7 Common Things That Are 3 Inches Long (Check Out #5)

This article will show you some of the more common items that are 3 inches long.

3 inches is a smaller size that most people can relate to and are familiar with. Many things are this size.

If you are not sure of how long an item is and you don’t have a measuring tool like a ruler or tape close by, it can be very helpful to know the sizes of other items to use as a comparison.

Check out the following list of 7 things that are 3 inches long.

Did you know? 3 inches is equal to 0.25 feet or 7.62 centimeters.

1. 3 quarters
2. Nail
3. Half of a 1 dollar bill
4. Credit card
5. Soup can
6. 3 paper clips
7. Ball mount

1. Three quarters

The quarter coin is equal to 25 cents or a quarter of a dollar. The American 25 cent coin measures 1 inch in diameter.

If you were to measure across the coin from one edge to the other, it would equal 1 inch or 2.54 centimeters.

This means that 3 quarters placed together in a line would measure 3 inches long. If you don’t have a ruler with you, using 3 quarters is an easy way to reference 3 inches long.

2. Nail

The common 3-inch nail can be used for many different projects. This includes wood and framing, which people believe a 3 or 3.5-inch nail is the best size for framing jobs.

3-inch nails can be used in nail guns which make a job much easier than using a hammer.

Generally, nails are made out of steel but can also be made with copper, bronze, and aluminum.

Nails are available in many different sizes and the length you choose depends on the project you are working on.

Did you know? The head of a nail is called the shank.

3. Half of 1 dollar bill

An American 1 dollar bill has the measurements of 6.14 inches x 2.61 inches. Some countries have different bill sizes, but the USA has had the same dimensions for the dollar bill since 1928.

If you take the 1 dollar bill and fold it in half, it would measure or be very close to measuring 3 inches long.

4. Credit card

A standard credit card that you are used to seeing on a regular basis, has measurements of 3.375 inches long and 2.125 inches wide.

If you don’t have a credit card handy to compare, you can also use a debit card or membership card as they are normally the same size.

Even though the credit card is not exactly 3 inches long, it is very close giving you an example.

5. Soup can

A normal-sized soup can is 3 inches or 7.62 centimeters in diameter. Using a measuring tape or ruler, measure across the top or bottom of the can from each edge to see 3-inches long.

Soup cans are also 4.25 inches tall.

World-famous Campbell’s soup is an example of a standard size soup can the is 3 inches in diameter.

Using a tape measure in the following image you can see the diameter of this soup can.

6. Three paper clips

A paper clip is a device used to clip or hold several pieces of paper together. Normally paper clips are made of bendable steel wire and come in different sizes.

The standard paper clip measures 1 inch long. If you place 3 of them together, they would measure 3 inches long in total.

7. Zip ties

If you are looking for the perfect tool to keep things neat, tidy, and well organized, try a zip tie.

Zip ties are made out of plastic and are commonly used to bundle cords or wires. These ties are available in many different sizes including 6 inches long, but if you have smaller jobs, the 3-inch zip tie is normally available online and in hardware stores.

How long is 3 inches on your finger?

If you don’t have a tape measure close by, or trying to measure something without a ruler, you can use your own fingers to get an idea of something that is 3 inches long.

To get an average size of 3 inches, use your index finger. It will be very close for most people.

You can also use your thumb as a reference as the length of the knuckle to the thumb tip is around 1 inch.

Just multiply that by 3 to get 3 inches.

How can I measure 3 inches without a ruler?

As mentioned above, if you don’t have a tape measure or ruler handy, there are several ways to measure 3 inches. Any of the 7 items mentioned will help you with this length.

Most people will have a credit card in their wallets so that is convenient to use. If not, use a dollar bill folded in half, or put 3 quarters together.

If you are in a grocery store and need to find something that is 3 inches long, grab a standard soup can and use the diameter across the top as a reference as it is 3 inches in diameter.

What common item is an inch long?

There are several things to reference that are 1 inch long. This includes a paper clip, a quarter coin, PVC pipe diameter, and more.

The most common item that most people have handy is the American quarter which is 1 inch long.