Wondering how long 20 inches really is? It equals 50.8 centimeters, or 1 foot 8 inches, and plenty of everyday objects match this size. This guide covers 12 common things that are 20 inches long in kitchens, homes, offices, travel gear, kids’ items and garages.
Quick Conversion: How Long Is 20 Inches?
| Unit | Equivalent to 20 Inches |
|---|---|
| Inches | 20 in |
| Feet | 1.67 ft (1 ft 8 in) |
| Yards | 0.56 yd |
| Centimeters | 50.8 cm |
| Millimeters | 508 mm |
| Meters | 0.508 m |
Quick tip: Multiply inches by 2.54 to get centimeters, or divide by 12 to get feet.
Quick Reference List of Things That Are 20 Inches Long
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Large cutting board, French rolling pin |
| Home & Bedroom | Standard pillow, 20-inch box fan |
| Technology & Travel | 20-inch computer monitor, 20-inch carry-on suitcase |
| Personal Items | 20-inch necklace chain, 20-inch hair extensions |
| Baby & Kids | Average newborn baby, 20-inch kids’ bike wheel |
| Garage & Garden | 20-inch plastic toolbox, 20-inch push lawn mower deck |
Kitchen Items That Are 20 Inches Long
Your kitchen counter is a great place to spot things that are 20 inches long.
Large Cutting Board
A large wooden cutting board, like the John Boos maple cutting board, is commonly sold in a 20 x 15 inch size. That puts the long edge of the cutting board at 20 inches.
Lay a large cutting board across your counter and you see how long 20 inches is at a glance. The cutting board spans about one and a half standard rulers.
French Rolling Pin
Many French rolling pins, which are slim and tapered with no handles, measure close to 20 inches long. Lengths differ by maker, so check the label on your French rolling pin.
A French rolling pin is a handy tool for picturing 20 inches in cm, which is about 51 centimeters. Hold the French rolling pin at both ends and you are gripping roughly a foot and a half of wood.
Home and Bedroom Items That Are 20 Inches Long
Soft goods and cooling gear around the house often land on this length too.
Standard Pillow
A standard US pillow measures 20 x 26 inches, so the short side of a standard pillow is exactly 20 inches. Standard pillows fit standard pillowcases of the same size.
Stand a standard pillow on its short edge and you see how tall 20 inches looks. That is about as high as a kitchen chair’s seat is off the floor plus a few inches.
20-Inch Box Fan
The Lasko 20-inch box fan is a popular summer pick, and its blades and frame are about 20 inches across. Most box fans of this size are square, so the width and height match.
A 20-inch box fan usually fits inside a standard double-hung window. Measure your window opening first, since a 20-inch box fan needs a little extra room for the frame.
Technology and Travel Items That Are 20 Inches Long
Screens and luggage are sold by size, which makes 20 inches long easy to spot.
20-Inch Computer Monitor
A 20-inch computer monitor is measured on the diagonal, from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner. The 20-inch computer monitor is not 20 inches wide.
On a 16:9 display, a 20-inch computer monitor is about 17.4 inches wide and 9.8 inches tall. Keep that in mind before buying a desk or stand for the 20-inch computer monitor.
20-Inch Carry-On Suitcase
The Samsonite Winfield 2 20-inch hardside spinner is a well-known carry-on that stands about 20 inches tall. Wheels and handles may add a little more height.
Many US airlines allow carry-ons up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches, so a 20-inch Samsonite Winfield 2 usually fits. Always check your airline’s rules before packing the Samsonite Winfield 2.
Personal Items That Are 20 Inches Long
Jewelry and hair products often use 20 inches as a standard size.
20-Inch Necklace Chain
A 20-inch necklace chain is called a “matinee” length in jewelry terms. Matinee chains run from 20 to 24 inches, so a 20-inch necklace chain sits at the short end.
On most adults, a 20-inch necklace chain falls below the collarbone, near the upper chest. A 20-inch necklace chain is longer than a 16-inch choker by 4 inches.
20-Inch Hair Extensions
A set of 20-inch hair extensions measures 20 inches from the clip or weft to the tip. Many brands sell clip-in sets in this length.
On many people, 20-inch hair extensions reach the mid-back. Height changes the look, so 20-inch hair extensions may fall lower on a petite person.
Baby and Kids Items That Are 20 Inches Long
Kids’ gear offers a friendly way to picture 20 inches long.
Average Newborn Baby
An average newborn baby measures about 20 inches long, based on common pediatric growth charts. Healthy newborn babies range from roughly 19 to 21 inches.
Picture an average newborn baby lying next to a standard pillow’s short side. The average newborn baby is nearly the same length, about 1 foot 8 inches.
20-Inch Kids’ Bike Wheel
The Schwinn 20-inch kids’ bike is named for its wheel size, because each wheel is nominally 20 inches across. Bikes like the Schwinn 20-inch kids’ bike are often chosen for riders around 6 to 9 years old.
Roll one wheel of the Schwinn 20-inch kids’ bike on the floor and it covers about 5 feet per turn. That comes from the wheel’s circumference, which is roughly 3.14 times 20 inches.
Garage and Garden Items That Are 20 Inches Long
Home improvement gear is another easy place to find this measurement.
20-Inch Plastic Toolbox
A 20-inch plastic toolbox is a common size for home use. The 20-inch plastic toolbox holds a hammer, pliers, screwdrivers and a tape measure with room to spare.
A 20-inch plastic toolbox fits easily in most car trunks and truck beds. Its 50.8 cm length also lets the 20-inch plastic toolbox slide under many workbenches.
20-Inch Push Lawn Mower Deck
The Greenworks 20-inch push lawn mower has a cutting deck that is 20 inches wide. That is the width of grass the Greenworks 20-inch push lawn mower trims in one pass.
A 20-inch deck suits small to medium yards. The Greenworks 20-inch push lawn mower is also lighter and easier to store than wider models.
FAQs About 20 Inches Long
How long is 20 inches in feet?
20 inches is about 1.67 feet, which is 1 foot 8 inches. Divide 20 by 12 to get this answer.
How many centimeters is 20 inches?
20 inches equals exactly 50.8 centimeters. Multiply 20 by 2.54, the exact inch-to-centimeter factor.
Is 20 inches longer than a ruler?
Yes, 20 inches is longer than a standard ruler. A typical school ruler is 12 inches, so 20 inches is 8 inches longer.
How can I measure 20 inches without a ruler?
Use the short side of a standard pillow, which is 20 inches. A 20-inch carry-on suitcase also works as a rough guide.
Is 20 inches bigger than 50 cm?
Yes, but only slightly. 20 inches equals 50.8 cm, so it is just 0.8 cm longer than 50 cm.
Conclusion
Now you know that 20 inches is 50.8 cm, or 1 foot 8 inches. The 12 things that are 20 inches long above give you easy visual guides. Use them next time you need to estimate this length without a tape measure.
Hi, I’m James Miller. I share simple, practical guides on learning, freelancing, and earning online — to help you make smarter choices and live better.
