We've all done it, looked carefully at something on a sales table then brought it home only to find out it is too large or too small for the place we wanted to use it. Here are some easy ways to estimate measurement based on things you almost always have with you. Of course, it is easiest to estimate scale if you take along a person sized to the correct scale. Carry one from this printable set and you'll be able to see if that motorbike or car is close to the right scale for your collection.
Measurements based on your body.
One Inch (2.5 cm) - is roughly the measure from the top knuckle on your thumb to your thumb tip. Measure yours to see how close it is to one inch. You should always have a thumb handy for a guide!
Four Inches or one hand for measuring horses is roughly the width of most people's hands measured across your bottom knuckles (without the thumb).
One Yard is roughly the distance from your nose, to the bent fingers on your outstretched hand if you want to measure one meter, use your arm with fingers extended as 1m is roughly 39 inches. This is an easy way to estimate yards and meters of cord, fabric or ribbon.
From your bent elbow to the tips of your fingers is between 15 and 18 inches (35- 48 cm) for most people. A woman's size 9 foot (US and Canada) is usually ten inches long. In Europe this is a size 40 and in the UK size 6 1/2
Measurements based on common papers.
A standard business card is 3 1/2 inches long and 2 inches high
Standard credit and id cards are 3 3/8 inches by 2 1/8 inches. (5.4 x 8.5 cm)
Coins and Bill A US dollar bill is 2 7/12 inches tall by 6 1/6 inches long. (Canadian bills are 6 inches long by 2 3/4 inches tall.) A one cent coin is 3/4 of an inch across. A quarter is just under one inch across.
Standard Furniture Measurements use these to check for rough scale when buying pieces
Standard modern doors are six foot six (198 cm) to six foot eight inches (203 cm) high
A dining room table surface is usually 30 inches (76 cm) from the ground.
The seat of a dining room chair is usually 15-17 inches (38 -43 cm) from the floor.
