Introduction
How long is five inches? Curious? Well, it’s easier to imagine than you think! We’ve gathered a list of everyday items that are 5 inches long, so you can see just how this small but noticeable length fits into daily life.
Quick Summary
- This guide covers 15 everyday items that are 5 inches long to make size estimation simple and practical, all without the need of a ruler.
- 5 inches equals 12.7 centimeters or 127 millimeters or 0.4167 feet or 0.1389 yards.
- Tech and stationery items like iPhone 13 mini, Bic pen, poker cards, and paper clips are all around 5 inches long.
- Everyday objects like teaspoons, pocket combs, nail files, and soda cans also help visualize this length.
How Big Is 5.0 Inches?
5 in = 12.7 cm = 127 mm = 0.127 m = 0.417 ft = 0.139 yd
Five inches equals 12.7 centimeters, making inches to cm conversion simple and straightforward. Wondering what is 5 inches in millimeters? Using the inch to mm calculator, 5 inches comes out to exactly 127 mm. Additionally, 5 inches is equal to approximately 0.4167 feet. And when converted to yards, 5 inches is about 0.1389 yards.
Now, measuring this length with a measuring tape or ruler is quite easy. Curious how long is 5 inches on a ruler? The big numbers, like the 1 or 5, mark each inch. So when you see the 5, you’ve reached the 5-inch mark. Easy, right?
But it's a whole different situation if you don't have a ruler. This is a situation many of us face more often than we’d like. That's why we have come up with this article comparing various everyday items to 5 inches, so you know how long is 5 inches. It will make estimating the size easier.
15 Things That Are 5 Inches Long
Here are 15 common things that are 5.0 inches long. All of these are things you use and see every day:
- iPhone 7
- 2 Adult thumbs
- 7 Pennies
- A Bic pen
- 5 Garden snails
- A Soda can
- 5 Paper clips
- 2 Golf tees
- A Teaspoon
- 5 Tea light candles
- A US Dollar Bill
- A Pocket Comb
- A Nail File
- 2 Poker Cards
- 3 Ping Pong Balls
1. iPhone 7
Photo by Tuur Tisseghem from Pexels
The iPhone 7 launched back in 2016, and like every iPhone, it caused a huge buzz. People just go crazy over new iPhone releases! This model came with a 12 MP dual camera, but honestly, that’s not what we’re here for.
What really matters to us is its size. The iPhone 7 is 5.44 inches long, so you can basically call it five inches. If you’ve got one at home, go ahead and measure it yourself. But that’s old news now! Take the newer iPhone 13 mini, for example! It’s about 5.18 inches in length. So if you’re curious, that’s your reference for the 5inch mark.
2. Two Adult Thumbs
Photo by Ana M. from Pexels
In this part, we will show you 5 inches compared to a hand. Did you know the average thumb length is 2.74 inches in men and 2.49 inches in women? That means two thumbs together will equal 5 inches(approximately.
Here’s another fun fact: the average hand size of a 6-year-old child ranges from 4.6–5.7 inches for boys and 4.4–5.7 inches for girls. This makes it easy to visualize how long is 5 inches in comparison.
3. Seven Pennies
Photo by Jeff Weese from Pexels
When measuring the inches, the pennies play an important part. Since a penny is something we've all seen in our lives, comparing it with other things makes estimating easier. For example, you can quickly visualize how long is five inches just by lining up pennies. Each penny features iconic designs of U.S. presidents and other historical figures.
Now, the diameter of a penny is 0.75 inches. That means all you’d need is roughly seven pennies placed side by side to reach 5 inches long. You don't even need a measuring tape, just line them up and see for yourself!
4. A Bic Pen
Photo by Cristian Loayza from Pexels
Almost everyone knows the Bic pen. First produced in 1950, these pens have gone on to sell over 100 billion units worldwide. The Bic Cristal pen measures about 5.7 inches long without the cap, making it a common thing many of us use every day.
So, if you ever wonder how long is 5 inches, keeping a Bic pen nearby can give you a quick reference. Just to be clear, this is not an advertisement for Bic.
5. Five Garden Snails
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If you love visiting gardens or parks, you’ve likely noticed garden snails. Those slowly moving, light brown shells are the garden snails, commonly found in moist areas where they feed on plant matter. These snails have an impressive sense of smell that helps them locate food.
The common garden snail, or Cornu aspersum, has a shell diameter of about 1 to 1.6 inches when fully grown. That means you would need roughly five garden snails to reach 5.0 inches.
6. A Soda Can
Photo by Jonny Caspari from Unsplash
Who doesn't love soda cans? We all have a love-hate relationship with soda. We love it; we hate it; we hate how much we love it. While manufacturers are introducing healthier options, that’s a story for another time.
Today, we’re focusing on soda cans. These aluminum containers hold the fizzy drink we all enjoy. The standard soda can measures 4.83 inches in height, which is roughly 5 inches long. That's approximately 5 inches. These 12-oz containers, sealed at both ends, weigh roughly the same as Party Size chip bags. So keep that in mind, if you're planning to throw a party!
7. Five Paper Clips
Photo by Ann H from Pexels
Just like soda cans, paper clips are found everywhere! Standard paper clips are 1 inch in length. So, you only need about 5 of them to equal 5 inches. You can line them up and see for yourself exactly how long is 5 inches.
Paperclips are also one of the most common 1-inch items. And besides helping us understand measurements, they are also handy for keeping our workstations and study tables organized. Just imagine the mess of papers scattered everywhere without them!
This article is exclusively written for MeasurementOf.
8. Two Golf Tees
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Golf tees are those wooden structures holding the golf ball in the ground. The golf tees give the golf ball a structure. Most of us have probably seen golf more on TV than in real life. But rarely do we notice the golf tees themselves.
Though they are there, always there, keeping the ball standing steady. The most popular golf tees measure 2.75 inches. Thus, we just need two of them to be 5 inches. Just place them vertically, and you will be able to estimate 5inch lenght.
9. A Teaspoon
Photo by Rodolfo Quirós from Pexels
If you love cooking, you already know about the term teaspoon. This small utensil measures about 5 inches long and pops up in pretty much every recipe or cooking show you watch. It’s what you use to sprinkle in sugar, salt, and other ingredients just right.
10. Five Tea Light Candles
Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA from Pexels
Tea light candles have a magical way of transforming any space. They’re a go-to for event décor because there’s just something about a candle that instantly changes the vibe of a room! A single tea light candle usually measures about an inch in length. So, just grab 5 of them and stack them into a little candle tower, that’s 5 inches tall!
Once you’ve built your tower, you can break it apart and use the candles in all kinds of DIY projects. You can also find smaller ones, like 0.75 inches long, and pair them with other 2 cm everyday items for your tiny crafts.
11. A US Dollar Bill
Photo by John Guccione from Pexels
The United States dollar bill is one of the most widely recognized currencies in the world. Each US dollar bill, whether it’s a $1 or $100 note, measures exactly 6.14 inches long. While that’s slightly longer than 5 inches, it’s still useful for estimating items close to 6 inches.
But the width of a dollar bill is 2.61 inches. So if you place two bills side by side width-wise, you’ll get a close approximation of 5 inches long.
12. A Pocket Comb
Photo by Daniel Dan from Unsplash
Combing your hair is part of the morning routine for most of us, and for that, a hair comb is a must-have. Sure, some of us just use our trusty hands, but you’ve probably noticed hair combs everywhere.
Though if you’re a stylist, a pocket comb is the real MVP. These usually come in 5inch sizes, perfect for slipping into pockets or purses. So, if you’ve ever used one, you’ve got a good sense of how long is 5 inches. Just remember, standard combs are usually 8 inches long, similar to many other common 8-inch things you use every day.
13. A Nail File
Photo by Sergey Meshkov from Pexels
Speaking of style and beauty, a nail file is just as essential as a comb. They come in all sorts of sizes, but the 5 inch nail file is a favorite for many. It fits perfectly in your purse, so you can touch up your nails anytime, anywhere!
14. Two Poker Cards
Photo by Jack Hamilton from Unsplash
Who needs Balatro when you can enjoy a real poker night with friends? Just grab a deck of poker cards and a few snacks, and you’ve got yourself a perfect evening.
Now, poker cards are 2.5 inches wide and 3.5 inches long. That means if you place two cards side by side, you’ve got exactly 5 inches. Easy to visualize and even more satisfying to play with!
15. Three Ping Pong Balls
Photo by Kevin Malik from Pexels
Playing ping pong is another fun way to hang out with friends. Each ping pong ball, also called a table tennis ball, has a diameter of 1.57 inches. Stack three of them together, and you reach 4.71 inches, pretty close to the 5-inch mark.
It’s a simple way to visualize what 5 inches long looks like using something familiar and fun!
Conclusion
The above list will help you measure and estimate 5 inches with everyday items. If you made it up here, I hope the article was helpful. If you have some examples yourself, do send them to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I measure 5 inches without a ruler?
If you don’t have a ruler handy, there are plenty of common things you can use to estimate length. For example, lining up 7 pennies, stacking 5 paper clips, or placing two poker cards side by side will get you very close to 5 inches long. You can also use your hand: 5 inches compared to a hand is roughly the length of two adult thumbs placed end to end. These everyday comparisons make it easy to visualize how long is 5 inches without any tools.
