Shuttlecock
A shuttlecock is a feathered projectile used in badminton, designed to be struck by rackets.
Also known as: badminton shuttle, birdie
How big is it?
8.5 cm · overall length
Also 3.346 in
Overall length · representative
Typical recorded range: 8 cm to 9 cm.
A little perspective
Shuttlecock vs Sand dollar: length comparison
The overall length of a shuttlecock is about 1.06 times the test diameter of a sand dollar.
A shuttlecock is a feathered projectile used in badminton, designed to be struck by rackets.
A sand dollar is a flat, burrowing sea urchin with a rigid, disc-shaped skeleton, often found in sandy coastal waters.
Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions. Horizontal rulers compare the selected spans; vertical brackets also identify height on the artwork.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Shuttlecock
Overall length: 8.5 cm; representative; range 8 cm–9 cm.
A representative feather shuttlecock 85 mm long and 5 g, within international equipment tolerances. Synthetic skirts and speed grades differ.
Badminton World Federation — Statutes and equipment laws
The marked overall 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 8.5 cm
We compare the overall length of a shuttlecock. This is a representative comparison value; individual specimens or conditions can vary. The recorded range is 8 cm to 9 cm.
A representative feather shuttlecock 85 mm long and 5 g, within international equipment tolerances. Synthetic skirts and speed grades differ.
The marked vertical 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 cm | 8 cm to 9 cm | representative | |
| 5 g | 4.74 g to 5.5 g | representative |
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Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- Badminton World Federation — Statutes and equipment lawsShuttle dimensions and mass tolerances; a midpoint specimen is used.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
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