How Big Is 55 Inches: A World of 55-Inch Common Items

The easiest way to see how big is a specific object is to put it next to other familiar items of the same size. Therefore, when you want to get a rough idea of how big is 55 inches, you need to refer to the common 55-inch items around you.

So, what is the world of 55-inch common items around us? A 55-inch TV screen, full-size bed, garden shovel, and step ladder are some common household items measuring approximately 55 inches. Other examples include a baby crib, pool table, cue stick, park bench, and cable cord. 

Let’s dive into the world of common 55-inch items and find out how this size compares to other measurement units.

How Big Is 55 Inches: Comparison of Different Measuring Units

Although the imperial unit ‘inches’ is popular in the US, in other areas, including Canada and Europe, metric units are more common. So, let’s convert 55 inches into other popular measuring units. 55 inches is equivalent to:

• 4 feet 7 inches or 4.58 feet
• 1.397 meters
• 139.7 centimeters
• 1397 millimeters
• 1.52 yards
• 13.75 hands

13 Common Items Measuring 55 Inches

In general, 55 inches can be the length, width, or even height of the largest items in a typical household. Here’s a list of 13 common items that measure precisely or approximately 55 inches:

1. 55-Inch TV Screen (Diagonally)

The ideal 55-inch reference object sits in your living room. Among large-screen televisions, 55-inch is the most popular size. Almost all popular brands, like Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, etc., have a 55-inch screen option available.

Now the question is, what part of the screen measures 55 inches? In the case of a TV screen, you need to measure the TV screen length diagonally. Meaning, it measures 55 inches from one corner to another across the screen.

2. Olympic Recurve Bow (Length)

Recurve, Horesebow, and Longbow are the most popular types of bows available. Among these, recurve bows are the most common ones used in the Olympics. Typically, the length of recurve bows ranges from 48 to 72 inches. 

While not exactly 55 inches, you can use a standard 54-inch recurve bow for a rough estimation. To get the bow’s overall length, measure from the tip of one limb to the tip of the other limb.

3. ATM Machine (Height)

Oddly enough, there are no official national standards for ATM dimensions in the USA. However, manufacturers typically follow ergonomic guidelines and accessibility regulations to make machines usable for all users. 

Hence, most ATMs in the USA are 54 to 57 inches tall. Based on the manufacturer and customization level, the height can vary. Yet, the most common ATMs you’ll see have an average height of 55 inches. 

4. Full-Size Mattress (Width)

Also known as double beds, full-size beds are common in smaller bedrooms. They are 75 inches long and 54 inches wide. So, when you measure the mattress from one side of the headboard to the other, you get just about 55 inches.

While there are other mattress sizes ranging from 38″ to 72″ wide, no other sizes come close to the 55-inch mark. Also, keep in mind that mattresses often shrink after a few years of use.

5. Standard Baby Cribs (Length)

As there are not many size variations, a baby crib is the ideal object for measuring 55 inches. According to the ASTM and US Federal Law, baby cribs must be at least 52.375 inches long and 28 inches wide. 

As these measurements don’t include the thickness of the crib material, you have to consider the dimensions. 

So, with a standard baby crib, you have an ideal reference object that’s only a few inches shorter than 55 inches. Note that crib mattresses are just a bit smaller than these standard dimensions.

6. Standing Lamp (Height)

Another common item in a typical living room is a floor or standing lamp that’s about 55 inches tall. Depending on the living room size, the height of a standing lamp can vary within the range of 56 to 64 inches. 

Of course, there are smaller lamps that are 46 to 55 inches, but these are less common. The height of standard floor lamps is based on the average sitting height of an adult. 

Hence, no matter which style of standing lamp you have, it can be just a few inches taller than 55 inches.

7. A Broom (Height)

Even in the age of vacuum cleaners, sweeping brooms are available in almost every household or garden shed. These handy tools come with a large handle and a brush at the bottom. 

If you have a large broom like that, it’s 52 to 57 inches in height. Therefore, a broom with its brush and handle can be used to visualize how big 55 inches is. 

Nowadays, smaller extendable brooms are also common as they take up less space. However, when you extend the broom handle, the height will be around 55 inches.

8. 9-Foot Pool Table (Width)

The standard or regulation pool tables come in 3 different sizes: 7-foot, 8-foot, and 9-foot. While the most popular size for a home pool table is 8 feet, tournament pool tables found in most commercial spaces are 9 feet. Here, the dimension refers to the length of the pool table.

As a general rule, the width of the table is half of its length. Therefore, a 9-foot standard pool table is 4.5 feet or 54 inches wide, making it a perfect item to estimate 55 inches.

9. Pool Cue (Length)

Apart from the pool table, a cue stick can also be used for a 55-inch measurement. For most pool tables, the length of the cue stick ranges from 56 to 59 inches. The exact length of the cue stick depends on the size of the pool table. 

To get the closest to 55 inches, you need to pick a 56- or 57-inch stick that’s typically used for a 7-foot or 8-foot pool table. As for the cue stick style, always go with a one-piece stick as the two- or three-piece ones are usually larger than 58 inches.

10. Large Shovel with Handle (Height)

A staple in any garden shed, measuring a shovel is a quick way to reference 55 inches. In general, garden shovels have two parts: a blade and a long handle. While the handle has a standard height of 48 inches, the length of the blade can vary. 

For most shovels, the blade is 4 to 11 inches tall, with 9 inches being the average length. Together with the blade and its handle, you get approximately 55 inches. 

11. 55-Inch Power Supply Cable Cord (Length)

To connect the electric devices and appliances of your house, you’ll need a power supply cord. While cords can be longer or smaller depending on your needs, 55 inches is the ideal length used to cover large distances. 

If you want precise measurement, lay the cord flat and take the distance from the tip of the metal connector to the plastic connector that goes into the device to get a 55-inch length. 

12. Park Bench (Length)

From parks to gardens to transportation terminals, benches are found in numerous outdoor settings. Although there are no standard sizes, most outdoor benches are 42 to 60 inches long. 

These benches can seat 2 to 4 people, depending on their size. A park bench that accommodates 3 people will have a length of approximately 55 inches. 

Outdoor benches often have several parts, including the seating area, armrest, headrest, etc. Here, you only need to measure the seating area of the bench to get close to a 55-inch measurement.

13. Step Ladder (Height)

From 48 to 240 inches, the height of a step ladder widely varies depending on its use. However, residential ladders made to reach shorter distances are no longer than 60 inches. 

Thus, when measured from the feet to the top cap across the rail, the step ladder in your shed can be around 55 inches tall.

Parting Thoughts

From your mattress to a pool cue, there are many items around you to get an idea of how big is 55 inches. While it’s tough to find objects that are exactly 55 inches, you can go with a few inches shorter or larger items for a rough estimation.

A 55-inch TV screen or a power cord is ideal for precise measurement. You can use any items on our list to visualize what a 55-inch looks like and estimate how big or wide it is.