Reference Guide
Hail Size Guide (Household Item Comparisons)
If you’ve ever wondered, “Was that quarter-size hail or golf ball hail?”, this guide gives you a clear visual reference. Each comparison includes typical damage expectations for roofs, vehicles, siding, and windows so you can better understand what a storm may have done.
Safety first: Don’t go outside to measure hail while it’s falling. Use photos after the storm.
Document it: Place hail next to a ruler or a coin and take a clear photo for records/claims.
Context matters: Wind speed, hail density, roof age, and materials can move damage up or down.
Quick Reference
Jump to a type for details. Ranges are in inches (diameter).
| Diameter | Compared To | |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25" | Pea | Details |
| 0.50" | Marble | Details |
| 0.75" | Penny | Details |
| 0.88" | Nickel | Details |
| 1.00" | Quarter | Details |
| 1.25" | Half-Dollar | Details |
| 1.50" | Ping-Pong Ball | Details |
| 1.75" | Golf Ball | Details |
| 2.00"–2.25" | Hen Egg | Details |
| 2.50" | Tennis Ball | Details |
| 2.75" | Baseball | Details |
| 3.00"–3.25" | Tea Cup | Details |
| 3.50"–3.75" | Softball | Details |
| 4.00"–4.50" | Grapefruit | Details |
| 4.75"–5.25" | DVD | Details |
| 5.50"–8.00" | Giant | Details |
Detailed Type Breakdowns
Notes: These are general expectations, not guarantees. If you need event-specific proof for an address, use a StormerSite hail history report.
0.25" • Pea
Hail of this size rarely damages property.
Property
- Mostly nuisance hail (noise + minor plant bruising).
- Little to no damage to buildings.
Roofs
- No functional roof damage expected.
- Occasional cosmetic granule scuffing on older shingles.
Vehicles
- No denting expected.
Notes
- If it’s dense and wind-driven, tiny marks on soft metals are possible.
0.50" • Marble
Hail of this size rarely damages property.
Property
- Mostly nuisance hail (noise + minor plant bruising).
- Little to no damage to buildings.
Roofs
- No functional roof damage expected.
- Occasional cosmetic granule scuffing on older shingles.
Vehicles
- No denting expected.
Notes
- If it’s dense and wind-driven, tiny marks on soft metals are possible.
0.75" • Penny
At this hail size, soft aluminum items such as vents and HVAC coils are damaged.
Property
- Can dent soft aluminum (gutters, vents) and bend window screens.
- Vegetation damage possible.
Roofs
- Older 3-tab shingles may bruise.
- Minor granule loss possible.
Vehicles
- Denting is uncommon but can occur with strong wind gusts.
Notes
- This is where 'cosmetic vs functional' arguments begin.
0.88" • Nickel
Damage can occur to vegetation, soft woods, and aged 3-tab shingles.
Property
- Can dent soft aluminum (gutters, vents) and bend window screens.
- Vegetation damage possible.
Roofs
- Older 3-tab shingles may bruise.
- Minor granule loss possible.
Vehicles
- Denting is uncommon but can occur with strong wind gusts.
Notes
- This is where 'cosmetic vs functional' arguments begin.
1.00" • Quarter
Property
- Dents to gutters/downspouts likely.
- Siding chips/cracks possible, especially vinyl.
- Screens often torn.
Roofs
- Bruising becomes more likely.
- Granule loss + mat damage possible on older/brittle shingles.
Vehicles
- Light to moderate dents likely.
- Mirror housings and trim can be damaged.
Notes
- Photograph stones next to a ruler/coin for documentation.
1.25" • Half-Dollar
Property
- Dents to gutters/downspouts likely.
- Siding chips/cracks possible, especially vinyl.
- Screens often torn.
Roofs
- Bruising becomes more likely.
- Granule loss + mat damage possible on older/brittle shingles.
Vehicles
- Light to moderate dents likely.
- Mirror housings and trim can be damaged.
Notes
- Photograph stones next to a ruler/coin for documentation.
1.50" • Ping-Pong Ball
Property
- Broken window screens likely.
- Some window glass breakage possible.
- Exterior fixtures damaged.
Roofs
- Functional shingle damage likely.
- Higher chance of leaks later from fractures.
Vehicles
- Moderate to severe denting likely.
- Windshields can crack with wind-driven impacts.
Notes
- Consider this a 'high claim probability' size range.
1.75" • Golf Ball
Property
- Broken window screens likely.
- Some window glass breakage possible.
- Exterior fixtures damaged.
Roofs
- Functional shingle damage likely.
- Higher chance of leaks later from fractures.
Vehicles
- Moderate to severe denting likely.
- Windshields can crack with wind-driven impacts.
Notes
- Consider this a 'high claim probability' size range.
2.00"–2.25" • Hen Egg
Property
- Window glass breakage likely.
- Siding damage widespread.
- AC fins/coils heavily damaged.
Roofs
- Widespread shingle fractures and significant granule loss likely.
- Skylights and soft roof vents at risk.
Vehicles
- Severe denting likely.
- Glass failure risk increases fast with wind.
Notes
- Seek shelter immediately: serious injury risk outdoors.
2.50" • Tennis Ball
Property
- Window glass breakage likely.
- Siding damage widespread.
- AC fins/coils heavily damaged.
Roofs
- Widespread shingle fractures and significant granule loss likely.
- Skylights and soft roof vents at risk.
Vehicles
- Severe denting likely.
- Glass failure risk increases fast with wind.
Notes
- Seek shelter immediately: serious injury risk outdoors.
2.75" • Baseball
Property
- Major exterior damage; windows commonly fail.
- Roof accessories and vents often destroyed.
Roofs
- Severe functional damage likely; full replacement common.
- Decking damage possible in extreme density.
Vehicles
- Severe damage likely; windshields commonly fail.
- Total-loss appearance possible.
Notes
- Treat as a life-safety event. Stay away from windows.
3.00"–3.25" • Tea Cup
Property
- Major exterior damage; windows commonly fail.
- Roof accessories and vents often destroyed.
Roofs
- Severe functional damage likely; full replacement common.
- Decking damage possible in extreme density.
Vehicles
- Severe damage likely; windshields commonly fail.
- Total-loss appearance possible.
Notes
- Treat as a life-safety event. Stay away from windows.
3.50"–3.75" • Softball
Property
- Catastrophic property damage possible.
- Structural impacts and widespread glass failure likely.
Roofs
- Penetration/structural damage possible depending on speed and density.
Vehicles
- Extreme damage likely.
Notes
- This is rare, often record-setting hail.
4.00"–4.50" • Grapefruit
Property
- Catastrophic property damage possible.
- Structural impacts and widespread glass failure likely.
Roofs
- Penetration/structural damage possible depending on speed and density.
Vehicles
- Extreme damage likely.
Notes
- This is rare, often record-setting hail.
4.75"–5.25" • DVD
Property
- Extremely rare 'giant hail' range.
- Catastrophic damage potential; treat as flying ice projectiles.
Roofs
- Penetration and structural damage possible.
- Expect widespread destruction of roof accessories, skylights, and siding.
Vehicles
- Very high likelihood of severe glass failure and heavy body damage.
Notes
- If warnings mention 'destructive hail', take them literally.
5.50"–8.00" • Giant
Property
- Extremely rare 'giant hail' range.
- Catastrophic damage potential; treat as flying ice projectiles.
Roofs
- Penetration and structural damage possible.
- Expect widespread destruction of roof accessories, skylights, and siding.
Vehicles
- Very high likelihood of severe glass failure and heavy body damage.
Notes
- If warnings mention 'destructive hail', take them literally.
FAQ
How is hail size measured?
Hail size is measured by the diameter of a hailstone (its widest point), typically reported in inches.
Why do coin comparisons exist if hail isn’t perfectly round?
Coins are a fast reference. Real hail can be jagged, layered, or oblong, so the coin is a quick “close enough” visual.
Can smaller hail still damage roofs?
Yes. Old/brittle shingles, high winds, and very dense hail can produce damage at sizes that might otherwise be cosmetic.