Want to understand how long 21 inches is? Look no further.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most familiar and everyday items that equal or are approximately 21 inches long that you can use as reference points.
Therefore, keep this list handy if you want to visualize 21 inches effortlessly anytime you want to.
10 Things That are 21 Inches Long
1. Three Bananas
Bananas are beloved fruits and one of the most popular in the world. They’re widely consumed for their rich nutritional profile, sweet taste, affordability, and convenience – you can bet to find them in every grocery store you walk into.
These typically elongated and curved fellows come in different sizes, with some as tiny as two inches. But on average, the most common banana is about seven inches long, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Therefore, to get to the 21-inch mark, you need to imagine three in a row end to end.
2. Two Burpless Cucumbers
Burpless cucumbers are sweeter and more tender than regular cucumbers. They’re favorites among many since they don’t pose indigestion issues, unlike their counterparts.
Similarly to bananas, burpless cucumbers are widely available in grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and among home gardeners. They’re usually longer than regular ones, with most measuring about ten inches long. And hence, perfect for understanding small measurements like ten inches.
In our case, picturing two end-to-end would give you something close to the 21 inches mark, at 20 inches.
3. Three Typical Pencils
Pencils are familiar everyday items used for various tasks, such as writing, drawing, and sketching.
And as you know, pencils come in all sizes and shapes.
One of the most common is the typical pencil – the one you regularly used in your school days, from pre-school to high school and probably to University.
These typical pencils with the eraser included are usually about 7.5 inches long. So, to get a 21 inches mark with pencils, you would need three as they’re just 1.5 inches past the mark.
4. Four Pens
Similarly to pencils, pens are indispensable everyday tools used for various writing tasks such as taking notes, writing writers, and signing documents.
And while pens come in different sizes and make, including ballpoint pens and felt pens, the most you can recall whenever the thought of a pen strikes the mind is the standard pen you used at school.
Those typical pens are usually 5.49 inches long in their resting state, capped or retracted. Therefore, four would get you to just 0.96 inches beyond the 21-inch point.
5. Five Men’s Wallets
Most men usually have a wallet to keep essentials such as debit cards, money, and visas.
Of course, these wallets are not equal. But if you’ve been keen enough, especially when buying a new one since you have a variety to choose from, most of them have similar measurements, as the ideal size is 3.5 by 4.5 inches.
So if you have one right now or can picture it, you’d need five as they would get you just 1.5 inches beyond the 21-inch point.
6. Six Debit Cards
Debit cards are the most popular mode of payment in the United States. Most Americans use them almost on a daily basis to access money in their checking accounts to make transactions.
Regardless of location, all debit cards measure 2.25 wide by 3.37 inches long – perfect for understanding small measurements, like three inches.
Therefore, using debit cards as your reference points, you’d need six as they’re just 0.78 inches shy of our mark.
7. Seven Baseballs
Baseball is a popular sport in the United States. It, in fact, has a historical significance and has helped shape American culture.
Since baseball is played at all levels, from amateur leagues to high school to professional competitions, chances are you’re familiar with the balls used to play the sport and can even picture their size.
So since the baseballs are about 2.86-2.9 inches in diameter, seven would get you to just 0.7 inches short of the 21 inches point.
8. Two and a Half Standard Bricks
Bricks are versatile construction materials widely used for building houses, bridges, and pavements. Some farmers also use them to make garden beds.
Bricks vary in size from country to country. In the United States, the standard brick is the most common, and it’s the one usually used in house construction.
These bricks are eight inches long as recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials. That means two and a half would give you something just one inch shy of the 21 inches point.
9. Six Standard Playing Cards
Standard playing cards are a ubiquitous tool for card games, such as solitaire, bridge, and rummy. They have a rich history and cultural significance in many different societies.
These playing cards have a standard size of approximately 2.25 inches wide and 3.5 inches long. So, arranging or picturing six in a row length-wise, would give you something 21 inches long.
10. 22 US Quarters
US quarters are a widely recognized and beloved part of American currency, with a rich history and ongoing popularity among collectors and the general public. As the name implies, one is worth 25 cents or a quarter dollar.
All US quarters are identical and have a diameter of 0.955 inches. So if you’ve stacked them, you need to arrange 22 end to end to give you 21.01 inches.
Even if you don’t have as many as 22, you can visualize the distance 22 would cover. But since it can be a challenge to do so, this distance visualization guide can come in handy.
