Red blood cell
A red blood cell is a specialised blood cell that transports oxygen using haemoglobin.
7.5 µmCharacteristic sizeBeyond the eye
Red blood cell vs 70 µm hair
What are they, and what does the difference actually look like?
Two things. One honest scale.
Meet the pair
What these two things are
70 µm hair
A hair is a slender strand of protein that grows from the skin of humans and other mammals.
70 µmDiameterThe diameter of 70 µm hair is about 9.33 times the characteristic size of Red blood cell.
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Red blood cell7.5 µmCharacteristic size
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70 µm hair70 µmDiameter
Inset ×54.8Red blood cell is too small to see clearly at this scale. The ring marks its position; only the inset is enlarged.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Red blood cell
A chosen 7.5 µm human red-blood-cell diameter. Real cells vary and deform.
University of Utah — Cell size and scale
The marked characteristic size is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
70 µm hair
A 70 µm diameter example; hair thickness varies.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked diameter is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Change the comparison
Put something else beside it.
Measurement details
Why these numbers?
The visual compares characteristic size with diameter. The records below preserve each value’s basis and caveats.
Red blood cell
7.5 µmCharacteristic size · representative
A chosen 7.5 µm human red-blood-cell diameter. Real cells vary and deform.
70 µm hair
70 µmDiameter · example
A 70 µm diameter example; hair thickness varies.
- Comparing
- Characteristic size ↔ Diameter
- Relative size
- 70 µm hair is larger on this measurement by a factor of about 9.33. 70 µm hair's selected measurement is approximately 833% greater than Red blood cell's.
How to read the visual
The labelled spans and stored measurements determine the scale; unmeasured illustration details do not.
- Red blood cell is labelled representative; treat the displayed value as a comparison anchor rather than false precision.
- 70 µm hair is labelled example; treat the displayed value as a comparison anchor rather than false precision.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
MicroscopicRed blood cell7.5 µmA red blood cell is a specialised blood cell that transports oxygen using haemoglobin.People70 µm hair70 µmA hair is a slender strand of protein that grows from the skin of humans and other mammals.
Living thingsHoneybee1.5 cmA honeybee is a social insect that lives in a colony and gathers nectar and pollen from flowers.
Living thingsSmall ant5 mmAn ant is a social insect that lives in an organised colony, usually with workers, a queen and specialised roles.
Everyday thingsUS quarter2.426 cmA US quarter is a coin worth twenty-five cents, commonly used in United States currency.Side by side
Another point of view.
