12 Common Things That Are 4 Inches Long

Introduction

Inches are a crucial unit of measurement in our daily lives, but we don't always have a ruler or measuring tape on hand. That's where this article comes in. I'll show you how long 4 inches is by using common objects for comparison. With this knowledge, you can easily measure 4 inches without any tools.

How long is 4 inches?

An inch is a standard measurement unit. Four inches equals 10.16 centimeters. How long is 4 inches in feet? It is about one third of one foot. If you are familiar with yards, then 4 inches is about one-twelfth of a yard.

4 in = 10.16 cm = 0.33 foot = 0.083 yard

Now that we have the exact measurement, let's find the everyday things that measure the same.

Common Objects That Are 4 Inches Long

You'll be surprised to know how many common household items you use and see every day that are 4 inches long. If you want, take a measuring tape and measure for yourself. 

1. Popsicle stick
2. Four Paperclips
3. Four US Quarters
4. Average hand width
5. Baseballs
6. Two golf tees
7. Two credit cards
8. Business envelope
9. Foam sheets
10. iPhone 5
11. Erasers
12. Soda cans

1. Popsicle stick

I wanted to start this list on a fun note, hence the Popsicles. If you don't like popsicles, then this article and the world are not for you. I'm joking, of course! But who knew those frozen goodies could be used for measurements?

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Did you know the average size of a popsicle stick is about 4.5 inches? They are not the perfect measure, but they can be used as an estimate to see how big is 4 inches. So, next time you are enjoying a popsicle, I hope this comes to your mind.

2. Four Paper clips

Paper clips are a handy piece of stationery. They help to keep our workstation or study table clean and tidy. No one loves a messy desk with papers everywhere, especially when the boss comes to check. Paper clips save us every time!

Now these paper clips are available in different sizes, but smaller paper clips are used more commonly.

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These are about an inch. So, if you take four of them and line them vertically or horizontally (your pick), make sure you place them end to end, they will equal 4 inches. You can also measure inches with the larger ones. If you use 2 inches long paperclips, so you will need only two to make four.

3. Four US Quarters

Quarters are an indispensable part of our life. So many bets were made on them. Some days you won, and some days you lost. But did you know the diameter of these 25 cents is very close to an inch (about 0.955 inches)? This works as a great example of how big 1 inch is.

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To get 4 inches, all you need to do is position four quarters in a straight row. You'll get 3.82 inches, nearly 4 inches. We usually have quarters in our pockets. So, four quarters will do if you are ever in a measurement situation and need to make a rough estimate.

4. Average hand width

The average hand width measures around 4 inches. The width constitutes the area from your knuckle of the forefinger up to the knuckle of the pinky finger. You can also measure across the palm of your hand at the widest point. But remember not to include the thumb.

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If you have small hands, then this measurement is not for you. People with a height of around 5 feet have average sized hands. Guessing 5 feet length is not a difficult job. Let's find out some interesting reference objects that are 5 feet.

5. Golf tees

We all know what golf is; we have seen it plenty of times in movies and series. In movies, we have seen countless deals made while the golf ball flies through what appears to be an endless meadow. I don’t know how many of you've noticed, but the ball is usually supported by a wooden structure called a golf tee.

Image by Brendan Dalley from Pixabay

These golf tees are plunged into the ground to support the ball. The most popular golf tees start from 1 inch to a maximum of 4 inches for super large tees. However, the old standard tee length is 2.125 in. So, you need two such tees to get close to 4 inches, or you can double down the estimation of one.

6. Two Credit Cards

The credit cards issued by banks are usually 3.37 inches long and 2.125 inches wide. This is the international standard size. There can be other credit cards with different lengths.

Image by Pixabay from Pexels

So in case you ever need to measure anything that is 4 inches, just pull out our credit card. When you place two credit cards side by side along their width, you get 4.25 inches in total. That's pretty close to a perfect four.

However, taking your credit card out of your purse or wallet doesn't mean you must use it. So, put that it back where you found it!

This article is exclusively written for Measurementof.

7. Baseballs

This point is specifically for all those baseball fans out there and also because it fits the descriptions. But please know the first point took priority. Baseballs have been a part of both pleasant and bad memories for all of us. 

Image by Cindy Jones from Pixabay

But we can all agree they have been an indispensable part of our childhood. These baseballs each have a diameter ranging from 2.86 to 2.94 inches (73-75 mm). If you take one and a half baseballs in standardized size, they will be about 4.5 inches. This gives a close estimate of 4 inches.

8. Business Envelope

Business envelopes have a special place in this article. These envelopes are made in a standard size. These window envelopes are a little over 4 inches, making them a perfect addition in this list.

Image by Pixabay from Pexels

If you have a business envelope in your home, just take a measuring tape and measure them if you don't believe me!

9. Foam Sheet

If you are a DIY person, the chances are you have these foam sheets in your home. These are mostly used when manufacturing sofa sets at home. The foam sheets are sold according to length, size, and color. Most common ones among these have a thickness of 4 inches.

Image by Christian Kaindl from Unsplash

If you are thinking about building that sofa set you saw in a video on YouTube, then this article is the sign. It doesn't have to be perfect, but if it does, do reach out. And if it’s not perfect, repurpose it!

10. iPhone 5

IPhone is like anticipation, and addiction rolled into one. Every year, they release new models, and their loyal customers race through life to buy them. I mean, not all of them. You know who you are. iPhone 5s was launched back in 2012. In iPhone terms, it was before human civilization.

Image by Tracy Le Blanc from Pexels

The iPhone 5 display has a diagonal length of exactly 4 inches. There is no need to add or subtract anything. It is exactly 4 inches. So if you have access to one of these, check out how big 4 inches are.

11. Erasers

There is no need to say anything about the erasers. We all know how important they are. The eraser is probably your best friend if you are an art student focusing on sketches and outlines. Erasers are manufactured in various sizes and shapes.

Image by Dmitriy from Pixabay

The best ones are manufactured for children – so many colors and shapes but need little effort to erase. However, for us adults, the standard 2 inch long rubbery substance will do. If you put two of them in a row, you get 4-inches.

12. Soda cans

Soda cans have a variety of sizes. However, the most common ones are the 12-ounce soda cans. They are easily available in places. The diameter of these cans is about 2.13 inches at the lids. At their widest part, they are little larger 2.6 in. These cans have a height of 4.83 inches.

Image by Jonny Caspari from Unsplash

If you look at the height of the can, you get a much higher estimate than 4 inches. Just have to subtract about an inch. However, you can also take two cans and place them adjacent to each other. Now consider one and half of the other can's diameter to get four inches.

Conclusion

There are a surprising number of common objects that measure 4 inches in length. From erasers to smartphones, paper clips to soda cans, these everyday objects highlight how small items can play a significant role in our lives. While knowing about small objects sized 1 inch or 2 inches can be fun, getting to know about large size objects such as 2 feet or 10 feet can be interesting as well.