How Hail Is Measured

news image
Top Stories
26 Mar 2018 3:54 PM
How big are hailstones?  That definitely can depend on where you live and how strong an updraft the storm has that produces them! The best way to find out how large the hail might be that fell in your yard is to take an actual measurement. Depending on what the diameter is in inches will determine the size. The chart below, as provided by the Storm Prediction Center, shows how hail is typically measured.
 

HAIL SIZE (in.)

 

OBJECT ANALOG REPORTED

.50

Marble, moth ball

.75

Penny

.88

Nickel

1.00

Quarter

1.25

Half dollar

1.50

Walnut, ping pong

1.75

Golf ball

2.00

Hen egg

2.50

Tennis ball

2.75

Baseball

3.00

Tea cup

4.00

Softball

4.50

Grapefruit

The biggest hailstone ever measured was a whopper, and fell in South Dakota in 2010! https://twitter.com/NWSDesMoines/status/978368351843110913 If you have any videos or photos of hail, make sure to share them with us on our Facebook or Twitter pages! For WeatherNation, I'm Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo
All Weather News
More
Nor'easter Knocks Out Power, Hammers the Northeast This Weekend

Nor'easter Knocks Out Power, Hammers the Northeast This Weekend

A Nor'easter...in September? While most peopl

26 Sep 2026 11:00 AM
Nolo Brushing Hawaii as a Hurricane, Major Flooding Likely

Nolo Brushing Hawaii as a Hurricane, Major Flooding Likely

Residents in Hawaii are dealing with, yet aga

26 Sep 2026 10:55 AM
Tropical Update: Eastern Pacific Stays Active; Gonzalo forms in the Atlantic

Tropical Update: Eastern Pacific Stays Active; Gonzalo forms in the Atlantic

The Pacific Ocean has been incredibly active

26 Sep 2026 1:45 AM
Another Round of Flooding Possible for the Southwest Next Week

Another Round of Flooding Possible for the Southwest Next Week

In the last month, the southwest states of Ne

26 Sep 2026 12:25 AM
Major Flooding Possible in the Desert Southwest This Week

Major Flooding Possible in the Desert Southwest This Week

FLASH FLOODINGIt has been a very active week

24 Sep 2026 12:10 PM
More Flooding Concerns Out East

More Flooding Concerns Out East

WHAT TO EXPECTRecord rainfall fell this weeke

22 Sep 2026 1:45 PM
Severe Threat Continues In The Southeast

Severe Threat Continues In The Southeast

WHAT TO EXPECTSevere storms developed Monday

22 Sep 2026 1:20 PM