Housefly
A housefly is a common flying insect often found near human habitation and associated with transmitting diseases.
How big is it?
7 mm long
Also 0.2756 in
Body length · representative
A little perspective
Housefly vs Grain of rice: length comparison
The body length of a housefly is approximately equal to the length of a grain of rice.
A housefly is a common flying insect often found near human habitation and associated with transmitting diseases.
A grain of rice is the edible seed of the rice plant, widely consumed as a staple food.
Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Housefly
Body length: 7 mm; representative.
A chosen 7 mm housefly body. Legs and wings extend beyond the measured span.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked body length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Grain of rice
Length: 7 mm; example.
Uncooked illustrative grain, 7 mm long and 25 mg.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked 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 7 mm
We compare the body length of a housefly. This is a representative comparison value; individual specimens or conditions can vary.
A chosen 7 mm housefly body. Legs and wings extend beyond the measured span.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 mm | Not recorded | representative | |
| 12 mg | Not recorded | representative |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valueLiving thingsSmall ant5 mmLengthAn ant is a social insect that lives in an organised colony, usually with workers, a queen and specialised roles.
Around the same scaleEveryday objectsGrain of rice7 mmLengthA grain of rice is the edible seed of the rice plant, widely consumed as a staple food.
Nearest higher valueLiving thingsHoneybee1.5 cmBody lengthA honeybee is a social insect that lives in a colony and gathers nectar and pollen from flowers.Sources and method
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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
More ways to see it
Curated comparisons
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
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.Everyday thingsGrain of rice7 mmA grain of rice is the edible seed of the rice plant, widely consumed as a staple food.
Living thingsMosquito6 mmA mosquito is a slender flying insect with long legs and a piercing mouthpart.
Living thingsLadybird6 mmA ladybird is a small beetle that feeds on aphids and is beneficial to gardens.
Everyday thingsChickpea9 mmA chickpea is an edible seed from the Cicer arietinum plant, commonly used in cooking and also called a garbanzo bean.
PeopleFingernail1.5 cmA fingernail is the hard, protective covering at the tip of a human finger, composed of keratin.