Platelet
A platelet is a small blood-cell fragment that helps form clots and stop bleeding after a blood vessel is damaged.
Also known as: blood platelet, thrombocyte
How big is it?
3 µm across
Representative diameter · representative
Typical recorded range: 2 µm to 4 µm.
A little perspective
Yeast cell is about 1.67 times larger on this measurement.
Yeast cell: Yeast is a group of single-celled fungi.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Platelet
A representative inactive human platelet about 3 µm across. Platelets vary in size and change shape dramatically when activated; the illustration is a resting schematic.
University of Utah — Cell size and scale
The marked representative diameter is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Yeast cell
A chosen 5 µm yeast cell; species and growth stage alter its size.
University of Utah — Cell size and scale
The marked characteristic size is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 3 µm
For comparison, this page uses representative diameter. This is labelled representative; the central value is useful for comparison, while real values or measurement solutions can vary. The recorded range is 2 µm to 4 µm.
A representative inactive human platelet about 3 µm across. Platelets vary in size and change shape dramatically when activated; the illustration is a resting schematic.
The marked horizontal span follows the named feature; transparent margins and unmeasured details do not alter it. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Platelet dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 µm | 2 µm to 4 µm | representative |
Around this scale
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These links use compatible length records, ordered around the selected value.
Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- University of Utah — Cell size and scaleApproximate biological size regimes. Atlas specimens and geometric assumptions are individually labelled.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
MicroscopicRed blood cell7.5 µmA red blood cell is a specialised blood cell that transports oxygen using haemoglobin.
Microscopic10 µm cell10 µmA cell is the basic structural unit of living organisms.
PeopleHuman heart12 cmA human heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood through the circulatory system.
MicroscopicYeast cell5 µmYeast is a group of single-celled fungi.
Microscopic2 µm bacterium2 µmA bacterium is a single-celled microorganism without a membrane-bound nucleus.
MicroscopicDust particle10 µmDust is a mixture of tiny solid particles from sources such as soil, fibres, skin and pollen.
PeopleSperm cell50 µmA sperm cell is a male reproductive cell with a compact head, energy-producing midpiece and a flagellum used for movement.
MicroscopicNeuron cell body20 µmA neuron cell body, or soma, is the central part of a nerve cell containing its nucleus.