?
Common items that measure 20 inches include a standard step stool, a 20-inch tall table lamp, two burpless cucumbers lined up end to end, and a stack of six standard playing cards.
How can I visualize 20 inches without a ruler?
You can easily visualize 20 inches by using everyday objects such as a standard pillow (20-inch wide), a stack of 10 envelopes, or even two basketballs placed side by side.
How long is 20 inches compared to other common objects?
20 inches is roughly the length of three standard pencils laid end to end, or a stack of four standard soda cans placed on top of each other.
What household items measure around 20 inches in length?
Everyday items that are close to 20 inches long include a tall step stool, a 20-inch lamp, and even a line of six standard playing cards. These items can help you easily estimate this measurement.
