How long is a typical cucumber?
A typical cucumber is about 21 cm (8.27 in) long.
Size source: ars.usda.gov
Compared with things you know
- About 2.5 times the width of a credit card (8.56 cm)
- About 88% of the width of a basketball (24 cm)
- About 12% as long as an adult bicycle (1.75 m)
Cucumber dimensions
| Measurement | Metric | Imperial | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 21 cm | 8.268 in | [1] |
| Maximum diameter (U.S. No. 1) | 6.03 cm60.3 mm | 2.374 in | [2] |
Standard: USDA United States Standards for Grades of Cucumbers (2016)
Cucumber size rules by grade[2][3]
| U.S. Fancy / U.S. No. 1 minimum length | 15.2 cm (6 in)at least 6 in long, no more than 2 3/8 in across |
|---|---|
| U.S. No. 2 minimum length | 12.7 cm (5 in)at least 5 in long |
| U.S. No. 1 Small diameter | 3.81–5.08 cm (1.5–2 in)1 1/2 to 2 in across, no length rule |
| U.S. No. 1 Large minimum diameter | 5.71 cm (2.25 in)at least 2 1/4 in across, at least 6 in long unless otherwise specified |
| Greenhouse cucumber minimum length | 27.9 cm (11 in)at least 11 in long unless otherwise specified |
Typical cucumber size
USDA nutrition data uses a whole cucumber with peel that is 8 1/4 in (21 cm) long and weighs about 301 g. The USDA grade standard for cucumbers sets, for U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1, a minimum length of 6 in (15.2 cm) and a maximum diameter of 2 3/8 in (6.0 cm). Diameter means the greatest dimension at right angles to the long axis, not counting warts.[1][2]
Grade and type rules
Length rules differ by grade and by type. The USDA standard for greenhouse cucumbers sets a minimum length of 11 in (27.9 cm) unless otherwise specified, much longer than the 6 in minimum in the standard grades. U.S. No. 2 allows cucumbers as short as 5 in (12.7 cm). Every grade excludes overgrown cucumbers, meaning those past the best stage for slicing, which can have tough, fibrous seeds and watery pulp.[2][3]
Small and large grades
The USDA standard has two extra grades for cucumbers that meet U.S. No. 1 requirements except for size. U.S. No. 1 Small covers cucumbers 1 1/2 to 2 in (3.8 to 5.1 cm) across, with no length requirement. U.S. No. 1 Large covers cucumbers at least 2 1/4 in (5.7 cm) across and, unless otherwise specified, at least 6 in (15.2 cm) long, with no maximum diameter or length.[2]
Did you know?
A raw cucumber is about 95% water, and botanically it is a type of berry called a pepo.
Questions people ask
How long is the average cucumber?
USDA publishes no average length. Its nutrition data uses a whole cucumber with peel that is 8 1/4 in (21 cm) long.[1]
How long is a cucumber in cm?
USDA's reference cucumber is 21 cm long. The top USDA grades require at least 15.2 cm (6 in), and greenhouse cucumbers at least 27.9 cm (11 in) unless otherwise specified.[1][2][3]
How wide is a cucumber?
A U.S. No. 1 cucumber may be no more than 2 3/8 in (6.0 cm) across. The U.S. No. 1 Small grade covers cucumbers 1 1/2 to 2 in (3.8 to 5.1 cm) across.[2]
Sources
- USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy 168409): Cucumber, with peel, raw – food portions fdc.nal.usda.gov
- United States Standards for Grades of Cucumbers (USDA AMS, September 6, 2016) ams.usda.gov
- United States Standards for Grades of Greenhouse Cucumbers (USDA AMS, effective September 5, 1985) ams.usda.gov
