Ever clicked “add to cart” on a 20-inch item and then panicked wondering if it’ll actually fit?
You’re shopping for a subwoofer, a canvas, or maybe a new footstool, and the listing says “20 inches.” But what does that look like in your actual space?
Here’s the reality: 20 inches is about as long as your forearm from elbow to fingertip. It’s shorter than a carry-on suitcase but longer than a laptop. It’s that in-between size that pops up everywhere—from fishing gear to kitchen bowls—yet somehow stays hard to picture until you need it.
After writing many size guides, I’ve noticed people don’t just want numbers—they want easy, real examples they can imagine right away.
This guide shows you exactly what 20 inches looks like through 13 real objects you’ve probably touched this week.
Quick Answer: How Long Is 20 Inches?
20 inches equals 50.8 centimeters, or about 1 foot and 8 inches long.
The easiest way to picture it? Grab a 12-inch ruler and add another 8 inches to the end—that’s 20 inches.
It’s just a little shorter than 2 feet, so it fits easily on most shelves, counters, or car trunks without taking up too much space.
Conversion Table: 20 Inches at a Glance
| Unit | Equals |
| Centimeters | 50.8 cm |
| Millimeters | 508 mm |
| Feet | 1.67 ft |
| Yards | 0.56 yd |
| Meters | 0.508 m |
Quick math trick: multiply any inch measurement by 2.54 to get centimeters. So 20 × 2.54 = 50.8 cm. Works every time.
13 Common Things That Are 20 Inches Long
Let’s make this tangible. Here are 13 everyday items measuring right around 20 inches—stuff you’ve used, seen, or walked past without realizing they share this exact dimension.
| Object | Category | Dimension |
| Standard Ottoman or Footstool | Furniture | 20 inches tall |
| Hand Saw Blade | Tools | 20 inches long |
| Small Fishing Net Handle | Fishing Gear | 20 inches long |
| Large Rainbow Trout | Fish/Wildlife | 20 inches long |
| Fireplace Log Holder | Home Décor | 20 inches long |
| Table Runner | Home Décor | 20 inches wide |
| Large Mixing Bowl | Kitchenware | 20 inches diameter |
| Standard Dish Drying Rack | Kitchenware | 20 inches long |
| Hedge Trimmer Blade | Gardening Tools | 20 inches long |
| Car Subwoofer (20-inch Sub) | Car Audio | 20 inches diameter |
| Coffee Table Leg | Furniture | 20 inches tall |
| Automotive Creeper | Automotive Tools | 20 inches wide |
| Square Canvas for Painting | Art Supplies | 20″×20″ (20 inches per side) |
1. Standard Ottoman or Footstool Height
Most living room ottomans stand about 20 inches tall from floor to cushion top.
Why this height? It matches standard sofa seat heights, so when you prop your feet up after work, your knees stay comfortable instead of awkwardly bent. Too low and you’re straining your hips. Too high and your legs dangle.
When shopping for footstools online, “20-inch height” means it’ll align with most couches without needing custom adjustments.
2. Hand Saw Blade Length
Carpenter’s handsaws—the kind used for cutting lumber and framing work—usually have blades measuring 20 inches from handle to tip.
This length lets you cut through thick boards in smooth strokes without the saw becoming too heavy to control. Shorter blades make you work harder with more back-and-forth motion. Longer ones get unwieldy fast.
If you’re buying a saw for home projects like building shelves or cutting plywood, a 20-inch blade handles most jobs without overkill.
3. Small Fishing Net Handle
Landing nets—the ones anglers use to scoop fish out of the water—typically have handles around 20 inches long.
This gives you enough reach to dip the net from a boat or dock without leaning over dangerously. You can hold the handle one-handed while keeping your rod in the other hand when a fish fights near the surface.
Anything shorter forces you to stretch awkwardly. Anything longer becomes too cumbersome to store in a tackle box.
Read Also: 13 Common Things That Are 4 Inches Long
4. Large Rainbow Trout
A trophy-sized rainbow trout, as noted by the Wired2Fish, is about 20 inches from nose to tail fin.
In most states, this qualifies as a keeper fish—mature enough to have lived multiple seasons and meaty enough to feed a family. A 20-inch trout usually weighs 3-4 pounds and puts up a serious fight on the line.
Wildlife agencies use this measurement as a benchmark for healthy fish populations, so when anglers brag about “20-inchers,” they’re talking legitimate catches.
5. Fireplace Log Holder Length
Those decorative metal or wicker log racks beside fireplaces? Most measure 20 inches across.
This size holds enough split wood for 2-3 hours of burning without cluttering your hearth. You can stack 4-5 logs horizontally, and they won’t roll off or tip the rack forward.
Interior designers pick this length because it looks intentional next to a fireplace without eating up floor space or blocking walkways.
6. Table Runner Width
Wide table runners for large dining tables typically measure 20 inches across.
This width works on tables seating 8-10 people because it leaves room on both sides for plates, silverware, and wine glasses. The runner anchors the center without crowding your place settings.
When setting up for dinner parties, a 20-inch runner creates that polished restaurant look while keeping the table functional.
Read Also: 14 Common Things That Are 3 Inches Long
7. Large Mixing Bowl Diameter
Professional-grade mixing bowls—the kind bakers use for bread dough or massive salad batches—measure about 20 inches across the rim.
This diameter gives you elbow room to knead, whisk, or toss ingredients without flour clouds or splatter. A bowl this size holds 10-12 quarts, which means you can double recipes without overflow.
If you’ve ever tried mixing cookie dough in a too-small bowl and ended up with batter on the counter, you know why serious cooks invest in 20-inch bowls.
8. Standard Dish Drying Rack Length
Countertop dish racks—wire or plastic—typically stretch 20 inches from one end to the other.
This fits beside most kitchen sinks without hogging all your counter space. It holds a full dinner service: plates, bowls, cups, utensils, plus a cutting board or two.
Manufacturers settled on this size because it balances capacity with practicality. You get fast air-drying without sacrificing the counter space you need for meal prep.
9. Hedge Trimmer Blade Length
Medium-sized electric hedge trimmers come with 20-inch cutting blades. This handles residential landscaping—shaping bushes, trimming hedges, cleaning up shrubs—without being too heavy to maneuver. You can make straight cuts across the top of a hedge in just a few passes.
Pro tip: A 20-inch blade cuts branches up to half an inch thick, which covers 90% of backyard trimming jobs without needing professional equipment.
10. Diameter of a Car Subwoofer
High-power car subwoofers often measure 20 inches in diameter. This is serious audio gear—the kind that rattles windows at red lights and delivers chest-thumping bass smaller speakers can’t touch. A 20-inch sub moves massive amounts of air, which translates to deep, room-filling (or car-filling) low frequencies.
Installing one means custom trunk work since standard mounts don’t fit speakers this large. But if you want to feel the music physically, not just hear it, this is the size that delivers.
11. Table Leg Length
Replacement or removable table legs for coffee tables and benches often measure 20 inches tall.
This creates a surface sitting just above couch cushions—high enough to reach snacks or a laptop without awkward leaning, but not so tall it feels like a dining table. It’s between traditional coffee table height (16-18 inches) and side table height (24-26 inches).
Modern furniture makers use 20-inch legs when they want under-table storage with easy seated access.
12. Automotive Creeper Width
Mechanic’s creepers—those flat, wheeled boards you lie on to slide under cars—typically measure 20 inches wide.
This width supports your shoulders and torso comfortably while still fitting between tight garage spaces and under low-clearance vehicles. You can roll from tire to tire without getting wedged.
Auto shops stock this size because it works for most body types and car models without sacrificing mobility when you’re wrenching in cramped spots.
13. Square Canvas for Painting
Artists use 20-inch by 20-inch square canvases constantly. This size works for acrylic pours, abstracts, and gallery walls because square formats feel modern and balanced. It makes a statement on a wall without overpowering small rooms.
Art stores stock these in bulk since they’re beginner-friendly for practicing techniques but also professional enough for series work. Hang four in a grid pattern, and you’ve got instant visual impact.
Practical Ways to Measure 20 Inches Without Tools
Stuck without a tape measure? Use what’s already around you.
Your forearm: For most adults, elbow to fingertip is 18-20 inches. Hold your arm out and you’ve got a built-in ruler.
Six credit cards: Each card is 3.37 inches long. Line up six end-to-end lengthwise, and you hit roughly 20 inches.
Two sheets of paper plus a bit: Standard letter paper is 11 inches long. Two sheets stacked end-to-end gets you to 22 inches—close enough for quick estimates.
Four stacked soda cans: A 12 oz can is 4.83 inches tall. Stack four, and you’re at 19.32 inches—basically 20 inches.
Three dollar bills minus a smidge: US bills are 6.14 inches each. Three end-to-end gets you 18.42 inches, which gives you a ballpark sense of the length.
When 20 Inches Actually Matters
Shopping online: You’re buying a subwoofer, canvas, or ottoman and need to know if it fits your space before clicking “buy.” Measure your shelf, trunk, or wall first using the tricks above.
DIY projects: Building shelves? Installing a speaker? You need to know if 20 inches fits between wall studs (typically 16 inches apart) or in your car’s cargo area.
Packing for trips: Airline carry-on size limits are usually around 22 inches, according to the American Airlines. A 20-inch item fits comfortably with room to spare for straps or handles.
Kitchen planning: Replacing a dish rack or buying mixing bowls? Measure your counter space first. A 20-inch rack beside the sink might block your coffee maker or cutting board area.
Gardening setups: Indoor grow lights need clearance above plants. A 20-inch diameter light requires at least 24 inches of shelf width for proper mounting and airflow.
Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid
Confusing diameter with total width: A 20-inch subwoofer measures 20 inches across the speaker cone, but the mounting frame adds 2-3 inches. Always check “mounting diameter” specs.
Ignoring depth: A 20-inch mixing bowl might be 20 inches wide but only 8 inches deep. If you’re storing it in a cabinet, both dimensions matter.
Forgetting leg spread: A 20-inch-tall table leg might splay outward at the base, taking up more floor space than the leg length suggests. Check base dimensions too.
Not accounting for handles: A 20-inch dish rack might have handles or drainage spouts adding inches to the total length. Measure your counter space with wiggle room.
FAQs About 20 Inches
How long is 20 inches on a ruler?
A standard ruler is 12 inches, so 20 inches extends 8 inches past the end. You’d need a yardstick (36 inches) or measuring tape to see the full length at once.
How long is 20 inches in cm?
50.8 centimeters. Multiply 20 by 2.54 to convert.
How long is 20 inches in feet?
1.67 feet, or 1 foot and 8 inches. It’s 4 inches short of 2 feet.
Is 20 inches close to a body part size?
Yes. Most adults’ forearms (elbow to fingertip) measure 18-20 inches. It’s also roughly the width of adult shoulders.
What’s bigger: 20 inches or 2 feet?
2 feet (24 inches) is 4 inches longer than 20 inches—about the width of your palm.
How can I measure 20 inches without a ruler?
Use your forearm, six credit cards end-to-end, or four stacked soda cans. None are exact, but they get you close enough for quick checks.
What household items are exactly 20 inches?
Dish drying racks, footstools, fireplace log holders, hand saw blades, and square art canvases commonly hit this measurement in at least one dimension.
Final Thoughts
20 inches stops being abstract once you link it to stuff you already know—your footstool, a fishing net, that mixing bowl in your cabinet.
Next time you’re sizing up furniture, gear, or project materials, you’ll eyeball 20 inches instantly without scrambling for a tape measure.
Bookmark this, share it with someone who’s always guessing measurements, or keep it handy for your next shopping trip.
Now go look around your house—bet you’ll spot something 20 inches long within 30 seconds.
I am the editor and author of StoriesRadius.com, a blog about measurements and dimensions. I enjoy turning numbers and sizes into simple stories that anyone can understand. From everyday objects to curious facts, I share clear guides based on real research and experience. My goal is to make learning about length, height, and size fun, useful, and easy for all readers.
