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
HALLOWEEN 2026: Is the weather a Trick or a Treat?

HALLOWEEN 2026: Is the weather a Trick or a Treat?

Hopefully the costume's picked out by now, th

30 Oct 2026 1:50 AM
Tropical Moisture From Vance Raises Flash Flood Concerns Across Texas Ahead of Halloween

Tropical Moisture From Vance Raises Flash Flood Concerns Across Texas Ahead of Halloween

A surge of tropical moisture associated with

30 Oct 2026 1:45 AM
Another Round of Heavy Rain Targets the Southwest This Weekend

Another Round of Heavy Rain Targets the Southwest This Weekend

The Southwest is getting active once again, j

30 Oct 2026 1:30 AM
Anniversary: Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall in Jamaica

Anniversary: Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall in Jamaica

NEW HOME, JAMAICA - October 28, 2025, will be

30 Oct 2026 1:00 AM
Sunny Day Flooding; King Tides Surge This Week

Sunny Day Flooding; King Tides Surge This Week

This week, the ocean is coming to low-lying a

29 Oct 2026 11:00 AM
Tornado Threat Develops Around the Twin Cities Today

Tornado Threat Develops Around the Twin Cities Today

Things are getting active again after a long

28 Oct 2026 10:00 PM
Tropical Storm Vance Weakens in the Pacific

Tropical Storm Vance Weakens in the Pacific

After becoming a hurricane last Friday, Vance

28 Oct 2026 9:45 AM