When someone mentions 30 meters, it can be tricky to immediately picture how long that actually is. Whether you’re trying to measure space for construction, sports, or just out of curiosity, converting meters into real-world comparisons makes it easier to understand.
In this article, we’ll break down how long 30 meters really is and share 12 common distances and objects that measure about 30 meters in length.
Understanding 30 Meters in Simple Terms
- 30 meters = 98.4 feet (almost 100 feet)
- 30 meters = 32.8 yards (a little over ⅓ of a football field)
- 30 meters = 0.03 kilometers or 0.018 miles
So, 30 meters is not extremely long but it’s also not a short distance. It’s the kind of measurement that you’d notice in sports fields, swimming pools, and even in the size of some buildings.
12 Things That Are About 30 Meters Long
1. A Standard Swimming Pool
Olympic swimming pools are 50 meters long, so a 30-meter pool is just over half that size. Many community or training pools are built around this length.
2. Three School Buses
A typical U.S. school bus is about 10 meters long, so three buses lined up would stretch to 30 meters.
3. A Blue Whale
The blue whale, the largest animal on Earth, can grow up to 30 meters long—an astonishing living example of this measurement.
4. Ten Cars Parked End-to-End
Most average cars are around 3 meters long, so parking 10 cars in a row would reach about 30 meters.
5. Half a Running Track Straightaway
On a standard 400-meter athletics track, the straight section is 100 meters. Thirty meters is less than half of that stretch.
6. A Basketball Court
An NBA basketball court measures about 28.7 meters long, which is almost exactly 30 meters.
7. The Height of a 10-Story Building
On average, each story in a building is around 3 meters tall. A 10-story building would therefore stand at about 30 meters high.
8. Three Bowling Lanes
A bowling lane is about 10 meters long, so three lanes equal 30 meters.
9. A Volleyball Court × Two
A volleyball court is 18 meters long, so almost two courts placed back-to-back would measure close to 30 meters.
10. A Giant Sequoia Tree
Some mature Sequoia trees reach around 30 meters tall, though many can grow far taller.
11. A Large Commercial Airplane Wing
Some airplanes, like the Airbus A320, have wingspans close to 30–34 meters.
12. 15 Average Adults Lying Down
The average adult is about 2 meters tall, so laying 15 people head-to-toe would span about 30 meters.
Visualizing 30 Meters in Everyday Life
- Walking 30 meters would take an average adult about 35–40 steps.
- In time, if you sprint, you could cover 30 meters in 4–6 seconds.
- In home design, a 30-meter lot is considered quite spacious.
FAQs About 30 Meters
How far is 30 meters in feet?
30 meters is about 98.4 feet—just a little under 100 feet.
How long does it take to walk 30 meters?
The average walking speed is around 1.4 meters per second. That means walking 30 meters takes about 20–22 seconds.
How long does it take to run 30 meters?
A casual jogger could run 30 meters in 5–7 seconds, while professional sprinters might cover it in under 4 seconds.
How many steps is 30 meters?
For the average adult, one step covers about 0.75 meters. So 30 meters equals about 40 steps.
How many stories tall is 30 meters?
A typical building story is about 3 meters tall, so 30 meters equals a 10-story building.
Is 30 meters a long distance?
It depends on context. In sports, 30 meters is considered a short sprint distance. In construction or daily life, however, 30 meters is quite noticeable—like the length of a basketball court.
How many car lengths are in 30 meters?
Since most cars are about 3 meters long, 30 meters equals about 10 cars lined up bumper to bumper.
How does 30 meters compare to a swimming pool?
A standard Olympic pool is 50 meters, so 30 meters is a little over half its length.
Final Thoughts
So, how long is 30 meters? It’s roughly the size of a basketball court, three buses, or a blue whale. By comparing it to familiar objects, you can easily picture this distance without needing a tape measure.
Whether you’re into sports, nature, or just practical measurements, understanding 30 meters helps put real-world dimensions into perspective.