When you need a quick measurement and have no ruler around, the common objects you have in your wallet can give you an approximation. Here are the dimensions for US paper money, coins, credit cards, and business cards—handy to know.


From The New York Times Practical Guide to Practically Everything:

At a flea market with no tape measure? Use a dollar bill (or any denomination). A bill is 6 1/18 inches long. For measuring smaller areas, use a coin. A quarter is approximately 1 inch in diameter; a penny is 3/4 inches in diameter. It pays to know that a credit card is 3 3/28 by 2 1/8 inches; a business card is generally 3 5/8 x 2 inches.


We've mentioned the dollar bill ruler tip before, but now you can use other items in your wallet to get close measurements of stuff around you on the go.

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Photo by Elke Sisco