12 Things That Are 20 Feet Long or Big in Size

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October 6, 2025

Have you ever wondered how long is 20 feet and what it actually looks like in real life? Numbers can be tricky to visualize until you compare them to everyday objects or real-world size examples. Whether you’re planning a construction project, setting up a home improvement task, or just curious about objects that are 20 feet long, understanding this measurement helps you see distance and scale more clearly.

In this article, we’ll explore 12 fascinating things that measure 20 feet, along with visual size comparisons, measurement conversions, and practical ways to estimate 20 feet without a tape. By the end, you’ll have a real sense of what 20 feet in meters, inches, or yards truly means.

What Does 20 Feet Mean in Simple Terms?

What Does 20 Feet Mean in Simple Terms?

To put it simply, 20 feet equals 6.096 meters, or about 240 inches. In yards, it’s roughly 6.67 yards.

When you think about how big is 20 feet, imagine standing next to a two-story building — that’s about the same height! You can also picture four large park benches placed end to end, or the length of a standard shipping container used in international transport.

Understanding 20 feet length comparison helps with:

  • Visualizing 20 feet length in design and planning.
  • Making accurate construction measurements.
  • Improving your ability to estimate distance by steps.

Read This Blog: 14 Common Things That Weigh 30 KG  

1. Standard Shipping Container

A 20-foot shipping container is one of the most recognized objects that are 20 feet long. It’s commonly used in global logistics and container homes.

These containers are 8 feet wide and 8.5 feet tall, offering around 1,170 cubic feet of space. For comparison, that’s enough room to fit most of your household furniture during a move.

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2. Two-Story Building Height

A typical two-story building reaches about 20 feet in height. This makes it a perfect reference for visualizing vertical distance.

When you think, “Is 20 feet the height of a building?” — the answer is yes, roughly equal to one. This comparison helps in architecture, urban design, and construction planning distances.

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3. Giraffe Height

The average adult giraffe stands close to 18–20 feet tall, making it one of the tallest land animals.

So, when you’re imagining 20 feet compared to animals, think of a full-grown giraffe reaching for the treetops — a great giraffe height comparison!

Related keywords: animal length examples, giraffe vs building height, nature size comparisons.

4. Blue Whale Calf

A baby blue whale — yes, just a calf — is about 20 feet long at birth. That’s the size of a London bus or half a basketball court!

This example shows how massive marine life can be, even at the start of their lives.

Related keywords: blue whale length, marine animal size, blue whale baby size vs 20 feet.

5. London Double-Decker Bus

The iconic London bus measures around 20 feet in length, making it another everyday 20 feet example that’s easy to visualize.

If you’ve ever stood beside one, you’ve seen what 20 feet looks like in real life.

Related keywords: London bus length, vehicle size comparison, visualizing 20 feet length.

6. Average Swimming Pool Width

A backyard swimming pool is often around 20 feet wide, especially for medium-sized rectangular pools.

This measurement helps in pool dimension standards, construction planning, and home improvement measurements.

Related keywords: pool width 20 feet, home design measurements, pool installation planning.

7. Extension Ladder

A 20-foot extension ladder is common for roof maintenance, tree trimming, or painting two-story homes.

Knowing ladder length comparisons helps ensure you reach safely without overextending.

Related keywords: ladder length, DIY measurement hacks, home improvement tools.

8. Flagpole Height

Standard flagpoles for homes and small offices are often 20 feet high, tall enough to display flags visibly without overwhelming the space.

This example connects flagpole installation height with everyday measurement examples.

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9. Small Moving Truck

A 20-foot moving truck is a common rental option for two-bedroom homes. It typically holds about 1,000 cubic feet of space.

This example shows real-world size comparisons that help when planning your next move.

Related keywords: truck length, moving van size, storage space planning.

10. Outdoor Tennis Court Width

The width of a doubles tennis court is just under 20 feet from the centerline to one sideline.

This makes it a great sports measurement example to visualize 20 feet compared to a court.

Related keywords: sports measurement examples, court comparison, basketball hoop height vs 20 feet.

11. Large Park Bench Chain

If you align four to five park benches in a row, you’ll cover about 20 feet in distance.

This everyday size comparison helps when estimating 20 feet by walking or arranging furniture layouts.

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12. Small Boat or Fishing Vessel

Many small fishing boats and personal sailboats are about 20 feet long, ideal for lakes and coastal cruising.

This dimension offers a mix of stability, maneuverability, and easy storage.

Related keywords: boat length 20 feet, marine vessel size, practical length examples.

How to Measure 20 Feet Without a Tape

How to Measure 20 Feet Without a Tape

If you don’t have a measuring tape handy, here are easy steps to measure 20 feet by walking:

  1. Know your stride: The average adult stride is about 2.5 feet.
  2. Walk 8 steps — that’s roughly 20 feet.
  3. Use visual length comparison tools or DIY measurement hacks to confirm.

These practical measurement techniques are great for DIY projects, home design, or construction estimates.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long is 20 feet in meters?

20 feet equals 6.096 meters, or about 6 meters for easy reference.

What everyday items are 20 feet long?

Items include a shipping container, moving truck, ladder, and small boat.

How can I measure 20 feet without a ruler?

Use your steps — about 8 strides make 20 feet, depending on your height.

Is 20 feet tall for a building?

Yes, it’s roughly the height of a two-story building.

How far is 20 feet visually?

Imagine four park benches or half a basketball court — that’s about 20 feet.

Conclusion

Now that you know 12 things that are 20 feet long, it’s easier to visualize distance, plan projects, and understand real-world scale. From shipping containers to giraffes, 20 feet appears more often than you might think!

Next time you need to estimate size or space, remember these 20 feet examples and use them as your visual guide.

Start visualizing 20 feet today to improve your sense of distance and design planning.

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