Measuring plays a crucial role in every aspect of our lives, from the world around us to fields like science, commerce, cooking, music, agriculture, manufacturing, and navigation. It helps us gain knowledge, make informed decisions, and take meaningful actions.
Knowing the diameter of everyday objects can make life a lot simpler. While using a tape measure or a ruler is straightforward, you don’t always have one on hand, do you? That’s where being familiar with the lengths of common items can be incredibly useful. When you already know the size of something, it’s easy to compare it to another object for quick measurements.
To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of 9 familiar items that are exactly That Are 7 Inches Long.
1. Butter Knife
A “butter knife” is a table knife with a dull edge, a rounded tip, and no serrations. This design makes it ideal for spreading butter without tearing the bread. Butter knives come in various styles and sizes, but they are usually between 5 and 7 inches long, making them a bit smaller than dinner knives. They are also often referred to as butter spreaders.
If you’ve been to a fancy restaurant, dinner party, brunch, or even an informal gathering, you’ve probably used a butter knife. They are a common item in most kitchens, so you likely have one at home.
In case you need to measure something at the table or in the kitchen, a butter knife can be a handy tool. Just be sure to wipe off any butter before using it for measuring!
2. Paper Clips
You’re probably familiar with paper clips—the little fasteners made of steel wire, bent into a closed, elongated “U” shape to hold sheets of paper together. Sound familiar?
While there are many types of paper clips, the most common is the Gem clip. These come in various sizes, but the standard colorful, oblong paper clips are about 1 inch long. So, if you line up 7 of them end to end, you’ll get a total length of That Are 7 Inches Long.
3. Debit or Credit Cards
We almost always carry debit or credit cards, and they’re all pretty much the same size. In fact, you probably have one in your wallet right now.
These rectangular cards, made of plastic or metal, are issued by banks orfinancial institutions to make borrowing and spending money convenient. But did you know they can also double as a measuring tool?
A standard credit or debit card is typically 3.2 to 3.5 inches long. By lining up two of them, you’ll get a total length of around 7 inches. So, if you ever need to measure something and don’t have a ruler handy, your card can save the day!
4. Salad Plates
If you’ve ever eaten at a restaurant, you’ve probably noticed your salad served on a smaller plate. This is called a salad plate. It’s made to show off your greens nicely and is usually used for the first or second course of a meal.
Salad plates are a bit smaller than dinner plates and usually come in two sizes. The smaller ones are about 7 inches wide, and the larger ones are between 8 and 8.5 inches.
5. Golf Balls
You’ve probably seen or heard about Tiger Woods dominating his Open Championship rivals, so you likely know what a golf ball looks like—even if you’re not a golf enthusiast.
Golf balls are designed with a standard diameter of 1.68 inches, and official regulations ensure they don’t exceed this size. So, if you line up four golf balls end to end, their combined length would be roughly 7 inches.
6. Wooden Pencil
A wooden pencil is one of the most common items around, so there’s a good chance you have one at home or work.
Pencils come in various sizes, but the standard length of a #2 wooden pencil—often seen in classrooms and offices—is about 7 to 7.5 inches when brand new and unsharpened.
If you ever need to measure something, you can use a pencil as a reference or simply visualize its length to estimate 7 inches.
7. Crayons
Both kids and adults love drawing with crayons. If you’ve ever been to elementary school, chances are you used crayons in art class, no matter where you grew up.
A standard crayon is usually about 3.5 inches long. So, if you line up two crayons, their combined length will be 7 inch.
8. Coins
Coins are some of the most widely found items across the globe. If you check your wallet or pockets, you’re likely to find a few coins without much effort.
In the United States, a quarter has a diameter of 1 inch, so you can visualize 7 inches by imagining seven quarters lined up. Pennies, which have a diameter of 0.75 inches, can also help you estimate 7 inches—just line up 9 pennies.
9. Novelty Items
Many novelty items measure 7 inches in length, and it’s their distinctiveness that makes them appealing to buyers. Some are designed as gags or for comedic effect, while others are rare or historic, like the antique 7-inch diameter Koprebati singing bowl. If you pay attention, you’ll find plenty of other unique items with a 7-inch measurement.
In this article, I’ve listed just 9 of the most common 7-inch items. But there are many more out there—keep an eye out, and you’re bound to come across even more!