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People and human anatomy

Index finger

The index finger is the second finger of the human hand, located between the thumb and the middle finger.

How big is it?

8 cm long

Also 3.15 in

Length · example

Scale illustration of an index finger, showing the recorded length.
Recorded length: 8 cm.

A little perspective

Index finger vs Sand dollar: length comparison

The length of an index finger is approximately equal to the test diameter of a sand dollar.

Scale
Index finger

The index finger is the second finger of the human hand, located between the thumb and the middle finger.

8 cmLength
0 - shared origin
Sand dollar

A sand dollar is a flat, burrowing sea urchin with a rigid, disc-shaped skeleton, often found in sandy coastal waters.

8 cmDefined test diameter
0 - shared origin

Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions.

Measurements, assumptions & sources +

Index finger

Length: 8 cm; example.

An 8 cm long example, not a population average.

Defined examples — our methodology

The marked length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.

Sand dollar

Defined test diameter: 8 cm; defined specimen; range 5 cm–10 cm.

A defined living sand dollar with an 8 cm test diameter and 25 g mass. Species and maturity vary; short spines are included visually but do not define the rigid test span.

Smithsonian Ocean — Sea urchins and sand dollars

The marked defined test diameter is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.

Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.

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Why this measurement?

Why we use 8 cm

We compare the length of an index finger. This is an illustrative comparison value, not a claim that every example is the same.

An 8 cm long example, not a population average.

The marked horizontal span follows the measured feature, not the edges of the image. How calibrated comparisons work →

Explore people and human anatomy →

Recorded properties

Dimensions and measurements

PropertySelected valueRecorded rangeBasis
8 cmNot recordedexample

Around this scale

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Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.

Sources and method

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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.

Read the measurement and artwork methodology →

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