Things That Are Exactly 17 Inches Long Amazing Everyday
Seventeen inches is a measurement that often appears in daily life, whether you’re shopping for home decor, organizing your workspace, or working on a craft or DIY project. Understanding what 17 inches looks like can be helpful, especially if you don’t have a ruler on hand. To give you a better sense of scale, here are some common items that are typically around 17 inches long:
Table Lamp: Many standard table lamps stand about 17 inches tall, making them a good visual reference.
Medium-Sized Backpack: The height of a typical medium-sized backpack is about 17 inches.
Small Kitchen Cutting Board: Many cutting boards used in kitchens are around 17 inches in length.
Standard Pillow: A typical bed pillow is approximately 17 inches long.
Small Guitar: Travel guitars or smaller models often measure close to 17 inches in length.
Visually, 17 inches is longer than a standard sheet of paper (which is 11 inches) but shorter than most laptop screens. It’s a length commonly used for small shelving units, picture frames, and various electronics.
How to Measure 17 Inches
Measuring 17 inches accurately is straightforward if you have the right tools and know how to read them.
Using a Ruler or Tape Measure
Imperial Ruler: Most rulers and tape measures in the United States use the imperial system, marked in inches. Each inch is typically divided into smaller fractions: halves, quarters, eighths, and sixteenths.
Align the Zero Mark: Place the zero mark of your ruler or tape measure at one end of the object you want to measure.
Read the Measurement: Extend the ruler or tape measure along the length of the object until you reach 17 inches. The longest lines on the ruler represent whole inches, while shorter lines indicate fractions of an inch (such as 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16).
Digital Tools: If you don’t have a physical ruler, online tools can display an accurate ruler on your screen, allowing you to measure objects in both inches and centimeters.
| Object | Actual Measurement | Description/Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Table Lamp | ~17 in. tall | Typical height for a bedside or desk lamp |
| Medium-Sized Backpack | ~17 in. tall | Common size for school or travel backpacks |
| Small Kitchen Cutting Board | ~17 in. long | Used for food prep, especially for baguettes or large cuts |
| Standard Pillow | ~17 in. long | Standard length for bed pillows |
| Small Guitar (Travel Size) | ~17 in. long (body) | Body length of mini or travel guitars |
| Large Cucumber | ~17 in. long | Length of extra-large cucumbers |
| Wooden Name Plate (Large) | ~17 in. wide | Decorative sign for homes or offices |
| Laptop Screen (Diagonal) | ~17 in. (diagonal) | Screen size for large laptops |
| Standard Skateboard Deck | ~17 in. wide (mini) | Width of some mini or cruiser skateboard decks |
| Medium Dog (Shoulder Height) | ~17 in. tall | Shoulder height of small to medium dog breeds |
1. Standard Table Lamp
Measurement: ~17 inches tall
Description: A typical table lamp stands about 17 in. high, making it a perfect reference for this size.
Visualization Tip: Picture a lamp on your nightstand or desk—its height is just about 17 in.
2. Medium-Sized Backpack
Measurement: ~17 in. tall
Description: Many backpacks for school or travel are roughly 17 in. from bottom to top.
Visualization Tip: If you have a standard backpack at home, it’s likely close to this height
3. Small Kitchen Cutting Board
Measurement: ~17 inches long
Description: Some cutting boards are about 17 inches long, especially those designed for prep work or slicing baguettes.
Visualization Tip: Imagine laying out a baguette on your counter—the cutting board beneath it is probably close to 17 in.
4. Standard Pillow
Measurement: ~17 inches long
Description: A typical bed pillow is around 17 in. in length.
Visualization Tip: Hold up your pillow—that’s the length we’re talking about
5. Small Guitar (Travel Size)
Measurement: ~17 inches long (body length, not neck)
Description: Travel or mini guitars often have a body length near 17 in.
Visualization Tip: If you’ve seen a small guitar, its body is likely this size
6. Large Cucumber
Measurement: ~17 inches long
Description: Some extra-large cucumbers can reach up to 17 in. in length.
Visualization Tip: Think of a really long cucumber, almost as long as your forearm
7. Wooden Name Plate (Large)
Measurement: ~17 inches wide
Description: Many custom wooden name plates for homes are about 17 in. wide.
Visualization Tip: Imagine a decorative sign on your front door—that’s the size
8. Laptop Screen (Diagonal)
Measurement: ~17 inches (diagonal)
Description: A 17-inch laptop screen measures diagonally from corner to corner.
Visualization Tip: Picture a large laptop—its screen size is 17 in. across the diagonal
9. Standard Skateboard Deck
Measurement: ~17 inches wide (some mini or cruiser decks)
Description: Some skateboard decks, especially mini or cruiser styles, are about 17 in. wide.
Visualization Tip: If you’ve seen a small skateboard, its width is likely close to this.
10. Medium Dog (Shoulder Height)
Measurement: ~17 inches tall at the shoulder (for small to medium breeds)
Description: Some small or medium dog breeds stand about 17 in. tall at the shoulder.
Visualization Tip: Imagine a Beagle or Cocker Spaniel—their shoulder height is close to 17 in.
(FAQs)
1. Why is it useful to visualize 17 inches?
Understanding the actual size of 17 in. helps in everyday tasks like shopping for furniture, packing bags, or choosing the right size for home decor. Having a mental image of this measurement can save you time and hassle.
2. Are all the listed objects exactly 17 inches long?
Most of the items listed are approximately 17 in. long or tall, but there may be slight variations depending on the brand or specific model. Always check measurements when precision is important.
3. How else can I estimate 17 inches without a ruler?
You can use your forearm (which is about 18–19 in. from elbow to fingertips), stack two large books, or use a standard pillow as a quick reference. These methods give you a close approximation.
Conclusion
Visualizing measurements like 17 inches is easier when you compare them to everyday objects you encounter regularly. Whether you’re shopping for a new lamp, packing a backpack, or just curious about sizes, these real-life examples make abstract numbers much more relatable. Next time you need to estimate 17 inches, just think of one of these common items—it’s a handy trick for anyone!
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