How many double-decker buses tall is that?
Newspapers have measured things in double-decker buses since the 1950s. One London bus is 4.38 m tall and 11.2 m long.
21.2 × a double-decker bus
93 m ÷ 4.38 m = 21.23 buses.
Reference figures are measurements and are rounded; the unit conversion behind them is exact.
| Reference | Size | Yours ÷ theirs | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| car | 1.45 m | 64.1× | |
| single-decker bus | 3.1 m | 30× | |
| school bus | 3.2 m | 29.1× | |
| double-decker bus | 4.38 m | 21.2× | A London Routemaster, standing on its wheels |
Worth knowing
- A London double-decker is 4.38 m tall — low enough for the city’s bridges, which is exactly why it is that height.
- Laid end to end rather than stacked, a bus is 11.2 m, so a football pitch is about nine buses long.
Frequently asked
Why do British newspapers measure things in buses?
Because a double-decker is instantly recognisable, roughly the size of a house, and everyone has stood next to one. Wales, Olympic swimming pools and Nelson’s Column serve the same purpose for area, volume and height.
How tall is a double-decker bus exactly?
Modern London buses are 4.38 m. Older Routemasters were 4.38 m too; the height is constrained by bridge clearances rather than design preference.