Common Hailstone Size Comparisons

Common Coin Sizes Inches
Dime 0.70
Penny 0.75
Nickel 0.83
Quarter 0.955
Half Dollar 1.02
Dollar 1.04



Object Inches Meters
Pea 0.24 5-9
Small Marble 0.51 10-15
Walnut/Ping Pong Ball 1.5 16-20
Golfball 1.7 21-30
Lime/Hen Egg 2.0 31-40
Tennis Ball 2.5 41-50
Baseball 2.8 51-60
Apple/Tea Cup 3.0 61-75
Grapefruit 4.3 76-90
Softball 4.5 91-100
Computer CD 5.0 >100



Typical Hail Diameter (mm) Typical Damage Impacts
5 No damage
5-15 Slight general damage to plants, crops
10-20 Significant damage to fruit, crops, vegetation
20-30 Severe damage to fruit and crops, damage to glass and plastic structures, paint and wood scored
25-40 Widespread glass damage, vehicle bodywork damage
30-50 Wholesale destruction of glass, damage to tiled roofs, significant risk of injuries
40-60 Bodywork of grounded aircraft dented, brick walls pitted
50-75 Severe roof damage, risk of serious injuries
60-90 Severe damage to aircraft bodywork
75-100 Extensive structural damage. Risk of severe or even fatal injuries to persons caught in the open
>100 Extensive structural damage. Risk of severe or even fatal injuries to persons caught in the open