How Big Is 9 Inches: Objects You Didn’t Know Were 9 Inches

Nine inches is a measurement we frequently reference in everyday conversations. But to some, it may seem like an abstract concept unless you put it into context with tangible items. 

So, how big is 9 inches? Nine inches roughly rounds up to almost a foot. But perhaps the most practical way is to visualize the average adult’s hand size. Often, a fully extended hand spans 9 inches from the tip of the middle finger to the wrist.

To truly grasp the scale of 9 inches, I’ll examine common items that fall within this measurement. This should give you a sense of scale of just how large or small this measurement really is.

How Big is 9 Inches: 23 Objects You Didn’t Know Were 9 Inches

Now, let’s read this section where I am talking about 23 everyday objects that are close to 9 inches. Let’s check them out.

1. Average Adult Hand Span

I’ll start by putting nine inches in the context of the human body. The average adult hand spans nine inches from the tip of the middle finger to the wrist. Another comparison is the forearm, from wrist to elbow. A 9-inch span is close to the length of the average female forearm.

2. Standard Printing Paper

Common items also align around the 9-inch mark in the office supply area. A frequent real-world encounter comes from paper goods. A standard printing paper measures 8.5 x 11 inches. So, nine inches spans the entire width of a printer paper with just a bit of overhang.

3. Dinner Plate

Let me shift your perspective to a common kitchen item – lunch plates. They’re typically 9 inches, the Goldilocks size for most American dining.

Note that I’m talking about the diameter of the plate since they’re usually round. Visualize the span between the outer edge. Most dinner plates also hover around 9 inches.

4. Three Stacked ID Cards End-to-End

Carrying ID cards and credit cards is part of everyday life for many Americans. These bite-sized documents measure 3.375 x 2.125 inches. So, arranging three cards lengthwise in a row collectively equates to a little over 9 inches. You can also use your driver’s license card – it’s the same size.

5. Pie Pan

A pie pan is a favorite for baking pies in home kitchens across the US. Whether it’s an apple pie for the neighborhood block party or a pecan pie for Thanksgiving, you rarely miss it. Regardless, it’ll surprise you to know that the standard pie pan measures 9 inches wide.

6. Loaf Pan

A loaf is a centerpiece for lunch sandwiches and dinner rolls in average American homes. So, it’s hard to miss a loaf pan for baking homemade bread. The interior cavity of a standard loaf pan typically spans 9 inches long. 

7. 18 Stacked-Up Bread Slices

This reference is for pre-sliced bread you find in stores and supermarkets. Each slice averages about half an inch thick. So, eighteen slices stacked atop one another would accumulate to a total height of nine inches.

Also, 18 slices is the industry standard for a sandwich loaf. So, a full packet extends almost 9 inches.

8. Two Adjacent Slices of Bread

A standard single slice of pre-cut bread is square-shaped, roughly 4.5 by 4.5 inches. So, two slices side by side should give you a combined length of around 9 inches.

9. Regular Size Letter Envelope

Mail is still prominent in the US. Basically, we use the #10 business envelopes for mailing letters and documents. This envelope extends 9.5 inches lengthwise, neatly rounding close to 9 inches.

10. Two Hamburger Patty Makers

Hamburgers are popular at backyard barbecues and summer cookouts. It’s what you use to shape ground beef into uniform patties. Each patty is 4.5 inches across. Putting two patties side by side gives a combined diameter of 9 inches.

11. Two Stacked-Up Toilet Paper Rolls

Toilet paper is, of course, a necessity in any American home. Typically, the regular perforated roll is pre-sized at 4.5 inches tall. So, two rolls atop each other stand 9 inches in height.

12. A Quarter Yardstick

A yardstick is 36 inches. Thus, a quarter of the full span is exactly 9 inches. Also, yard measurement is common in craft and sewing projects. A quarter yard of fabric is nine inches if you pull it taut without slacking or stretching.

13. Standard Ruler 

Rulers are helpful tools we normally have in our desk drawers. The standard length is 12 inches or 30 centimeters.

Looking at your ruler, you’ll notice two sides with two different markings. One side has 0 to 12 markings. These are inch measurements. Therefore, to get an idea of 9 inches, visualize the span between the “3” mark and the “12” mark. 

14. A quarter Exterior Door Width

A typical exterior single-leaf door is 36 inches wide. In fact, most American homes have doors this standard size. So, running a quarter of the door’s full width will give you a sense of 9 inches.

15. 5.5 Men’s Shoe Size

Shoes are essential clothing items. For this, I’ll reference two shoe sizes, 5.5 for men and 6.5 for women. Both shoe sizes span 9 inches from toe to back heel.

16. Two Popsicle Sticks Placed End to End 

Popsicle sticks are a classic snack and craft material. These wooden sticks have a standardized length of 4.5 inches. So, placing two sticks end to end offers a combined length of 9 inches.

17. Two Stacked-Up Beer Pong Cups

Beer pong is a popular drinking game in college gatherings and backyard bashes. Red party cups or beer pong cups are a staple in this game. A lone cup is 4.5 inches. Therefore, two cups will stand 9 inches tall together.

18. Width of Three Smartphones

Let me shift focus to something we all have access to – smartphones. The average smartphone screen is around 3 inches wide. I’m talking about the width – not the height or the diagonal length. 

So, three smartphones side by side is right around 9 inches. It’s even more accurate if you have an iPhone 11, as it’s precisely 3 inches wide. 

19. Diameter of Three Soup Cans

Canned goods are packaged in consistent industrial specifications. One example is the soup can, which measures 3.25 inches wide. If you line up three cans directly next to each other, they’ll span a total of 9 inches.

20. 9 Paper Clips 

Paper clips are staples in offices throughout the US. Each clip has a standard size of 1 inch. So, if you place nine paper clips end to end in a row, you’ll have a length of 9 inches.

21. 9 Stacked-Up Ice Hockey Pucks

Sports equipment like hockey pucks are a familiar sight in recreation rooms. Ice hockey pucks, in particular, are designed to an industry-standard 1-inch height. Stack up nine of these discs, and you have a height of 9 inches.

22. Diameter of Three Hockey Pucks

Another way to look at hockey pucks is by the diameter. Each regulation-size hockey puck is 3 inches wide. Three hockey pucks adjacent to each other equate to 9 inches across.

23. 9 One-Dollar Coins Side-by-Side

Most Americans rely more on paper money and credit cards. Nonetheless, coins remain part of daily life in the US. A dollar-coin diameter is 1.043 inches, just over 1 inch. So, if you place nine coins edge-to-edge in a row, they’ll collectively span 9 inches.

Conclusion

I hope I’ve provided a clear sense of scale as to how big is 9 inches. As this list demonstrates, 9 inches is a tangible measurement we routinely encounter without realizing its numeric value.

From human hands to standard paper clips, mobile screens, regular-size letter envelopes, Pie plates, etc. are all the common items around you that you didn’t know were 9 inches. Read the article above and make a comparison with these common objects to know how big 9 inches is.