Can You Guess the Measurements of These Common Items?

Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Guess the Measurements of These Common Items?
Image: Pixabay/Vitamin

About This Quiz

You know the bald eagle is a symbol of America, but do you know the average wingspan of this magnificent creature? As many times as you've counted your pennies or folded a dollar bill into your wallet, have you ever stopped to think about the dimensions of that dollar, or just how much that penny weighs? Thrown a few fastballs in your life - does that mean you know the diameter of a baseball? What about a bowling ball - do you know how much it should weigh?

Standardized sizing makes life infinitely easier for businesses, government agencies, and everyday citizens. It keeps us safe - think freeway lanes; protects us from counterfeit cash - bills and coins are made to very specific sizes; and keeps the rules fair across the football field, basketball court or hockey rink.

Beyond the objects you see every day, do you think you can also guess the dimensions of some major structures, like Cinderella's Castle at Disney World, or the Washington Monument or Empire State Building?

This quiz will test not only your ability to eye measurements or calculate weight without a scale, but will also challenge your power of observation, and how closely you pay attention to the world around you. Take our quiz to show your skills!

Pennies
Pixabay/PublicDomainPictures
You've probably counted your pennies over the years, but do you know how much one of these coins weighs?
0.5 grams
1 gram
2.5 grams
8 grams
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A brand new penny is worth 1 cent and weighs in at 2.5 grams, or 0.88 ounces, according to the U.S. Mint. Made from copper-plated zinc since the early '80s, a penny measures 0.598 inches thick and is 0.75 inches in diameter.

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Freeway
Getty/Bill Barfield
You've probably rolled on down the highway for hundreds of miles, but do you know how wide a standard freeway lane is?
6 feet
8 feet
12 feet
18 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Interstate Highway System in the U.S. sets standard lane widths at 12 feet or 3.7 meters. Wider lanes are linked to fewer accidents, except in urban settings, where this isn't necessarily the case. Smaller roads can sometimes be much narrower than the standard freeway lane.

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Empire State Building
Shutterstock
Measuring 102 stories, how tall is the Empire State Building?
564 feet
1,454 feet
2,765 feet
3,221 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Completed in 1931, the Empire State Building in New York City is a piece of Art Deco glory. It measures 1,250 feet tall, or 1,454 feet if you include its antenna, and ranks among the 30 tallest buildings in the world.

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Male Lifestyle
Shutterstock
How tale is the average adult male in the United States?
5'5"
5'7"
5'9"
6'
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The height of an adult male can vary significantly by country. In the United States, a typical man stands 5'9. Men are taller in the Netherlands, with an average height of 5'11," and shorter in Peru, averaging 5'5."

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Paper
Getty/aristotoo
How long is a sheet of letter-sized paper in the U.S.?
10 inches
11 inches
12 inches
17 inches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A standard sheet of letter-sized paper measures 8.5 inches wide and 11 inches long. Legal paper is 8.5" by 14," which larger tabloid paper is 11" by 17."

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Elephant
Shutterstock
You know that the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time, but do you know the average weight for one of these creatures?
1/2 to 1 ton
2 to 7 tons
10 to 20 tons
40 tons or more
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are two major elephant species on Earth, and African elephants tend to be smaller than their Asian cousins. If you come across an African elephant, expect it to measure between 8 and 13 feet tall, and weigh between 2 and 7 tons.

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Bald Eagle
Shutterstock
There's nothing more majestic than a bald eagle soaring through the sky, but do you know the size of its wingspan?
2 to 3 feet
3 to 5 feet
6 to 7 feet
8 to 10 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A bald eagle in flight has a wingspan between 6 and 7.5 feet on average. This bird weighs between 6 and 14 pounds, and measures 28 to 40 inches long.

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Cinderella's Castle (Magic Kingdom)
Michael Gray via Wiki Commons
It's the heart and soul of the Magic Kingdom, but can you guess the height of Cinderella's Castle?
42 feet
95 feet
183 feet
311 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cinderella's Castle greets Magic Kingdom visitors in Orlando. At 183 feet tall, it's more than twice the size of the 77-foot Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in California.

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Banana
Pixabay/marker_photography
In 2018, it seemed like everyone online was using a banana for scale, but how long is this fruit on average?
4 inches
6 to 8 inches
8 to 12 inches
More than 12 inches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A medium banana measures between 6 and 8 inches. A small banana is around 6 inches long, and contains about three-quarters of a cup of fruit, while a large one measures more than 8 inches and contains a full cup of fruit.

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Orange Cat
Getty/Image by Chris Winsor
Watch out Garfield! How much does an average domestic cat weigh?
4 to 6 pounds
8 to 10 pounds
12 to 14 pounds
15 to 20 pounds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, the average cat in the U.S. weights 8 to 10 pounds. This can vary by species, however, with Maine Coons weighing in between 10 and 25 pounds, and Siamese weighing between 5 and 10 pounds.

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Football Field
Getty/Darrin Klimek
Huddle up! How long is a football field in the U.S.?
50 yards
100 yards
150 yards
200 yards
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Football fields in the U.S. are built to very specific measurements. They are 100 yards long but 53-1/3 yard wide.

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Blue Whale
Shutterstock
Can you guess the weight of the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale?
4,000 pounds
41,000 pounds
140,000 pounds
441,000 pounds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A blue whale weighs an average of 441,000 pounds and measures 80 to 100 feet long. It weighs a whopping 8,000 pounds at birth, and just the brain of an adult blue whale weighs more than the average elephant.

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Statue of Liberty
n/a
Including its base, how tall is Lady Liberty?
72 feet
140 feet
305 feet
526 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A gift from France struck from copper, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated in 1886. The Statue is 151 feet tall, or 305 feet if you include her base, and stands proudly in New York Harbor.

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Hummingbird
Pixabay/Nicman
How much does a hummingbird typically weigh?
Less than 1 ounce
About 1 pound
3 to 5 pounds
5 to 10 pounds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A hummingbird typically weighs between 1/10th and 1/4th of an ounce. The ruby-throated hummingbird, one of the larger members of the species, weighs in at 0.11 ounces.

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Dollar Bill
Pixabay/hbschw
You can never have too many of these, but do you know how long a dollar bill is in the U.S.?
4 inches
6 inches
8 inches
10 inches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A dollar bill measures 6.14 inches long and 2.61 inches wide. It weighs about a gram and has a portrait of George Washington on one side and the U.S. seal on the other.

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Golden Retriever
Shutterstock
What is the standard weight for a Golden Retriever?
35 to 45 pounds
45 to 55 pounds
55 to 65 pounds
More than 65 pounds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Golden Retriever typically weighs between 65 and 75 pounds. Many other canine species are much small, such as Beagles, which weigh 18 to 30 pounds, and Shih Tzus, which weigh 8 to 16 pounds.

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MackBook Air
Pixabay/Free-Photos
The MacBook Air is highly coveted by computer users who like to keep things light, but how much does the 13-inch version weigh?
3 pounds
5 pounds
8 pounds
10 pounds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Macbook Air has been a hit with many computer users since it came out in 2008. This wafer-thin laptop weighs just 3 pounds and measures around two-thirds of an inch thick.

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Baseball
Pixabay/2246794
Batter up! What's the circumference of a regulation baseball?
3 inches
6 inches
9 inches
12 inches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the Official Baseball Rules used by the MLB, a regulation baseball measures 9 to 9.25 inches in circumference. It weighs between 5 and 5.25 ounces and allows for some wicked curveballs and catches.

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Eiffel Tower
shutterstock
It's the symbol of Paris, but do you know how tall the Eiffel Tower is?
84 feet
384 feet
984 feet
1,384 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Named for engineer Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower sits in the heart of Paris. Opened in 1889, it's 984 feet tall, or 1,063 feet tall if you include the pointed tip at the top.

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Female
Rafael Elias/Moment/Getty Images
How tall is the average adult female in the U.S.?
4'9"
5'0"
5'4"
5'6"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The average U.S. woman is 5'4" tall. In the Netherlands, women range from 5'6' to 5'7" on average, while women in Malaysia are much shorter, varying between 5'0" and 5'1" on average.

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Football Field Width
Pixabay/skeeze
You probably know a football field is 100 yards long, but how long is a football at its widest point?
8 inches
11 inches
15 inches
17 inches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

No matter which side you took in Deflate-gate, the NFL maintains some pretty strict rules regarding the size of a football. The ball should be 11 to 12 inches long and weigh between 14 and 16 ounces.

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Human Brain
Getty/Image Source
How much does the human brain weigh?
1 pound
3 pounds
6 pounds
10 pounds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Your brain weighs around 3 pounds, which is about the same as a dolphin's brain. A sperm whale has a brain weighing in around 17 pounds.

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Basketball Rim
Pixabay/paulbr75
Nothing but net! How high are the rims on a basketball court?
8 feet
10 feet
12 feet
16 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Believe it or not, all those slam dunks in the NBA are happening on rims that sit 10 feet above the ground. The court itself measures 94 by 50 feet in the U.S., and slightly smaller internationally.

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Bowling Ball
Getty/bpablo
If you have dreams of being a pro bowler, this is the max your ball can weigh.
8 pounds
10 pounds
13 pounds
16 pounds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The U.S. Bowling Congress sets maximum ball weighs at 16 pounds for 10-pin games. Balls used in duckpin bowling typically weigh in between 2 and 4 pounds.

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The Great Pyramid of Giza
Shutterstock
Can you guess the height of the Great Pyramid of Giza, the last surviving of the seven ancient wonders?
145 feet
212 feet
305 feet
455 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The tallest of the three pyramids at Giza, the Great Pyramid measures 455 feet high but was closer to 481 feet when it was built between 2580 and 2560 BC. For more than 3,000 years, it was the tallest building in the world.

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Doorway
Getty/marje
What's the minimum width for most doorways in the U.S.?
24 inches
30 inches
36 inches
48 inches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A standard entry door measures 80 inches high by 36 inches wide. Three feet is the minimum width for a doorway to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the U.S.

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Golf Ball
Pixabay/MabelAmber
Before you step foot on the green, see if you can guess the diameter of a golf ball?
1.68 inches
2.75 inches
3.2 inches
4 inches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The USGA sets golf ball diameter minimums at 1.68 inches. The rubber and resin ball must have a mass of no more than 1.62 ounces.

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Mason Jar
Pixabay/davidraynisley
How many ounces can a pint-sized mason jar hold?
8 ounces
12 ounces
16 ounces
24 ounces
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mason jars have gone from canning necessity to everyday item. They are used for storing dry goods, holding flowers and may even serve as drinking glasses. A standard pint-sized jar holds 16 ounces.

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Soda Can
Getty/Jeffrey Coolidge
How many ounces are in a standard can of cola?
6 ounces
12 ounces
16 ounces
20 ounces
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A can of cola holds 12 ounces in the U.S., measures 4.83 inches high and has a diameter of 2.6 inches at the widest point. These cans, which are almost all made from aluminum today, have been used to hold soft drinks since the 1930s.

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Pool Table
Getty/Alex Bamford
How wide is a standard 9-foot long pool table?
3 feet
4.5 feet
7 feet
9 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pool tables in the U.S. have six pockets and are built at a 2:1 ratio. That means a table that is 9-foot long will measure 4.5 feet wide. The World Billiards Association only uses tables that are either 8 or 9-foot long, though other sizes are available for private use.

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Freedom Tower
Pixabay/12019
How tall is the Freedom Tower, aka One World Trade Center?
986 feet
1,792 feet
2,453 feet
7,521 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

At 1,792 feet tall, One World Trade has been the tallest building in the U.S. since 2013. It's the sixth tallest building in the world as of 2018, and visitors can take a peek out from its observation deck, which sits at 1254 feet above the ground.

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All Way Stop
Shutterstock
How wide is a standard Stop sign?
12 inches
24 inches
30 inches
48 inches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Stop signs in the U.S. are 30 inches across, with the white letters measuring 10 inches high. The signs are posted at a height of 7 feet in urban areas, but may be lower in rural settings.

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Swimming Pool
Getty/ferrantraite
How long is an Olympic swimming pool?
50 meters
100 meters
150 meters
200 meters
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An Olympic pool measures 50 meters long by 25 meters wide, or 164 feet by 82 feet. It's divided into 10 lanes that are each 8'2" wide.

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Hockey
Shutterstock
How long is an NHL hockey rink?
100 feet
150 feet
200 feet
300 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An NHL rink in North America measures 200 feet by 85 feet. Internationally, rinks are slightly smaller, at 197 feet by 98 feet.

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Hockey Puck
Getty/skynesher
How much does a hockey puck weigh?
1 ounce
2.5 ounces
5.5 ounces
12 ounces
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Made from vulcanized rubber, a hockey puck weighs 5.5 to 6 ounces. It's 1 inch thick and 3 inches in diameter.

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Airplane Seat
Getty/izusek
How wide is the average airplane seat in 2018?
12 inches
17 inches
24 inches
36 inches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A March 2018 article in USA Today puts the average airline seat width at just 17 inches. The average pitch, a measure of legroom, is just 31 inches, but can go much lower on cheaper airlines.

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Baby Grand Piano
Getty/Tom Merton
How much does a baby grand piano weigh?
200 to 300 pounds
300 to 500 pounds
500 to 800 pounds
800 to 1,000 pounds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A baby grand piano weighs between 500 and 800, while a grand piano can weigh up to 1,200 pounds. Small upright versions of the instrument weigh in between 300 and 400 pounds.

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Wood Pallet
Pixabay/FrancisRomeo
How wide is a standard wood pallet?
24 inches
36 inches
48 inches
72 inches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pallet standardization allows for standard equipment like pallet jacks, lifts and storage racks. In the U.S., pallets measure 48 inches by 40 inches by 6 inches and weigh 33 to 48 pounds.

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Paper Clips
Pixabay/Vitamin
How long is a regular paperclip?
1/2 inch
1-1/4 inch
2 inches
3 inches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A standard double-looped, gem-style paperclip measures 1-1/4 inches long. So-called jumbo clips measure in at a modest 1-3/4 inches.

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Washington Monument DC
Sarah8000/E+/Getty Images
How tall is the Washington Monument, a marble obelisk located on the National Mall?
221 feet
554 feet
901 feet
1453 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

At 554 feet, the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world from 1884 to 1889. Its world's tallest building title was snatched away by an iron structure in Paris, the Eiffel Tower.

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Pixabay/Vitamin