13 Common things that are 8 Inches long
In instances where the absence of a measuring tool hinders our ability to determine precise measurements, we can resort to an alternative approach by comparing the lengths of everyday objects.
While these common items may not offer exact measurements, they provide a general indication and understanding of the length we seek to measure. This pragmatic method allows for a practical estimation when traditional measuring tools are unavailable.
How Long is 8 Inches?
The length of 8 inches is precisely equivalent to 20.32 centimeters or 203.2 millimeters, or 0.68 feet.
The length of 8 inches is a common dimension encountered frequently in our daily lives. Through a simple comparison of objects with this length, we can effortlessly grasp an understanding of items that are either 8 inches long or close to this measurement.
13 Common things that are 8 inches long
Here’s a list of 13 everyday items that are roughly 8 inches in length. These objects can serve as impromptu measuring tools in the absence of traditional measurement instruments, providing a practical and sufficient estimate for various purposes.
- An Average Male Hand
- An Average Banana
- Standard Pencil
- iPad Mini
- Mouse Pad
- Kitchen’s Knife
- Small Hockey Stick Blade
- A large chef’s knife blade
- A standard dinner plate
- A small pizza (individual size)
- A standard-sized kitchen spoon
- A Standard Mobile Phone
- A ruler
Without further delay, let’s explore these items in more detail.
1. An Average Male Hand
I love this method personally because of its ease of access that’s why I have put this method on number 1 as usual. An Average Adult Male hand is 7.6 inches long from the tip of the middle finger to the wrist of the hand.
Not every hand has the same length so I will personally suggest you guys to first measure your hand size in your spare time with a ruler so next time when you need to measure anything, you can use your hand dimensions to understand the length of different things.
As a measurement lover guy, I know my hand’s measurements of different lengths and it definitely helps me measure things with my own hands. Measuring things with your own hands is a great method and I don’t think you need any other method if you become proficient at it.
2. An Average Banana
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, A banana is at least 7 inches long. Usually, a small banana is around 6-7 inches long, a medium one is 7-8 inches long, and a large one is 8-9 inches long.
By considering the length of medium or large bananas that come in the range of 7-9 inches long, we can get a general understanding of the things that are 8 inches long.
This fruit can serve as a delicious and accessible measuring tool, making it a fun and practical alternative when traditional rulers are nowhere to be found.
3. Standard Pencil
The average length of a standard mechanical pencil is about 7 inches long and if we consider that eraser part too then it comes around 7.5 to 8 inches long.
Of course, the length of the pencil depends upon the manufacturer, brand, and material but we are here just to get a general idea of the things that are 8 inches long.
A small margin of error is possible in any case as we are not here for precise results. Measuring things with a pencil is another great method for measuring things when a ruler or measuring tape is not around.
4. iPad Mini
The iPad mini is one of the smallest tablets in the world. Its length is precisely 8.3 inches long and it comes under our 8-inch radar. We can ignore that exceeded 0.3 inches in length as we are here just to get the general idea of the things that are 8 inches long.
This portable device can serve as a quick reference for estimating lengths, especially when a ruler is not readily available.
5. Mouse Pad
The average mouse pad is designed to accommodate the movements of a computer mouse and typically measures close to 8 inches in width. In a tech-driven world, this familiar item becomes a convenient measuring tool for everyday tasks.
Mouse Pad also comes in different measurements depending upon brand, manufacturer, and brand. For instance, the Amazon Basics Small Computer Mouse Pad is precisely 8.3 inches long and 10 inches wide.
We can consider its length part as our 8-inch target and can use it as a measuring instrument when other measuring instruments are not present.
6. Kitchen’s Knife
A standard kitchen knife, commonly used for chopping and slicing, often boasts a blade length of approximately 8 inches. Beyond its culinary applications, this kitchen essential becomes a handy measuring tool for those impromptu moments in the kitchen.
7. Small Hockey Stick Blade
There is no standard length for the Hockey Stick Blade’s length. Small Hockey Stick blade length is usually 8 inches long and a large hockey stick is around 9 inches long. In the NHL, the Maximum blade length is 12.5 inches.
We can consider a small hockey stick blade length, as it comes under our 8-inch target, and it can be used as a measuring tool in good times.
8. A large chef’s knife blade
If you spend any time cooking, you likely have one of these in your drawer. The “Chef’s Knife” is the most versatile tool in the kitchen. They come in different sizes from 6 inches to 10 inches, but the most common and versatile Chef’s knife is typically around 8 inches long.
Please note, I am talking specifically about the blade length here, not including the handle. Since this is such a standardized industry size, if you have a chef’s knife at home, you essentially have a perfect 8-inch ruler sitting in your knife block. Just be careful when handling this sharp measuring tool!
9. A standard dinner plate
While measuring plates can be tricky because they come in various styles, the “luncheon” plate or a smaller standard dinner plate usually has a diameter of about 8 to 9 inches. Even on larger 10-inch dinner plates, the inner recessed area (the flat part where the food actually sits, excluding the rim) is frequently right around 8 inches wide.
It serves as a good visual reference because we look at plates every single day. Visualizing a plate’s width is a quick mental hack to estimate this length.
10. A small pizza (individual size)
Who doesn’t love using food as a reference? If you order a “personal” size pizza or a child-size pizza from most major chains or local pizzerias, they are typically made to be 8 inches in diameter.
Usually cut into four slices, this individual meal is a perfect circle of our target length. So, the next time you treat yourself to a personal pan pizza, take a quick mental note of its size; it’s roughly the 8-inch benchmark we are looking for.
11. A standard-sized kitchen spoon
Go ahead and open your cutlery drawer for this one. While a teaspoon is usually quite a bit smaller (around 6 inches), a standard dinner spoon or soup spoon often falls right into the 7.5 to 8-inch range. Serving spoons are almost always a solid 8 inches or slightly more.
Since everyone has silverware in their house, grabbing a large spoon is one of the quickest ways to check if an object is close to the 8-inch mark without having to hunt for a tape measure.
12. A Standard Mobile Phone
Coming up at 12 is my personal favourite method because of its ease of access, which is Mobile Phones, and I love to measure things from it because it gives me a very decent idea of the dimensions of different things that have dimensions of around smartphone length.
We all have these in our pockets, so they are the easiest tool to use. Most average modern smartphones are around 6 to 6.5 inches in height. For example, a standard iPhone or Samsung Galaxy is usually just over 6 inches. While this is short of our target, we can use it for “addition” estimation.
If you hold your phone up and visualize adding about two fingers’ width (or roughly 1.5 to 2 inches) to the top of it, you will hit the 8-inch mark. It’s a great way to evaluate length on the go by using the device you’re already holding.
13. A ruler
I saved the most obvious for last! While we are talking about alternative ways to measure, we can’t deny that the standard 12-inch ruler is the king of measurement. This is the most basic and accurate way of learning what 8 inches looks like.
Since a ruler is exactly one foot (12 inches), 8 inches is simply two-thirds of the entire stick. If you want to train your eye to recognize this length perfectly, spend a minute staring at the 8-inch mark on a ruler; it beats guessing every time!
Conclusion:
In the absence of traditional measuring tools, these everyday items offer a practical and accessible solution for estimating lengths of around 8 inches.
From kitchen tools to sports equipment, 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.
