How big is a Block (geographic)?

Lowejackson · 03-29-08, 01:18

For sometime I have wondered how big is a block, in American films or TV programmes someone will say "it is only 2 blocks from here" but I have yet to understand what geographic area this covers. Does it take a minute to walk one block, is there a standard definition of the area

Heatgain · 03-29-08, 01:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowejackson

For sometime I have wondered how big is a block, in American films or TV programmes someone will say "it is only 2 blocks from here" but I have yet to understand what geographic area this covers. Does it take a minute to walk one block, is there a standard definition of the area

I can only answer from my experience growing up in NY. There are short blocks and long blocks, so, standard definition? No.
Having said that, it only takes a minute or two to walk a long block.

YoMike · 03-29-08, 01:35

usually from my NY knowledge is that 10 blocks equal a mile.

Setec Astronomy · 03-29-08, 01:37

Well, my definition of a block is the distance from one street to the next. As Heatgain notes, NYC is laid out in a grid of rectangles (well, parts of it), giving long blocks and short blocks. IIRC, 20 short blocks is a mile in NYC. This is not to be confused with big blocks in Cleveland or Windsor or from Chevrolet

lecchilo · 03-29-08, 03:29

In Chicago the usual block is 1/16th of a mile... a bigger block is 1/8th of a mile.

Yal · 03-29-08, 08:03

A block is the distance from one cross street to the next. It really has nothing to do with a fixed distance. Usually if someone says its x amount of "blocks" they mean that you can easily count the blocks as you go from one street to the next.

BigJimZ28 · 03-29-08, 08:24

City Blocks differ in size

Lowejackson · 04-01-08, 12:51

Thanks for all the replies

Danase · 04-01-08, 01:16

Yeah the differ tremendously. In my city the average block is 300-600 feet.

miahman98 · 04-02-08, 04:47

Setec Astronomy hit the nail on the head. Many cities are laid out like grids. And if you look at a map of one of these cities you will see exactly why they are called blocks. It also sounds cooler to say “I’m up three blocks from you” then it does to say “go north three intersections and that’s where I will be”.