How Big is 5 Millimeters (mm)? 12 Common Examples

It’s important to have a clear understanding of what each unit represents. One commonly used unit is the millimeter (mm), which is a standard unit of length in the metric system. But how big is 5 millimeters (mm)? 

5 mm is equivalent to 0.5 centimeters, 0.1969 inches, or 0.0164 feet.

In this post, I will explore the size of 5 millimeters (mm) and provide examples of objects that are 5 mm thin.

The Size of 5 Millimeters (mm)

So, how big is 5 millimeters (mm)? To put it into perspective, 5 millimeters is approximately the thickness of two dimes stacked together. It’s also equivalent to 0.5 centimeters, 0.1969 inches, or 0.0164 feet.

When it comes to everyday objects, 5 millimeters is a relatively small size. For example, the average thickness of human hair is around 0.1 millimeters, which means that 5 millimeters is 50 times thicker than human hair.

Common Objects That Are 5 mm Thick

50 Sheets of Paper

sheet of paper

A standard sheet of paper is typically 0.1 millimeters thick. Therefore, 50 sheets of paper stacked together would have a total thickness of approximately 5 millimeters. 

It’s important to note that the exact thickness can vary depending on the type of paper, weight, and size of the sheets.

Wedding Ring

ring

A wedding ring is a type of ring that is typically worn by a person to symbolize their marriage. It is usually made of precious metals such as gold, silver, or platinum and may be decorated with diamonds or other gemstones. 

The thickness of a wedding ring can vary depending on the design and materials used, but on average it is about 3-5 millimeters thick.

Standard Dice

dice

Standard dice are small, cube-shaped objects that are commonly used in games of chance and gambling. 

They have six sides, with each side marked with a different number of dots or pips, ranging from 1 to 6. The thickness of a standard die is usually around 5-10 millimeters.

3 Nickels

nickel

Nickels are a type of coin used in the United States currency system. Each nickel is worth five cents and features the profile of Thomas Jefferson on one side and Monticello, his Virginia home, on the other.

The thickness of a single nickel is around 1.95 millimeters, so the combined thickness of three nickels would be approximately 5.85 millimeters. Which is very close to 5 mm

4 Cd’s

cd

A CD, short for compact disc, is a digital optical disc used to store and play audio, video, and other types of data. A standard CD has a diameter of 120 millimeters and a thickness of 1.2 millimeters. So, the combined thickness of four CDs would be around 5 millimeters.

Pencil Top Eraser

eraser

A pencil top eraser is a small eraser that is designed to be placed on the end of a pencil. It is used to remove mistakes and errors made when writing or drawing with a pencil. 

Pencil top erasers come in various shapes and sizes, but the typical thickness of a standard pencil top eraser is around 5-6 millimeters.

2 USB C Ports

usb c

USB-C ports are a type of connector that is commonly used for data transfer and charging in electronic devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. 

The thickness of a single USB-C port can vary depending on the device it is on, but it typically ranges from 1.83 to 2.87 millimeters. 

So, the combined thickness of two USB-C ports would be approximately 5 millimeters.

Small Hex Nut

hex nut

A hex nut is a type of fastener that has six sides and is used to secure bolts, screws, or other threaded parts. Small hex nuts are usually made of metal and are commonly used in machinery, electronics, and other mechanical applications. 

The thickness of a small hex nut can vary depending on its size, but on average, it is around 4-5 millimeters thick.

20 Playing Cards

playing cards

A standard playing card is a rectangular piece of paper or plastic that is used in various games, including poker, bridge, and solitaire. 

The size of a standard playing card is 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches (63.5 mm by 88.9 mm), and the thickness of a single card is around 0.25 millimeters. 

So, the combined thickness of 20 playing cards would be approximately 5 millimeters (0.25 mm x 20).

Electric Cable

cable

An electric cable is a flexible, insulated wire used for transmitting electrical power or signals. 

The thickness of an electric cable can vary depending on its type and purpose, but a cable with a thickness of 5 millimeters is relatively thick and would likely be used for heavy-duty applications such as industrial machinery or high-voltage power transmission.

Related: 15 Common Things That Are 2 Millimeters

5 Millimeter Marking on a Ruler

5 millimeters

A ruler is a measuring tool used to measure length or distance. A ruler with markings every millimeter is commonly used in scientific, engineering, or technical fields where precise measurements are required. 

A marking of 5 millimeters on a ruler is a relatively small increment and is equivalent to 0.5 centimeters or 0.1969 inches.

Remote Button

remote

A remote button is a small, usually circular, button found on remote controls used to operate electronic devices such as televisions, DVD players, or gaming consoles. 

Related: Things That Are 1 Centimeter Long

The thickness of a remote button can vary depending on the design and the materials used, but typically they are around 5 millimeters thick.

FAQs

How big is 5mm visually?

Visually, 5mm is quite small. It’s approximately the size of a sesame seed or a small button.

What is the actual size of 5 mm?

The actual size of 5mm is 0.5 centimeters or 0.1969 inches.

What does 5mm look like on a ruler?

On a standard ruler, 5mm is usually marked with a small line between the 4mm and 6mm lines.

What is 5 mm tall?

5mm is a unit of length, so it’s not typically used to describe height. However, if we assume that you’re asking about the height of an object that’s 5mm thick, then its height would depend on its overall dimensions.

What size is 1mm?

1mm is a unit of length that’s equivalent to 0.1 centimeters or 0.03937 inches. It’s approximately the thickness of a fingernail.

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