17 Common things that are 11 inches long
We have all faced that annoying moment when we need to measure something, whether it’s checking if a box fits on a shelf or sizing up a laptop sleeve, but the measuring tape is nowhere to be found. It is in these frustrating moments that our ability to determine precise measurements is hindered, and we have to get a little creative by looking at the world around us.
Luckily, we can resort to an alternative approach by comparing the lengths of everyday objects to the size we need. While these common items may not offer the laser precision of a ruler, they provide a reliable general indication and understanding of the length we seek. This pragmatic method allows for a practical estimation when traditional tools just aren’t an option.
How Long is 11 Inches?
The length of 11 inches is precisely equivalent to 27.94 centimeters or 279.4 millimeters, or 0.92 feet.
You might wonder, how big is 11 inches compared to other sizes? It is actually one of the most standard dimensions we encounter in daily life, mostly due to standard office supplies. Through a simple comparison of objects with this length, we can effortlessly grasp an understanding of items that are either 11 inches long or very close to this measurement.
17 Common things that are 11 inches long
Here is a curated list of 17 everyday items that are roughly 11 inches in length. These objects can serve as impromptu measuring tools, providing a practical and sufficient estimate for various purposes.
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Height of a US letter-sized paper
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IPad Pro
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A sheet of construction paper
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Standard dinner plate diameter
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Adult men’s shoe size 11
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Two average ballpoint pens lined up
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A long kitchen spatula
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Two iPhone SE 3rd gen
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Two iPhone 13 mini
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Large chef’s knife blade
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A ruler minus 1 inch
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A long TV remote
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Five Pool Balls
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11 Bottle Caps
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11 Paper Clips
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4 Tennis Balls
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11 US Quarters
Without further delay, let’s explore these items in more detail.
1. Height of a US letter-sized paper
I am putting this at number 1 because it is the absolute gold standard for this measurement. If you live in North America, you almost certainly have a sheet of standard printer paper lying around. The standard US Letter paper size is exactly 8.5 by 11 inches.
This means the long side of that paper is precisely the length we are looking for. As a measurement lover guy, I always tell people: if you have a printer, you effectively have a perfect 11-inch ruler. It is the most accurate reference you will find without a tape measure.
2. iPad Pro
If you are a tech enthusiast like me, you might have an iPad Pro handy. Specifically, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation) has a physical height of roughly 11.04 inches.
Note that I am talking about the physical length of the device’s longest side, not the screen diagonal. It is incredibly satisfying how close this device gets to our target, making it a sleek, modern ruler for quick checks.
3. A sheet of construction paper
Similar to the printer paper method, standard construction paper used in arts and crafts often comes in a 9 x 12-inch format, but the letter-sized (8.5 x 11-inch) variety is also extremely common in schools.
If you grab a sheet from your kid’s art project pile, just double-check if it’s the slightly larger 12-inch version or the standard letter size. Either way, it gives you a fantastic reference point for 11 inches to cm conversion visually.
4. Standard dinner plate diameter
While dinner plates can vary wildly, a “large” standard dinner plate typically has a diameter of around 10.5 to 11 inches.
Most formal dining sets use an 11-inch plate as the main service piece. Next time you are setting the table, take a look at your largest plates; they might just be the visual guide you need.
You can also read: 13 Common things that are 8 Inches long
5. Adult men’s shoe size 11
This one is easy to remember! In the US shoe sizing system, a Men’s Size 11 shoe corresponds to a foot length of approximately 10.9 to 11 inches (roughly 27.9 cm). To put that in perspective for my international readers, an Adult US Men’s size 11 translates to a UK size 10 or an EU size 44. If we are looking at women’s footwear, a US size 11 corresponds to a UK size 9 or roughly an EU size 41-42.
If you or a friend wears a size 11, their foot (or the sole of their shoe) is a walking measuring tape. It’s a very practical body-reference method that you can use anywhere without needing extra tools.
6. Two average ballpoint pens lined up
Most standard ballpoint pens are roughly 5.5 to 6 inches long. For Instance, the classic BIC Cristal Pen is approximately 5.9 inches long with the cap on and 5.69 inches long without the cap. If you line up two of these pens end-to-end, you get a total length of roughly 11.6 inches, which is almost just shy of our standard 11-inch mark.
Since pens vary slightly by brand, this is an estimation method, but it’s great for a quick “eyeball” measurement when you are at your desk trying to figure out how long 11 inches is.
7. A long kitchen spatula
If you head into the kitchen, check your utensil drawer. While small turners are shorter, a standard long-handled kitchen spatula or a frosting spatula often measures right around 11 to 12 inches from handle to tip.
It’s a handy tool to grab if you need to measure a pan or a countertop space while you are cooking and don’t want to run to the garage for a tape measure.
8. Two iPhone SE 3rd gen
The iPhone SE (3rd generation) is a compact phone with a height of 5.45 inches. If you place two of these phones in a straight line, top to bottom, you get a combined length of 10.9 inches.
This is startlingly close to our 11-inch target. Since many of us have phones in our pockets, using two of them (or one measured twice) is a brilliant hack.
9. Two iPhone 13 mini
Similar to the SE, the iPhone 13 Mini is another compact powerhouse. It stands 5.18 inches tall. Lining up two of them gives you 10.36 inches.
While this is a little shy of 11 inches, it serves as a great lower-bound estimate. If your object is just slightly longer than two Mini iPhones, you know you’ve hit the mark.
10. Large chef’s knife blade
Professional chefs’ knives usually come in blade lengths of 8, 10, or 12 inches. However, some large specialty knives or slicing knives have a blade length of exactly 11 inches.
Even if you have a standard 10-inch knife, visualizing just one inch more (about the width of a thumb) gets you to your target. Just be very careful using sharp cutlery for measuring!
11. A ruler minus 1 inch
This is the most “obvious” cheat code. A standard school ruler is 12 inches long (one foot).
If you simply ignore the last inch or cover it with your thumb, you are left with exactly 11 inches. It’s the most accurate way of learning this length if you have the tool, but need to visualize the specific dimension.
12. A long TV remote
While modern streaming remotes are getting tiny, the classic “Cable Box” remotes or large universal remotes are frequently quite long, often measuring between 9 and 11 inches.
If you have one of those chunky, button-filled remotes on your coffee table, give it a measure. It might be surprisingly close to the length you need.
13. Five Pool Balls
Standard American pool balls have a diameter of 2.25 inches. If you were to line up 5 of them in a row (perhaps in the ball return tray), the total length would be 11.25 inches.
This is extremely close to our target, making it a fun reference for anyone with a billiard table at home.
Also, check it out: How long is 12 inches compared to an object?
14. 11 Bottle Caps
Standard crown cork bottle caps (like the ones on glass soda or beer bottles) have a diameter of roughly 1.02 inches (roughly 26 mm), including the flared skirt.
If you line up 11 of them side-by-side, you get approximately 11.22 inches. It’s a fun bar trick to estimate length using the caps from your drinks!
15. 11 Paper Clips
For this to work, you need to use the standard “small” paper clips (often 25mm or 1 inch long), not the jumbo ones.
If you chain together or line up 11 of these standard clips, you will reach a length of roughly 11 inches. It’s a classic office supply hack that never fails.
16. 4 Tennis Balls
A regulation tennis ball has a diameter between 2.57 and 2.70 inches. If you line up 4 tennis balls, you get a length between 10.3 and 10.8 inches.
While it’s a tiny bit short of a perfect 11, it is a very consistent standard. Visualizing a tube of 4 tennis balls gives you a very solid idea of this size.
17. 11 US Quarter
The US Quarter has a diameter of 0.955 inches. If you line up 11 quarters in a straight row, the total length comes out to 10.5 inches.
While it’s about half an inch short, it’s a very accessible method since we usually have change lying around. If you add a tiny gap between them, or just add half a thumb width at the end, you have your 11 inches.
Conclusion
In the absence of traditional measuring tools, these everyday items offer a practical and accessible solution for estimating lengths of around 11 inches.
From the paper in your printer to the phone in your pocket, the world around us provides an array of unconventional yet reliable measuring options, proving that creativity and resourcefulness go hand in hand in solving everyday challenges. Hopefully, next time you are stuck without a ruler, one of these methods will save the day!
