Things That Are 5 cm Long: 18 Everyday Examples

1

A standard AA battery is 5.05 centimetres long, right around five centimetres. Most homes keep one in a remote or a drawer, so it is the fastest five centimetre check you can grab.

The AA size is fixed by international standard, so any brand matches. Lay it flat and it marks the length within half a millimetre.

• Size: 5.05 cm (50.5 mm)
• Set by battery standards
• Right around 5 cm

2

A US business card is two inches on its short side, which is 5.08 centimetres. Stand one on that edge or lay it flat to mark the length.

The 2 by 3.5 inch card is the US standard, so its short edge is consistent. Because most people carry a card, it is a reliable close reference.

• Size: 5.08 cm (2 in) short side
• US standard card
• A hair over 5 cm

3

A hockey puck is exactly one inch thick, so two stacked give 5.08 centimetres. The fixed thickness makes the pair accurate to the millimetre.

Because every puck is identical, stacking builds an exact reference from a known part. Reach for pucks when five centimetres has to be spot on.

• Size: 5.08 cm (2 in) stacked
• Each puck is 1 in thick
• Set by the NHL rules

4

A standard domino is about five centimetres long. The flat, rigid tile is easy to line up or trace when you mark a length.

The same tile is about half as wide, near 2.5 centimetres, so it brackets both sizes. Jumbo sets run larger, so measure yours against a battery first.

5

A standard safety match is close to five centimetres long. Kitchen matches are longer, so picture the small matchbook size.

Pocket book matches cluster near five centimetres, while long fireplace matches run far longer. Snap or mark one for a quick, throwaway five centimetre gauge.

6

For many adults the whole thumb, from knuckle to tip, is about five centimetres. Measure yours against a business card once and you will know your personal figure.

Thumb length varies from person to person, so it is a rough gauge rather than an exact one. Save the thumb for quick estimates rather than exact work.

7

Three adult fingers held together are often about five and a half centimetres across. It is a handy body ruler when nothing else is nearby.

Finger width differs from person to person, so check yours once against a battery. It is useful when both hands are busy and no object is to hand.

8

A typical house key is around five and a half centimetres long, a touch over five. Keys vary by brand and lock, so treat it as a close guide.

Most home keys cluster near this length, though car and padlock keys differ. It is always in a pocket or a bag, which makes it handy.

9

A US quarter is about 2.43 centimetres across, so two side by side reach close to five centimetres. Coins have fixed sizes, so the pair is dependable.

Because the quarter size is set by the US Mint, two together are a repeatable near five centimetre mark. Nudge them so the edges touch and picture the span.

• Size: about 4.9 cm (two quarters)
• Each quarter is 2.43 cm
• Fixed by the US Mint

10

A AAA battery is 4.45 centimetres long, a little under five. It turns up in remotes and small gadgets.

Like the AA, the AAA size is set by standard, so it is consistent. Add half a centimetre in your head to reach a full five centimetres.

• Size: 4.45 cm (44.5 mm)
• Set by battery standards
• Just under 5 cm

11

A still-wine cork runs about 4.5 centimetres long, just under five. Because it is soft, a cork grips a curved surface where a card slides.

The cork is compressed into the neck, so lengths vary a little by producer. Champagne corks are larger, so pick a plain wine cork.

12

A regulation golf ball is at least 4.27 centimetres across, a little under five. Its size is set by the rules, so it barely changes.

The rules fix a minimum diameter of 42.67 millimetres, which is why balls cluster right at that size. The round shape gives a three dimensional feel for near five centimetres.

• Size: 4.27 cm (42.7 mm)
• USGA minimum diameter
• A little under 5 cm

13

A table tennis ball is 4 centimetres across, a centimetre under five. Its size is fixed by the sport.

The 40 millimetre ball has been the standard since the early 2000s, up from an older 38 millimetre ball. If an object beats a ping-pong ball but stays under a battery, it is near five centimetres.

• Size: 4 cm (40 mm)
• Set by the ITTF
• 1 cm under 5 cm

14

A standard Rubik's cube is 5.7 centimetres along each edge, a little over five. The size is consistent across the classic model.

The classic three by three cube has kept this size for decades, while mini and giant versions differ. Picture a cube and trim a bit to reach five centimetres.

15

A regulation racquetball is 5.7 centimetres across, just over five. Its size is set by the sport, so it is consistent.

The ball is built to bounce fast off hard walls, which fixes its size and weight by rule. It is a good round reference for a touch over five centimetres.

16

A classic pink block eraser is about six centimetres long, a little over five. Brands differ, so use it as a close guide.

The rubber block is sized to sit comfortably between two fingers, which lands it near six centimetres. It is a common desk object for a quick near five centimetre check.

17

A jumbo paperclip is about five centimetres long, roughly twice a small clip. It sits on many desks, so it is an easy reference.

The jumbo is the larger of the two common clip sizes, while the small clip is nearer 2.5 centimetres. Straightened out the wire is far longer, so judge the clip as it sits.

18

A standard matchbox is about five centimetres along its long side. Boxes vary a little by brand, so treat it as a close guide.

Pocket matchboxes are sized to hold short matches, which fixes the box near five centimetres long. It is a common household object for a quick five centimetre check.