How Long Is 20 Inches Compared To An Object? (With 36 Examples)

Items that are 20 inches in size

Sports

Miniature Tennis Racquet

A miniature tennis racquet often measures exactly 20 inches in length. These scaled-down versions of the standard racquet are designed for display purposes or as collector’s items rather than actual play. The size makes them perfect for autographs and memorabilia. The 20-inch racquet retains the look and feel of a full-sized racquet, with a properly strung net and a sturdy frame, which can be made from the same materials as a playable racquet, such as graphite or aluminum. It’s a fantastic way for fans to celebrate their love for the game, showcasing intricate details of the strings and grip, all packed into a compact, display-friendly size.

Youth Baseball Bat

Youth baseball bats often come in a variety of sizes, and a 20-inch bat is particularly suitable for younger players who are just starting to learn the game. At this size, the bat is manageable for small hands and light enough to swing easily, promoting good form and technique. These bats are generally constructed from aluminum or composite materials to ensure they are light but durable. The 20-inch length is ideal for helping young players hit a tee ball or a soft pitch without the weight and size of an adult bat getting in the way of their learning curve.

Bowling Pin

The official size of a regulation bowling pin stands just under 20 inches tall, but when considering the slight curvature at the top, it hits right about 20 inches. These pins are constructed to precise specifications in terms of width, weight, and height to ensure uniformity in the sport. The pin’s design is iconic, with a slender neck that widens toward the base for stability. The hard maple wood, coated with a plastic material, gives the pins their characteristic durability and the glossy finish makes them highly visible at the end of a bowling lane.

Field Hockey Stick for Juniors

Junior field hockey sticks are carefully sized to match the height and strength of young players, and a 20-inch stick is often the perfect fit for beginners. It’s essential that the stick aligns with the athlete’s hip bone for proper posture and technique, which is why this particular size is pivotal in the sport for youngsters. These sticks usually consist of wood or fiberglass, offering a lightweight feel that aids in controlling the ball and mastering stickhandling skills. It’s the starting point for many children entering the sport, allowing for a comfortable introduction to the game’s basics.

Skateboard Deck

While skateboards vary in size, a mini skateboard deck can measure around 20 inches in length. These smaller boards, often referred to as mini-cruisers, are great for younger skaters or for those seeking a compact ride for city commuting. The decks are usually made of several layers of laminated maple wood, ensuring strength and flexibility. The size makes it incredibly portable and easy to manage, particularly for executing tight turns and carrying when not in use. Despite their small stature, these decks are built to withstand the wear and tear of skateboarding, making them a reliable and fun option.

Dartboard Diameter

The standard size of a dartboard has a diameter that’s close to 20 inches. While the playing area is slightly smaller, the overall size including the frame hits the 20-inch mark. These boards are used in professional competitions and casual play alike, offering a perfect surface for darts to land and stay put. Made from high-quality sisal fibers, these boards have the durability required for repeated play, and the 20-inch size makes them large enough to feature all the necessary scoring sections while being small enough to fit on a game room wall.

Office

Wide Computer Monitor

In the office, a 20-inch wide computer monitor is a common sight. It offers ample screen real estate for multitasking without taking up too much desk space. Such monitors typically have a widescreen aspect ratio, ideal for managing multiple open windows or long spreadsheets. A 20-inch monitor strikes a balance between a compact size that fits smaller desks and sufficient screen space for productive work. This size monitor is also light enough for easy adjustment and movement around the office, making it a versatile option for both stationary and dynamic work environments.

Standard Office Desk Mat

A desk mat serves as a multipurpose accessory in an office setting. At 20 inches, it provides a protective and smooth surface for writing, which can prevent marks on the desk and reduce writing fatigue. The 20-inch size is significant enough to accommodate a keyboard and a mouse, or a laptop, with extra room to maneuver. Desk mats often come with a textured bottom to prevent slipping, ensuring they stay firmly in place during use.

Magnetic Whiteboard

Offices commonly use a 20-inch magnetic whiteboard for quick note-taking, displaying important reminders, or organizing tasks. The magnetic aspect allows for attaching notes or documents directly to the board with magnets, while the whiteboard surface offers a reusable space for writing with dry-erase markers. The 20-inch size is large enough for visibility yet compact enough to fit in most cubicles or on office walls beside a desk.

Office Chair Back Support Cushion

Many office workers rely on an ergonomic back support cushion to enhance comfort and posture throughout the workday. A 20-inch cushion can span the width of a standard office chair, providing full lower back support. This size is ideal to promote a natural spine alignment and reduce strain caused by prolonged sitting. A good quality cushion is typically made of memory foam that molds to the user’s back, offering personalized support.

Desktop Printer

A desktop printer that is around 20 inches in width fits comfortably on a standard office desk and is large enough to handle various document sizes, from letters to legal. This size printer is compact yet functional, equipped to serve the everyday printing needs of a busy professional. With wireless connectivity, it can serve multiple employees without the clutter of excess cables.

Rolling File Cart

The rolling file cart is a staple in many offices, particularly those with a need for movable document storage. A 20-inch cart is large enough to accommodate standard-sized files and folders, making it an efficient space saver. Its mobility is a key feature, allowing documents to be transported between office areas with ease.

School

Classroom Ruler Set

Classroom rulers often come in sets with varying lengths. A set that includes a 20-inch ruler is not the standard but can be a practical tool for larger projects. These rulers are typically made of durable wood or plastic and feature both metric and imperial units. In a school setting, such a ruler would be invaluable during art and drafting classes where larger paper sizes are used. The 20-inch size allows for drawing longer straight lines without the need for repeatedly moving the ruler.

Poster Tubes

Poster tubes used by students to protect and carry their artwork and large-format papers often measure exactly 20 inches in length. These tubes are cylindrical containers, providing a sturdy shell made from hard plastic or cardboard. They are ideal for transporting posters or projects that need to remain crease-free. The 20-inch size is particularly useful as it can accommodate most posters used in school presentations or art classes.

Science Lab Stirring Rods

In a high school chemistry lab, stirring rods of 20 inches are common. These long rods are essential for mixing chemicals in deep vessels safely. They are usually made of glass to resist corrosion and facilitate cleaning. The 20-inch stirring rod is significant in experiments where distance from the reactive substances is necessary for safety reasons, ensuring that students can conduct their experiments without being too close to potential splashes.

Library Shelf Marker

Library shelf markers are tools used to help students place books back correctly on shelves. They are often exactly 20 inches long, which corresponds to the depth of standard library shelves. These markers can be colorful and made of durable materials like plastic. They help maintain the order of the library by allowing students to mark their spot on the shelf while browsing books, ensuring that they can replace books without misplacing them.

Art Class Drying Rack

In the art classroom, a drying rack measuring 20 inches wide is a common sight. These racks are critical for storing artwork safely while the pieces dry. They typically consist of several shelves with a mesh or grated surface to allow air to circulate around the art pieces. A 20-inch rack is large enough to hold standard-sized drawings and paintings, but not so large that it becomes unwieldy within the classroom space.

Document Camera Mat

Many modern classrooms are equipped with document cameras for displaying documents or homework. Underneath these cameras, you might find a mat that is exactly 20 inches wide, providing a clear indication of the viewing area to ensure that the material is fully visible when projected. These mats help students and teachers align documents and can be an integral part of interactive learning, where work is shared with the whole class.

Yard

Standard Office Desk Width

A common office desk often features a width that hovers around the 20-inch mark. This size ensures that there is ample space for a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse, while not taking up too much room in a small office. Desks of this width are often designed to be space-efficient, making them ideal for cubicles or home office spaces where room might be at a premium. They strike a balance between functionality and comfort, providing sufficient workspace without being overly bulky. The 20-inch width is also ergonomic, allowing for a comfortable reach across the desk to access documents or office supplies.

Carry-On Luggage Width

The typical hard-sided carry-on luggage is designed to be an easy fit in overhead bins on airplanes, and their width often comes in right around 20 inches. This dimension is key to the travel industry as it ensures compliance with the standard size restrictions imposed by most airlines. Luggage with a 20-inch width allows for efficient packing, enabling travelers to carry enough belongings for short trips while still being able to move through airports with ease. The size is a result of careful consideration to maximize volume while adhering to airline regulations for carry-on items.

Full-Size Headboards

Full-size bed headboards often measure 20 inches in height from the top of the mattress. This size provides a substantial backdrop to a bed without overwhelming the room. A 20-inch tall headboard is high enough to support pillows and add aesthetic appeal to a bedroom. It’s also a comfortable height for individuals to rest against when reading or watching TV in bed. Headboards of this height are usually part of a bed’s design for both function and style, contributing to the overall look and feel of bedroom furniture.

Tennis Racket Length

Standard adult tennis rackets typically have a length of 27 inches, but junior rackets often come in sizes that are exactly 20 inches long. These rackets are designed to be the right proportion for younger players, facilitating easier handling and better control over their swings. A 20-inch tennis racket allows for proper development of skills without the excess weight and size that can come with adult-sized equipment. It’s a size that’s specifically engineered to suit the physical capabilities of children learning the sport.

Guitar Neck Length

For many standard guitars, particularly those designed for students or travel, the neck can measure close to 20 inches. The length of the guitar neck, also known as the scale length, is vital to the instrument’s playability and tone. A 20-inch neck length is often seen on guitars intended for younger players or for those seeking a compact instrument for travel. It provides a shorter scale that makes it easier to form chords and requires less reach, making it particularly user-friendly for beginners or players with smaller hands.

Baby Gates Height

Baby gates are critical safety devices used to keep children away from potential hazards, and they often stand about 20 inches tall. This height is tall enough to deter most toddlers and small children from climbing over, ensuring the child’s safety and providing peace of mind to parents and caregivers. A 20-inch baby gate is also not so tall that it becomes an inconvenience for adults to step over. They are designed to be a practical addition to a home’s safety measures, blending the need for security with ease of use.

Nature

Certain Species of Bamboo

Bamboo grows remarkably fast, and some species can grow up to 20 inches in just one day under the right conditions. This fast growth rate makes bamboo a sustainable resource. It’s also strong and flexible, which is why it’s used in construction and making various products like furniture and utensils. The 20-inch segments of bamboo can be quite common in a mature stalk, depending on the species.

Large Sunflowers

Sunflower heads can reach around 20 inches in diameter when they bloom. These large, bright flowers are not only beautiful but also serve a purpose in nature. They track the sun across the sky in a motion known as heliotropism, which maximizes their energy intake before they mature and their heads become heavy with seeds.

Common Garter Snake

The common garter snake, when fully grown, can be about 20 inches long. These snakes are found throughout North America and play a vital role in the ecosystem as they control pest populations. Being non-venomous, they’re often garden-friendly and help maintain a natural balance.

American Kestrel

The American Kestrel, a small falcon species, has an average length of about 20 inches from head to tail. These birds of prey are not only vital for controlling rodent and insect populations but also serve as indicators of environmental health, as their population changes can reflect the state of the ecosystem.

Beaver Tail

A beaver’s tail can be around 20 inches long. The tail serves several functions, including aiding in swimming, balancing when they are standing upright, and regulating their body temperature. Beavers are ecosystem engineers, and their dam-building activities create wetlands, which are crucial for biodiversity.

Red-tailed Hawk Tail

The tail of a red-tailed hawk can measure up to 20 inches in length, depending on the individual bird’s size and age. These tails help with steering and braking during flight. Red-tailed hawks are essential to controlling rodent populations and are often seen perched high up scanning for prey.

Tools

Hand Saw

A 20-inch hand saw is a common tool in carpentry and woodworking. This size is optimal for providing control and efficiency in cutting through medium-sized wood pieces. The length allows for a good range of motion, giving the user the ability to make longer, smoother cuts without excessive effort. The blade is typically made from high-carbon steel, ensuring durability and a sharp edge that lasts. It’s ideal for those who need a reliable saw for general cutting tasks but don’t require the bulk and weight of a full-sized saw. Many 20-inch saws also feature an ergonomic handle, designed to reduce fatigue during use.

Level

Levels are indispensable tools for both DIY enthusiasts and professional builders. A 20-inch level is especially handy for ensuring smaller surfaces are perfectly horizontal or vertical. This size is large enough to span across studs while being compact enough for easy handling and storage. They often come with durable aluminum frames and multiple vials to measure different angles. A 20-inch level is great for hanging pictures, installing shelves, or even for smaller scale building projects where precision is key.

Adjustable Wrench

An adjustable wrench is a must-have in any toolbox, and a 20-inch version is a heavy-duty tool that can handle larger nuts and bolts with ease. The adjustable jaw allows it to work with a variety of bolt sizes, making it versatile. It’s often constructed from chromium-vanadium steel, offering strength and resistance to wear. The length of this wrench provides significant leverage, allowing the user to apply more torque without straining.

Pry Bar

A 20-inch pry bar is a powerful tool for demolition and construction work. The length provides excellent leverage, which is essential when prying open crates, lifting heavy objects, or removing nails. They are typically made from forged steel, ensuring that they can withstand significant force without bending or breaking. The tool might also feature a claw end for pulling nails and a flattened end that can be easily wedged into tight spaces.

Bolt Cutters

Bolt cutters are designed to cut through metal chains, padlocks, and bolts. A 20-inch bolt cutter is a good mid-size tool that offers more cutting power than smaller versions but is more manageable than larger ones. It strikes a balance between portability and strength. They are usually equipped with compound hinges to maximize leverage and cutting force. The handles are often covered with rubber grips to provide comfort and reduce slip during use.

Pipe Wrench

A 20-inch pipe wrench is the go-to tool for gripping and turning pipes. Its serrated jaws provide a firm grip on rounded surfaces, making it an essential tool for plumbers. The size is large enough to provide leverage on stubborn pipes but not so large that it becomes unwieldy. Most 20-inch pipe wrenches have a cast iron body, making them extremely tough and durable for heavy-duty work.