13 Everyday Items That Are Exactly 5 Millimeters Thick or Long
How thick or long 5 millimeters is? It’s a small unit, but knowing how long it really is can help you make more accurate measurements in everyday situations. Measuring small objects without a ruler can be tricky. How do you accurately gauge 5 mm?
In this article, we’ll explore 13 unique examples of objects that are exactly 5 mm long and show you how to use them to estimate the size of other objects.
How Long is 5 Millimeters?
Five millimeters (5 mm) is a small but important measurement often overlooked in daily life. It’s about half the width of a centimeter or 0.5 cm or 0.1969 inches. While it may seem tiny, 5 millimeters is frequently used to measure thin components in various objects like electronics, tools, and crafts.
To visualize it, imagine the width of a small button, the edge of a USB drive, or the thickness of a credit card. This small but precise measurement helps you compare objects in your daily surroundings, like the size of a phone case or a piece of paper. Although subtle, 5 millimeters plays a key role in ensuring accuracy and precision in small measurements.
Try Our Weight Conversion Calculator
1. Safety Pin
A safety pin is a unique and handy tool that measures approximately 5 millimeters in thickness. When closed, the width of the pin's mechanism is almost exactly 5 mm, which makes it a perfect reference for estimating small dimensions. To visualize this, think of how you would compare the thickness of a small object like a stack of paper or a thin slice of wood to the width of a safety pin.
How to Use This Comparison: If you’re trying to measure something compact, like the thickness of a small book or the edge of a notebook, just grab a safety pin. Its 5 mm width provides a quick comparison to help you gauge the size. This is useful when you're dealing with materials that need to fit into narrow spaces or when assembling delicate parts.
2. USB Flash Drive
A typical USB flash drive has a thickness of around 5 millimeters. This dimension can be helpful when estimating the size of small, compact objects. Imagine measuring the thickness of a set of thin business cards or the width of a memory card holder. The 5 mm thickness of a USB drive can serve as a reliable guide.
How to Use This Comparison: USB flash drives are often small and portable, with a consistent thickness. You can compare them to objects like small electronic gadgets or tech accessories to estimate their size. For instance, when determining the thickness of a camera lens cap or a slim wallet, knowing the size of a USB drive can help you make an educated guess.
3. Bicycle Tire Valve
The valve of a bicycle tire typically has a width of about 5 millimeters. This is an interesting object to compare with because many people may not realize the precise size of a valve. The valve stem is narrow but provides a consistent reference point for small measurements, especially for those in cycling.
How to Use This Comparison: When estimating the thickness of other small cylindrical objects like a small pen, marker, or even a toy's leg, you can use the bicycle tire valve as a reference. Simply imagine how it compares to the object in question by matching it visually.
For Slightly Smaller Measurements Read: How Thick is 3 Millimeters (mm)? 11 Everyday Examples You’ll Love
4. MacBook Pro Lid
The lid of a MacBook Pro measures around 5 millimeters in thickness. This may seem like a larger reference, but it’s an excellent way to visualize the size of an object that combines both thinness and durability. The thinness of the laptop’s lid makes it perfect for comparing objects like tablet covers, compact power banks, or small hardcover books.
How to Use This Comparison: Use the thickness of a MacBook Pro lid when trying to measure the size of a small electronic device, such as a tablet or portable hard drive. Simply picture the laptop lid’s thickness to estimate other tech components or slim devices.
5. Compact Mirror
A compact mirror, when closed, typically measures around 5 millimeters in thickness. These mirrors are widely used for personal grooming and are small enough to fit into a handbag, making them a great reference for estimating small, flat objects.
How to Use This Comparison: If you’re measuring something like the thickness of a small notebook, a wallet, or a set of photos, a compact mirror can give you a quick estimate. Simply compare the thickness of the object to the closed mirror to get a sense of its size.
6. Matchbook Cover
A matchbook cover is around 5 millimeters thick, making it an excellent reference for small objects. The cover itself is typically stiff cardboard, and its thickness is consistent. While matchbooks are less common than they used to be, they can still be found in some restaurants or bars and serve as a nostalgic measuring tool.
How to Use This Comparison: You can use a matchbook cover to gauge the thickness of other thin materials, like a sheet of paper or a small piece of cardboard. If you’re trying to visualize how thick something is, think about the compact, flat thickness of a matchbook cover.
7. Padlock Shackle
The shackle of a small padlock often measures around 5 millimeters in thickness. Padlocks are generally used for securing personal belongings, and the shackle is a part of the lock that many people encounter frequently. It provides an excellent point of reference for estimating small dimensions.
How to Use This Comparison: If you’re trying to determine the thickness of a small piece of metal, wire, or even plastic tubing, the padlock shackle can be used as a quick guide. Imagine the narrow, solid shackle when estimating the size of these objects.
8. Memory Card
A memory card, such as an SD card or microSD card, has a thickness of about 5 millimeters. These cards are small, portable storage devices, and their compact size makes them a convenient reference for estimating the thickness of other thin objects.
How to Use This Comparison: Memory cards are great for comparing the thickness of items like small cables, flash drives, or even small notebooks. Their size is consistent and easy to visualize, which makes them helpful when you're measuring small, flat objects.
9. Business Card
The thickness of a business card is typically 5 millimeters, making it a perfect reference for measuring the thickness of small paper or cardboard-based items. While not everyone may have business cards on hand, they are still common in professional settings.
How to Use This Comparison: Use a business card when you need to measure something like a credit card, a ticket, or any other thin, rectangular object. Imagine stacking a few cards together to get a sense of the size of similar objects.
10. Button on a Coat
The buttons on many coats, jackets, or shirts often measure around 5 millimeters in diameter. These buttons are often made from durable materials like plastic or metal, and their consistent size makes them ideal for quick measurement comparisons.
How to Use This Comparison: If you're trying to estimate the size of a small circular object, such as a coin or a small gear, the button on your coat can serve as a reliable reference. Think of the button’s diameter when comparing it to the size of other similar items.
11. Credit Card Edge
The edge of a credit card is approximately 5 millimeters thick. Credit cards are commonly used, and they offer a quick way to visualize a standard thickness. While many people are familiar with a credit card's size, the edge provides a distinct reference for small objects.
How to Use This Comparison: Credit cards are great for comparing other slim, rectangular objects, such as business cards, IDs, or thin plastic sheets. You can think of the credit card edge as a baseline when estimating the size of other similar items.
For Larger Comparison Read: 13 Everyday Items That Are Exactly 1 Meter Long (Interesting)
12. Bottle Cap
The cap of a bottle typically measures about 5 millimeters in thickness. This is a common and easy-to-visualized object, making it an excellent reference for estimating the size of small cylindrical objects.
How to Use This Comparison: When trying to estimate the thickness of small round items like lids, small tubes, or bottle caps, you can use a water bottle cap as a reference. Its consistent size makes it a reliable guide.
13. Wooden Craft Stick
A wooden craft stick, like a Popsicle stick, is about 5 millimeters in thickness. These sticks are commonly used in craft projects, and their consistent thickness makes them a great reference for estimating the size of other wooden or flat objects.
How to Use This Comparison: You can use a wooden craft stick to measure the thickness of other thin, flat objects, such as small strips of wood or plastic. Imagine stacking a few of them to get a sense of how thick something else might be.
Quick Comparison Table
| Object Example | Thickness (mm) | Visual Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Pin | 5 mm | Thickness of a safety pin |
| USB Flash Drive | 5 mm | USB drive reference |
| Bicycle Tire Valve | 5 mm | Valve stem thickness |
| MacBook Pro Lid | 5 mm | Thickness of the MacBook lid |
| Compact Mirror (Closed) | 5 mm | Closed compact mirror |
| Matchbook Cover | 5 mm | Matchbook cover thickness |
| Padlock Shackle | 5 mm | Padlock shackle diameter |
| Memory Card | 5 mm | Thickness of a memory card |
| Business Card | 5 mm | Business card thickness |
| Button on a Coat | 5 mm | Coat button size |
| Credit Card Edge | 5 mm | Credit card edge thickness |
| Bottle Cap | 5 mm | Cap of a bottle |
| Wooden Craft Stick | 5 mm | Craft stick thickness |
Conclusion
With these 13 examples of objects that measure around 5 millimeters, you now have a variety of tools to visualize and estimate this measurement. These references can help you easily gauge the size of other objects in everyday life, whether you’re crafting, measuring small tech items, or trying to make a quick estimation without precise tools.
Next time you're unsure about the thickness of something, use these objects as your reference, and you'll get a much clearer idea!
