US quarter dollar Exact Size

A US quarter (25 cents) is 24.26 mm (0.955 in) in diameter, 1.75 mm thick, and weighs 5.67 grams. It has a reeded (grooved) edge with 119 ridges, and its cupronickel-clad composition has been unchanged since 1965.

This guide covers the exact quarter dimensions, why it has ridges on the edge, how it compares to the nickel, penny, and half dollar, and how it works as a quick measuring reference.

Quick Answer: How Big Is a Quarter?

A US quarter is 24.26 mm across, 1.75 mm thick, weighs 5.67 g, and has 119 reeds on its edge. Its face-value stack rate is about $4.00 per 25 mm of height (about 14 quarters).

US Quarter Dimensions at a Glance

• Diameter: 24.26 mm, the largest circulating US coin except the rarely seen half dollar and dollar
• Thickness: 1.75 mm, the thickest of the common coins (penny, nickel, dime, quarter)
• A roll of 40 quarters is about 70 mm long and weighs 227 g ($10 face value)
• Stack height: about 14 quarters make 25 mm (1 inch)
• Diameter reference: close to 1 inch minus about 1 mm

What Does a Quarter Look Like in Size?

A quarter is a little under an inch across, about the width of an adult thumbnail, and close to the diameter of a AAA battery plus a bit. It is the coin most Americans reach for when they need a rough ruler: it is almost exactly 24 mm, so four quarters in a row are close to 97 mm.

6 Everyday Comparisons for a US Quarter

1. A US nickel (21.21 mm) is 3.05 mm smaller and 5.0 g.
2. A US penny (19.05 mm) is 5.21 mm smaller and 2.5 g.
3. A US half dollar (30.61 mm) is 6.35 mm larger and 11.34 g, exactly twice a quarter’s weight.
4. A golf ball (42.7 mm) is about 1.76 quarters across.
5. A AAA battery (10.5 mm diameter) is less than half a quarter’s diameter.
6. A 2 euro coin (25.75 mm) is 1.49 mm larger than a quarter.

US Quarter Size in Different Units

Why the Quarter Has Ridges

The reeded edge is a holdover from when coins contained precious metal. Ridges made it obvious if someone had shaved metal off the rim (“clipping”), because a filed edge would be smooth. Modern quarters have no silver, but the 119 reeds remain, and they also help the visually impaired and vending machines tell a quarter from a same-diameter slug. The penny and nickel, which were never silver, have plain edges.

Common Mistakes When Comparing US Quarter Dimensions

1. Calling a quarter “one inch.” It is 24.26 mm, about 1 mm under an inch.
2. Assuming all silver-era quarters weigh the same as modern ones. Pre-1965 90% silver quarters weigh 6.25 g, not 5.67 g.
3. Thinking the quarter is the biggest US coin. The half dollar (30.61 mm) and dollar coins are larger, just uncommon in circulation.
4. Ignoring the edge when identifying coins by feel. The quarter and dime are reeded; the penny and nickel are not.
5. Using a worn quarter as a precise gauge. Circulation wears the rim; a new coin is the reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the diameter of a quarter?

24.26 mm (0.955 in).

How much does a quarter weigh?

5.67 g for modern clad quarters; pre-1965 silver quarters weigh 6.25 g.

How thick is a quarter?

1.75 mm.

How many ridges are on a quarter?

119 reeds.

Why does a quarter have ridges?

Originally to deter people shaving metal from the edge of silver coins; now they aid identification.

How many quarters make an inch when stacked?

About 14.

Final Takeaway

A US quarter is 24.26 mm across, 1.75 mm thick, and 5.67 grams, with 119 ridges on its reeded edge. It is larger and heavier than a nickel or penny, a little under an inch wide, and its consistent size makes it a handy quick measuring reference.