Hand span
Hand span is the distance measured from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended.
How big is it?
20 cm long
Also 7.874 in
Length · example
A little perspective
Hand span vs Sea hare: length comparison
A hand span is approximately equal to the body length of a sea hare.
Hand span is the distance measured from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended.
A sea hare is a soft-bodied marine mollusc related to sea slugs, capable of releasing ink when threatened.
Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Hand span
Length: 20 cm; example.
A 20 cm span from thumb to little finger.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Sea hare
Defined body length: 20 cm; defined specimen; range 12 cm–30 cm.
A defined 20 cm Aplysia sea hare measured along the relaxed body. Species, maturity and posture vary greatly; extended oral tentacles are excluded.
Monterey Bay Aquarium — California sea hare
The marked defined body length 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 20 cm
We compare a hand span. This is an illustrative comparison value, not a claim that every example is the same.
A 20 cm span from thumb to little finger.
The marked horizontal span follows the measured feature, not the edges of the image. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 cm | Not recorded | example |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valueEveryday objectsPencil19 cmLengthA pencil is a writing or drawing instrument with a graphite or coloured core encased in wood or another material.
Around the same scaleLiving thingsSea hare20 cmDefined body lengthA sea hare is a soft-bodied marine mollusc related to sea slugs, capable of releasing ink when threatened.
Nearest higher valueFundamental physicsHydrogen 21 cm hyperfine transition21.1 cmVacuum wavelengthThis is a change in the energy state of neutral hydrogen atoms that produces or absorbs radio waves, widely used in radio astronomy.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
Living thingsSea hare20 cmA sea hare is a soft-bodied marine mollusc related to sea slugs, capable of releasing ink when threatened.
Everyday thingsCabbage head20 cmA cabbage head is the compact, leafy, edible part of a green cabbage plant, commonly used as a vegetable.
SportDisc golf driver21.1 cmA disc golf driver is a specialised flying disc designed for long-distance throws in the sport of disc golf.
SpaceVanguard 116.5 cmVanguard 1 is an early American satellite launched in 1958, notable for being the oldest human-made object still in orbit.
PeopleHuman brain15 cmThe human brain is the organ that processes sensory information and coordinates thought, memory, movement and many body functions.
Living thingsBasket star20 cmA basket star is a marine echinoderm related to brittle stars, with repeatedly branching arms adapted for filter feeding.
Built worldBrick21.5 cmA brick is a rectangular block made from clay or concrete, commonly used in building walls and structures.
ContainersFrench coffee press1 LA French coffee press is a device for brewing coffee by steeping ground beans in hot water and separating them with a plunger and mesh filter.