Four inches might not seem like much, but this measurement appears everywhere in everyday life. From work tools to household items, many common objects measure exactly 4 inches in length.
Understanding this measurement helps you visualize dimensions without a ruler. This guide explores thirteen ordinary items that demonstrate the 4-inch length, giving you perfect real-world references.
For context, 4 inches is exactly twice the length of 2-inch objects like quarters, yet shorter than 7-inch items like pencils.
How Long is 4 Inches?
4 inches equals exactly 10.16 centimeters or 0.33 feet. To visualize this, it’s roughly the width of your palm or the length of your index finger from knuckle to tip.
This measurement appears frequently because it’s practical for handheld objects. For quick reference, place your index finger next to your middle finger – the combined width equals approximately 4 inches for most adults.
Four inches also represents the height of a standard sticky note and the length of many smartphone screens. This familiar measurement makes it easy to estimate other dimensions.
13 Common Things That Are 4 Inches Long
13 Common Things That Are 4 Inches Long
1. iPhone SE Screen Length
The iPhone SE measures exactly 4 inches diagonally across its screen. Apple designed this compact smartphone for users who prefer smaller devices while maintaining full functionality.
The 4-inch screen follows Apple’s technical specifications with 1136 x 640 pixel resolution. This dimension became a reference point for compact smartphone design across the industry.
The screen size balances usability with portability, allowing one-handed operation while providing adequate display area for apps and content.
2. Standard Golf Tees
Regulation golf tees measure 2.75 inches in length, but longer tees designed for driver shots measure exactly 4 inches. These extended tees accommodate larger driver heads and provide optimal ball positioning.
The USGA specifications allow tees up to 4 inches in length for tournament play. Professional golfers often use these maximum-length tees for tee shots on par-4 and par-5 holes.
Made from hardwood or plastic, 4-inch tees provide stability while elevating the ball to the ideal striking height for modern driver technology.
3. Standard Post-it Notes
Classic 3M Post-it Notes measure 3 inches square, but the larger format measures exactly 4 inches by 4 inches. These sticky notes provide expanded writing space while maintaining portability.
The 4-inch format follows 3M’s specifications for office and professional use. The larger size accommodates detailed notes, sketches, and reminders without becoming unwieldy.
These notes use repositionable adhesive that won’t damage surfaces, making them perfect for temporary marking and organization tasks.
4. Credit Card Length
Standard credit cards measure 3.375 inches in length according to ISO/IEC 7810 specifications. While slightly shorter than 4 inches, they provide a close reference point most people carry daily.
The ISO standard ensures global compatibility with payment terminals, ATMs, and card readers. Banks worldwide follow these precise dimensions for all payment cards.
When measuring quickly, credit cards offer a reliable near-4-inch reference that’s always available in your wallet.
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5. Standard Tea Light Diameter
Tea light candles measure approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, creating a circumference of 4.7 inches. While circumference exceeds 4 inches, the diameter provides a useful comparison point.
These small candles follow industry standards for tea light holders and warmers. Candle manufacturers maintain consistent sizing for universal compatibility.
Tea lights burn for 3-4 hours, providing ambient lighting in homes and restaurants worldwide. Their standardized size ensures they fit properly in decorative holders.
6. Hockey Puck Diameter
Official NHL hockey pucks measure exactly 3 inches in diameter according to Rule 13.1 of the NHL rulebook. While slightly smaller than 4 inches, they provide a familiar sports reference.
Made from vulcanized rubber, pucks weigh 5.5-6 ounces with precise manufacturing tolerances. The 3-inch diameter creates predictable bouncing and sliding characteristics on ice.
Professional leagues worldwide follow these specifications, making hockey pucks reliable measurement references for sports fans.
7. Large Chicken Eggs (Length)
Large chicken eggs measure approximately 4 inches in circumference around their widest point. According to USDA standards, large eggs weigh 2 ounces minimum.
Egg sizing follows strict grading standards used by commercial producers. The 4-inch circumference measurement provides a natural reference most households recognize.
These protein-rich ovals appear in kitchens worldwide, making them familiar objects for size comparison in cooking and baking.
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8. C Battery Circumference
Standard C batteries measure 1.97 inches in length with a 1-inch diameter, creating a circumference of approximately 3.14 inches. While slightly under 4 inches, they provide a common household reference.
These batteries follow ANSI standards for size and voltage output. The cylindrical shape allows easy measurement of circumference for comparison purposes.
C batteries power flashlights, radios, and toys, making them familiar objects in many homes despite being less common than AA or AAA sizes.
9. Apple Diameter
Medium apples measure 3-4 inches in diameter depending on variety. Popular varieties like Gala, Fuji, and Red Delicious typically reach the 4-inch range when fully grown.
Apple sizing varies by cultivation practices and growing conditions. Commercial growers sort apples by diameter for consistent packaging and pricing.
This common fruit provides a natural, recognizable reference for the 4-inch measurement that appears in lunch boxes and fruit bowls worldwide.
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10. Deck of Cards Width
A standard deck of 52 playing cards measures 2.5 inches wide when held together. With card boxes and protective sleeves, the total width approaches 4 inches.
Playing cards follow established dimensions of 3.5 x 2.5 inches for poker-size cards. This standardization ensures compatibility with card games and equipment worldwide.
The familiar deck provides a reference most people have handled during card games, making it useful for quick measurements.
11. Golf Ball Circumference
Official golf balls measure 1.68 inches in diameter, creating a circumference of 5.28 inches. While exceeding 4 inches, the diameter provides a useful smaller reference point.
The R&A and USGA specifications mandate minimum diameter requirements for tournament play. Manufacturing tolerances ensure consistent performance across all approved golf balls.
These white dimpled spheres appear on courses worldwide, making them recognizable references for golfers and non-golfers alike.
12. Standard Cookies
Commercial cookies like Oreos measure approximately 1.75 inches in diameter. Larger bakery cookies often reach 3-4 inches across, depending on the recipe and intended serving size.
Cookie manufacturers maintain consistent sizing for packaging efficiency and portion control. Home bakers use 4-inch cookie cutters for uniform results.
The familiar round shape provides an edible reference for measurement that most people encounter regularly.
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13. Table Tennis Ball Circumference
Official table tennis balls measure exactly 40mm (1.57 inches) in diameter according to ITTF regulations. This creates a circumference of approximately 4.9 inches.
The lightweight plastic balls must meet strict bounce and roundness specifications for competitive play. International tournaments use balls that precisely follow these dimensional requirements.
Table tennis balls appear in recreation centers and homes worldwide, providing a sports-related reference for measurement comparisons.
Quick Reference Table
| Object | Measurement | Type |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE | 4 inches | Screen diagonal |
| Golf Tees (Driver) | 4 inches | Length |
| Large Post-it Notes | 4 x 4 inches | Square format |
| Credit Cards | 3.375 inches | Length (close reference) |
| Tea Lights | 1.5 inches | Diameter |
| Hockey Pucks | 3 inches | Diameter |
| Large Eggs | ~4 inches | Circumference |
| C Batteries | ~3.14 inches | Circumference |
| Medium Apples | 3-4 inches | Diameter |
| Card Decks | ~2.5 inches | Width (with case ~4″) |
| Golf Balls | 1.68 inches | Diameter |
| Bakery Cookies | 3-4 inches | Diameter |
| Ping Pong Balls | 1.57 inches | Diameter |
Measurement Tips
Use your hand as a quick reference: the width of four fingers together approximates 4 inches for most adults. Your smartphone screen also provides a convenient comparison tool when you need to estimate this length.
Keep common 4-inch objects in mind for quick measurements. Post-it Notes, golf tees, and smartphone screens offer reliable references you can visualize without tools.
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Conclusion
Four inches appears more frequently in daily life than most people realize. From technology devices to sports equipment, this measurement represents a practical size for handheld objects and tools.
Understanding these common 4-inch references improves your ability to estimate measurements quickly and accurately. Whether you’re shopping, crafting, or organizing, these familiar objects provide reliable visual guides for the 4-inch length.