Imagining 20 cm: Real-Life Comparisons and Uses

Centimeters are a simple measurement unit, at least with the metric system. 5 cm or 10 cm is simple enough to visualize in your mind, but sometimes it is difficult to conceptualize how long 20 cm is without a reference point. From measuring objects around the house to approximating distances along roads to comprehending various industries’ sizing, being able to visualize how long 20 cm is can be useful.

This article provides the distance of 20 cm in comparative terms of everyday objects, its application in various fields, and the time taken to travel this distance.

Conversion of 20 cm to Other Units

20 cm can be interpreted more easily if converted into other units of length.

Measurement	Equivalent
Inches	7.87 inches
Feet	0.656 feet
Millimeters	200 mm
Meters	0.2 meters
Yards	0.218 yards

At almost 8 inches, 20 cm is a wonderful size, so it is easy to utilize lots on a day-to-day basis.

How Long Is 20 cm Compared to Common Objects?

One of the easiest ways to understand 20 cm is to relate it to common objects.

Household Objects

• A regular-sized pencil measures around 19 cm long, so it is roughly the same as 20 cm.
• A butter knife is approximately 20 cm from the handle to the tip.
• A TV remote would be approximately 18 to 22 cm long, and hence 20 cm is the mean length.
• A tablet computer screen on handheld models could be approximately 20 cm diagonally.

School and Office Stationery

• An A4 sheet is 29.7 cm in length, and 20 cm would be approximately two-thirds of that.
• A classroom ruler is usually 30 cm, so 20 cm is half the length of a standard ruler.
• Planners and certain notebooks are 20 cm wide for ease of use by users.

Body Parts

• An adult hand from fingertips to wrist is approximately 18 to 20 cm long, so 20 cm is roughly the size of most adults’ hands.
• A size 9 shoe is about 20 to 22 cm long, depending on style and brand.
• A smartphone like an iPhone 14 Pro Max or a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is about 16 to 17 cm, so 20 cm is just slightly bigger than most big smartphones.

How Long Does It Take to Travel 20 cm?

Time to travel 20 cm is variable depending on mode of transport and speed.

Average Travel Times

Mode of Transport	Average Speed	Time to Travel 20 cm
Walking	5 km/h	0.14 seconds
Running	10 km/h	0.07 seconds
Cycling	20 km/h	0.035 seconds
Driving (urban speed)	50 km/h	0.014 seconds
Driving (highway speed)	100 km/h	0.007 seconds

For all cars, 20 cm is traversed in a fraction of a second. But in these highly accurate movements like engineering, robotics, and sports, this short distance could be crucial.

20 cm in Sports and Fitness

20 cm is employed intensively in sports, physical exercise, and fitness.

• The vertical jump of average athletes is between 20 and 30 cm, and therefore 20 cm is a standard to attain.
• Handles of gym dumbbells such as kettlebells are usually 20 cm in width.
• The length of soccer cleat or mini football cleat is approximately 20 cm.

20 cm in Building and Architecture

20 cm is frequently utilized in building, carpentry, and architecture.

• Home floor tiles are 20 cm x 20 cm, and the square size is used as a standard for kitchens and bathrooms.
• Chair heights are multiples of 20 cm, and most of the standard chairs and stools are 40 to 60 cm high.
• Bookshelves usually have 20 cm gaps between the shelves where ornaments and books will be fitted in a convenient manner.

How Is 20 cm Compared to Other Sizes?

Understand how 20 cm compares to other typical sizes in order to picture better.

Object or Distance	Measure
Typical pencil	19 cm
Butter knife	20 cm
TV set remote control	20 to 22 cm
Large smartphone	16 to 17 cm
Two stacked credit cards end to end	20 cm
One-third of A4 paper	20 cm

All the above comparisons enable one to visualize 20 cm in real life.

Is 20 cm a noticeable length?

Yes, 20 cm is a noticeable length for most situations.

• For handheld objects, 20 cm is an ideal length, as can be seen in knives, tools, and remote controls.
• For height, 20 cm is quite high, as can be seen in furniture ergonomics and sports performance.
• For fitness and sports, 20 cm is a remarkable improvement, especially for sprinting, jumping, or stretching exercises.

FAQs

How much is 20 cm in inches?
20 cm is approximately 7.87 inches.

What are some everyday objects that are approximately 20 cm long?
A big smartphone, remote, butter knife, and pencil are all approximately 20 cm long.

How much is 20 cm in feet?
20 cm is roughly 0.656 feet.

Is it 20 cm longer than a standard smartphone?
Yes, the standard smartphone is roughly 16 to 17 cm long, so 20 cm is slightly longer.

Is 20 cm larger than a ruler?
A typical school ruler is 30 cm long, and therefore 20 cm is about two-thirds of the whole ruler.