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Hail size chart

Weather spotters compare hailstones with everyday objects. The National Weather Service uses these sizes in its storm reports; hail 1 inch (quarter size) or larger is severe.

Hail size	Millimeters	Compared with	Severe
0.25 in	6 mm	pea
0.5 in	13 mm	marble
0.75 in	19 mm	penny
0.88 in	22 mm	nickel
1 in	25 mm	quarter	✓
1.25 in	32 mm	half dollar	✓
1.5 in	38 mm	ping pong ball	✓
1.75 in	44 mm	golf ball	✓
2 in	51 mm	hen egg	✓
2.5 in	64 mm	tennis ball	✓
2.75 in	70 mm	baseball	✓
3 in	76 mm	tea cup	✓
4 in	102 mm	grapefruit	✓
4.5 in	114 mm	softball	✓

Hail around 1 inch can dent cars and damage older shingles; golf-ball hail (1.75 in) and larger often breaks windows, skylights and siding. How much damage a storm does also depends on wind and the age of the roof.