A distance of six feet gained prominence as a public health measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Understanding how long it is at that period helped guide public behavior, contributing to collective efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
But other than that, understanding how long it is can help you in everyday activities such as measuring spaces or understanding physical dimensions for construction or design purposes.
In this post, we’ll help you understand how long six feet is using familiar items so you can visualize it whenever you want.
Let’s dive in.
Read: How Big is 50 Cubic Feet?
15 Common Comparisons For 6 Feet
Six feet equals 72 inches, 182.88 cm, 1.83 meters, and about 2 yards.
It’s comparable to the following.
1. A King-size Mattress Width
Mattresses are often used as reference points for understanding measurements because they are typically available in standardized sizes.
A king-size mattress is one of the largest mattresses known for its spaciousness. It’s approximately 76 inches wide and 80 inches long.
Its width is, therefore, a reliable reference for six feet because 76 inches is about 6.3 feet.
2. A Twin-size Mattress
A twin-size mattress is one of the smaller mattress sizes, typically measuring around 38 inches wide and 75 inches (about 6.25 feet) long.
Thus, to provide a visual comparison, it’s the length of a twin-size mattress that approximates six feet, in contrast to a king-size bed.
You’re most likely to find these mattresses in smaller bedrooms where space is a consideration, like children’s bedrooms or in daybeds and bunk beds.
3. A Full-size Mattress
Although wider than a twin-size mattress, a full-size mattress is just as long, so it’s also an excellent way to visualize six feet.
This option is the most common than the twin size due to its versatility. It’s ideal for guest rooms, teenagers’ bedrooms, or smaller master bedrooms with limited space – so you may be more familiar with it.
4. A California Mattress Width
A California mattress is rare, but if you sleep on one or are familiar with it, it could be just what you need to understand how long six feet is. It’s precisely six feet wide and seven feet long.
Due to its spacious sleeping room, it’s well-suited for individuals or couples who desire extra length, making it a good fit for taller people.
5. A Midsize Car Height
Cars can also serve as reliable references for measurements, especially when discussing the size of objects or spaces in everyday contexts.
And since cars are available in all sizes, we’ll go with midsize cars since this category is the most popular in many countries, including the United States.
The dimensions of midsize cars vary between models, but most are about six feet tall on average. Some popular models in this category include the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, and Hyundai Sonata.
So, you can imagine any midsize car you know to get a picture of the length you’re looking for.
6. A Standard Front Door
Front doors provide an excellent reference point when discussing measurements because they’re an identifiable feature in a building’s structure.
Although they may vary in size depending on the region and one’s preference, most front doors are usually two meters long, making them perfect references for 2 meters.
And what’s two meters in feet? 6.67 feet. So, visualize six feet as a little shorter than a standard front door.
7. A Standard Whirlpool Refrigerator
Another item you can compare six feet to at home is a refrigerator.
A standard Whirlpool refrigerator will serve you well in this case since, although it comes in different sizes, they all range from 66 to 70 inches in height. That’s approximately six feet.
8. A MacBook Air Charger Cable
The standard length for MacBook Air charger cables is around 6 feet, making it a perfect reference for six feet if you possess one.
Of course, the length of the charger cable can vary depending on the model and the region it’s intended for, but it usually flirts with six feet.
9. A High School Locker
For many, high school lockers often evoke nostalgia and varied memories, ranging from the excitement of decorating them with personal touches to the rush between classes.
And if you can recall how tall a high school locker is, you can build an idea of how long six feet is as they are approximately as tall.
10. 5 Bowling Pins
Bowling pins are cylindrical tools with a tapered top used in bowling – a competitive sport and a social activity often enjoyed with friends and family.
They are excellent reference points for measurements, albeit short ones starting with 15 inches, since they are usually 15 inches long.
But if you visualize arranging five bowling pins end-to-end on a flat surface? Most bowling enthusiasts can do that, and that’s a fantastic way to visualize six feet because they stretch as long.
11. A Hockey Goal Opening
The dimensions of hockey goals are standardized by hockey governing bodies and are used in professional and amateur play.
They are usually six feet wide and two feet tall, meaning you can visualize a hockey goal opening to understand how long six feet is.
12. 12 US Dollar Notes
US dollar bills are consistent in size, making them a convenient tool for quick estimations when you can’t find an exact measurement tool.
Regardless of the denomination, all US dollar notes are 6.14 inches (half a foot) long, to suit short measurements starting with six and 12 inches.
But since chances are you can get as many as 12, arrange them end-to-end on a flat surface to get a sense of six feet. Even if you don’t have them right now, it’s easy to visualize such a scenario due to their familiarity.
13. 13 Pens
Pens can be convenient and accessible references for informal measurements in everyday situations due to their prevalence in most homes.
Although they are available in different types and sizes, a pen for general writing (like the one used in schools) is 5 to 6 inches (0.45 feet) when capped.
So, imagine placing 13 pens end-to-end to get a sense of six feet.
14. 10 Pencils
The sight (or even a thought) of pencils can evoke a sense of nostalgia for school times, reminding people of classrooms, desks, and the act of learning.
And if you can picture one, it could be a life hack for understanding measurements, moreso short ones starting with 8 inches since pencils are approximately 7.5 inches long.
You can also employ the trick even for comparatively longer measurements, like in our case here. Imagine a line of ten pencils arranged end-to-end to realize how long six feet is.
Read: How Big is 100 Cubic Feet?
15. 9 Standard Red Bricks
If you look around residential homes, commercial buildings, and institutional facilities, chances are you can spot red brick since they are a characteristic element of architecture.
The size of red bricks varies from country to country, so you can use a number to visualize six feet depending on where you are.
In the United States and the UK, six feet is comparable to nine bricks since red bricks are eight and eight and a half inches long in these regions.
