Human heart
A human heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood through the circulatory system.
Also known as: heart, adult human heart
How big is it?
12 cm long
Also 4.724 in
Representative long axis · defined specimen
Typical recorded range: 10 cm to 14 cm.
A little perspective
About the same scale as Pear.
Pear: A pear is a sweet, edible fruit produced by trees of the genus Pyrus, commonly eaten fresh or used in cooking and baking.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Human heart
A fist-sized adult heart represented by a 12 cm long-axis specimen. Cleveland Clinic gives an average adult mass of about 10 oz (283 g); individual anatomy varies.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked representative long axis is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Pear
A defined medium pear 11 cm long using the USDA 178 g reference fruit mass. Cultivar and ripeness vary; the stem and leaf are excluded from calibrated fruit length.
USDA FoodData Central — raw fruit portions
The marked defined fruit length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 12 cm
For comparison, this page uses representative long axis. This is labelled defined specimen: an explicit comparison model rather than a claim that every example has the same value. The recorded range is 10 cm to 14 cm.
A fist-sized adult heart represented by a 12 cm long-axis specimen. Cleveland Clinic gives an average adult mass of about 10 oz (283 g); individual anatomy varies.
The marked vertical span follows the named feature; transparent margins and unmeasured details do not alter it. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Human heart dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 cm | 10 cm to 14 cm | defined specimen | |
| 283 g | 230 g to 340 g | representative |
Around this scale
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible length records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · Everyday thingsPear11 cmA pear is a sweet, edible fruit produced by trees of the genus Pyrus, commonly eaten fresh or used in cooking and baking.
Around the same scale · Living thingsEarthworm12 cmAn earthworm is a segmented invertebrate that lives in soil and aids in decomposing organic material.
Nearest higher value · PeopleHuman brain15 cmThe human brain is the organ that processes sensory information and coordinates thought, memory, movement and many body functions.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- Cleveland Clinic — Heart anatomyThe adult heart is about fist-sized and averages about 10 oz (283 g); dimensions vary by person.
- Defined examples — our methodology
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
PeopleHuman1.75 mA human is a primate of the species Homo sapiens, distinguished by habitual upright walking, language and complex tool use.
TimeHeartbeat1 sA heartbeat is the regular contraction of the heart that pumps blood through the body.Everyday thingsPear11 cmA pear is a sweet, edible fruit produced by trees of the genus Pyrus, commonly eaten fresh or used in cooking and baking.
Living thingsNudibranch10 cmA nudibranch is a soft-bodied marine mollusc, often brightly coloured, commonly known as a sea slug.PeopleHuman brain15 cmThe human brain is the organ that processes sensory information and coordinates thought, memory, movement and many body functions.
SpaceVanguard 116.5 cmVanguard 1 is an early American satellite launched in 1958, notable for being the oldest human-made object still in orbit.
SportShuttlecock8.5 cmA shuttlecock is a feathered projectile used in badminton, designed to be struck by rackets.
Everyday thingsMango14 cmA mango is the edible, fleshy fruit of the tropical tree Mangifera indica, widely cultivated for its sweet flavour.