How Long is 20 Inches? 15 Amazing Everyday Things That Are 20 Inches Long
When it comes to visualizing measurements, 20 inches can sometimes feel tricky. Unlike feet, yards, or meters, inches are often harder to picture unless you compare them to everyday objects. Whether you’re working on a DIY project, shopping online, or simply curious about dimensions, knowing how long 20 inches really is can save time and prevent mistakes.
In this guide, we’ll explore 15 common things that are 20 inches long so you can easily understand and visualize this measurement in real life.
Understanding the Measurement: How Long is 20 Inches?
Before jumping into examples, let’s first understand the conversion:
- 20 inches = 1.67 feet
- 20 inches = 50.8 centimeters
- 20 inches = 0.56 yards
So, 20 inches is a little less than 2 feet or about half a meter.
This makes 20 inches a medium length—longer than most handheld items but shorter than many furniture pieces.
Why Knowing 20 Inches Matters
You might wonder, why is it important to visualize 20 inches? Measurements are an integral part of our daily lives. Whether you’re:
- Buying a 20-inch monitor for your computer
- Measuring a shelf or drawer space
- Shopping for luggage or bags
- Comparing the size of a pet or a child’s toy
Having a clear idea of 20 inches can help you make better choices.
Now, let’s go through 15 common objects that are around 20 inches long.
1. A Standard Computer Monitor
One of the most popular tech items measured in inches is a computer monitor. A 20-inch monitor is a common size for home offices, student setups, and even gaming.
These screens usually measure 20 inches diagonally, meaning the display from corner to corner equals 20 inches. If you’re used to laptops, switching to a 20-inch monitor feels noticeably larger and more comfortable for multitasking.
2. A Medium-Sized Suitcase
When traveling, carry-on luggage often comes in around 20 inches tall. Airlines typically allow bags up to 20–22 inches as cabin baggage.
So, if you picture a suitcase you roll into the airplane cabin, that’s about the length of 20 inches.
3. A Bass Guitar Neck
Musicians will recognize this: the neck of a bass guitar is roughly 20 inches long from the nut to the body.
This makes 20 inches a familiar size in the world of instruments, offering a good visual reference for music lovers.
4. A Kitchen Rolling Pin
If you’ve ever baked cookies, pizza, or pastries, you’ve probably used a rolling pin. A standard wooden rolling pin is usually around 20 inches long, giving enough space to roll dough smoothly.
This is a perfect example because most home bakers can immediately picture its length.
5. A Medium-Sized Backpack
Backpacks vary greatly in size, but many school and travel backpacks measure about 20 inches from top to bottom.
If you’ve worn a backpack that holds a laptop, books, and water bottle, it’s likely close to this measurement.
6. A Flat-Screen TV
Small flat-screen TVs—ideal for kitchens, offices, or bedrooms—often come in 20 inches. Similar to monitors, this measurement is taken diagonally across the screen.
If you’ve seen a compact TV in a hotel or dorm room, you’ve probably seen a 20-inch TV.
7. A Baseball Bat (Youth Size)
Baseball bats come in different lengths for kids and adults. A youth baseball bat is usually around 20 inches long, making it a great real-life example.
This gives athletes and parents a clear sense of how long 20 inches looks in their hands.
8. A Large Throw Pillow
Throw pillows come in many shapes and sizes, but 20-inch square pillows are very common for couches and beds.
So, the decorative pillow you rest your head on while watching TV may be exactly 20 inches across.
9. A Small Dog Breed
Some small dog breeds—like a Beagle or Cocker Spaniel—measure about 20 inches long from nose to tail.
Next time you see a small pet lying down, remember that its length might be very close to 20 inches.
10. A Printer
Home and office printers are usually compact, but many models are around 20 inches wide.
So, if you picture your desktop printer, you’re likely visualizing an object that’s close to 20 inches long.
Most home and office printers are compact, but if you measure them across the width, many models are close to 20 inches long. For example, an inkjet printer often ranges between 18–20 inches wide, while larger laser printers can exceed that.
This makes 20 inches a very practical measurement to visualize—if you’ve ever lifted or placed a printer on a desk, you already know its length is about the same. Since printers are such a common household and workplace item, they serve as an excellent reference point when imagining how long 20 inches really is.
11. A Skateboard Deck
Standard skateboards measure between 28 to 32 inches, but mini skateboards or cruiser decks often measure closer to 20 inches long.
These are popular for kids or casual riders and make an excellent size comparison.
A skateboard deck is another great way to picture 20 inches. While full-size skateboards usually measure between 28 and 32 inches, many mini skateboards or cruiser decks are designed to be shorter—often around 20 inches long.
These compact boards are especially popular with kids and beginners, since they’re lighter, easier to carry, and provide just enough balance without being too large. If you’ve ever seen a child riding a small skateboard or carried a cruiser in your backpack, you’ve likely handled something close to 20 inches in length.
Not only does this make a skateboard deck a fun example of 20 inches, but it also highlights how versatile this size is in sports and recreation equipment.
12. A Microwave Oven
Compact countertop microwaves often measure about 20 inches wide.
If you’ve ever placed one on your kitchen counter, you’ve seen firsthand what 20 inches looks like in appliance form.
Another common household item that measures around 20 inches is a microwave oven. Many compact countertop microwaves are designed to fit neatly in small kitchens and usually measure between 19 and 21 inches wide.
If you picture the microwave sitting on your kitchen counter, its front width is almost exactly 20 inches. This makes it an excellent real-life reference point for the measurement.
Larger models for family-sized cooking can go beyond 20 inches, while smaller dorm-style microwaves may be a bit less. But on average, the standard compact microwave is right around 20 inches wide, making it one of the most practical ways to visualize this length.
13. A Car Tire Diameter
Many cars use wheels with a 20-inch diameter. This refers to the size of the rim, not the overall tire.
If you picture a sporty car with large wheels, that’s another example of how long 20 inches is in real life.
If you’re into cars, you’ve probably noticed that many vehicles—especially trucks, SUVs, and sports cars—use 20-inch tires. This measurement doesn’t refer to the entire tire with rubber but to the rim diameter, which is the circular metal part that the tire mounts onto.
A 20-inch rim gives vehicles a bold, stylish look and often improves handling. When the tire is mounted, the total diameter becomes larger, but the metal rim itself is exactly 20 inches across.
So, next time you see a car with sporty, oversized wheels, you’ll know that many of them measure 20 inches in diameter—a perfect real-world example of how long 20 inches is.
14. A Desktop Keyboard
Most full-size desktop keyboards measure close to 20 inches long.
So, when you’re typing on your computer, the keyboard in front of you is a perfect 20-inch reference point.
15. A Large Ruler or Measuring Tool
While standard school rulers are 12 inches, some longer rulers or measuring sticks come in 20 inches.
If you’re into DIY, sewing, or crafts, you might already own a 20-inch ruler, making this an efficient way to visualize the measurement.
Conclusion
So, how long is 20 inches?
It’s about 1.67 feet or 50.8 cm, and as we’ve seen, it matches the size of many everyday objects—like a suitcase, a rolling pin, a pillow, or a backpack.
By comparing 20 inches to these 15 common items, you now have a clearer idea of its actual length.
Whether you’re shopping online, measuring furniture, or just curious, remembering these objects will make visualizing 20 inches much easier.
