Bacteriophage T4
Bacteriophage T4 is a virus that infects bacteria. Its angular head contains genetic material and its tail attaches to a bacterial host.
Also known as: T4 phage, T-even bacteriophage
How big is it?
200 nm long
Head-to-tail length · representative
Typical recorded range: 180 nm to 220 nm.
A little perspective
About twice the characteristic size of Virus.
Virus: A virus is an infectious particle containing genetic material inside a protein coat, sometimes with an outer envelope.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Bacteriophage T4
A representative T4 bacteriophage about 200 nm from capsid top to tail end. Tail fibres extend beyond the central head-and-tail measurement and the illustration is schematic.
NCBI Bookshelf — Bacteriophage T4
The marked head-to-tail length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Virus
A chosen 100 nm viral particle, including the approximate envelope. Viruses vary greatly.
University of Utah — Cell size and scale
The marked characteristic size is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Change your perspective
Put it next to…
Choose a suggestion to redraw the comparison, or open its page to learn what it is.
Why this measurement?
Why we use 200 nm
For comparison, this page uses head-to-tail length. This is labelled representative; the central value is useful for comparison, while real values or measurement solutions can vary. The recorded range is 180 nm to 220 nm.
A representative T4 bacteriophage about 200 nm from capsid top to tail end. Tail fibres extend beyond the central head-and-tail measurement and the illustration is schematic.
The marked vertical span follows the named feature; transparent margins and unmeasured details do not alter it. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Bacteriophage T4 dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 nm | 180 nm to 220 nm | representative |
Around this scale
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible length records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · MicroscopicVirus100 nmA virus is an infectious particle containing genetic material inside a protein coat, sometimes with an outer envelope.
Around the same scale · MicroscopicInfluenza virion100 nmAn influenza virion is a single infectious particle of the influenza virus, consisting of genetic material inside a lipid envelope.
Nearest higher value · Microscopic2 µm bacterium2 µmA bacterium is a single-celled microorganism without a membrane-bound nucleus.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- NCBI Bookshelf — Bacteriophage T4T4 morphology and characteristic head-tail scale; dimensions vary with preparation and measurement convention.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
MicroscopicVirus100 nmA virus is an infectious particle containing genetic material inside a protein coat, sometimes with an outer envelope.Microscopic2 µm bacterium2 µmA bacterium is a single-celled microorganism without a membrane-bound nucleus.
MicroscopicDNA double helix2 nmDNA is the molecule that stores hereditary information in living organisms.MicroscopicInfluenza virion100 nmAn influenza virion is a single infectious particle of the influenza virus, consisting of genetic material inside a lipid envelope.
MicroscopicRibosome25 nmA ribosome is a molecular machine that builds proteins by reading instructions carried by messenger RNA.
MicroscopicIgG antibody molecule14.5 nmAn IgG antibody molecule is a Y-shaped protein produced by the immune system to identify and neutralise foreign substances.
MicroscopicPlatelet3 µmA platelet is a small blood-cell fragment that helps form clots and stop bleeding after a blood vessel is damaged.
MicroscopicYeast cell5 µmYeast is a group of single-celled fungi.