Spaghetti comes in all different shapes and sizes. But how long and how thick is “normal” spaghetti? It can be quite confusing with all those different diameters and different names. That’s why we tell you exactly how long and how thick spaghetti is.
How long and thick is spaghetti?
Spaghetti is a stringy type of pasta. The length of spaghetti is about 25 centimeters. The thickness of spaghetti can vary, but most spaghetti is about 2 millimeters thick. These are the dimensions of a normal spaghetti. Extra-long spaghetti can sometimes be as long as 50 centimeters.
Spaghetti comes in different diameters and lengths. As mentioned, normal spaghetti is 25 centimeters long and about 2 millimeters thick. But there are many more varieties. That’s why we take a closer look at the length and thickness of the world-famous spaghetti
What is spaghetti?
Spaghetti is one of the most famous types of pasta and is eaten worldwide. And let’s face it, who doesn’t know this kind! A long stringy pasta type that you can experiment endlessly with and put the most delicious pasta dishes on the table.
The spaghetti is made from pasta dough pressed through a bronze mold. In the mold there are many small holes and this creates a long string-shaped pasta. This paste is hung out to dry and later cut to length.
You must have seen spaghetti in the supermarket. Usually spaghetti is packed in an oblong plastic bag or in an oblong box.
How long is spaghetti?
Spaghetti comes in different sizes, so it is difficult to answer this question right away. Normal spaghetti has a length of about 25 centimeters. The thickness is about 2 millimeters.
So assume that the spaghetti you see in the supermarket is about 25 centimeters. In fact, this is the most commonly used length and is the standard of measurement in Italy.
The purpose of spaghetti is that you can wrap the pasta string around your fork and then easily put it in your mouth. That’s why we think a spaghetti should be at least 25 cm. This way you can roll the string around your fork at least 4 times and it will stick to your fork. It’s so easy to eat!
Do you find it difficult to roll spaghetti around your fork and eat it? Then you can break the spaghetti before cooking it. This makes the spaghetti string a lot shorter and easier to eat.
Extra long spaghetti
In Italy there are more than 700 types of pasta, so you can already feel it coming … spaghetti also comes in multiple sizes. Of course, there are a number of different length spaghetti available. For example, there are extra long spaghetti strands and a number of shorter varieties.
Extra long spaghetti can sometimes be as long as 50 centimeters. This is a really long spaghetti string! Be warned because to get this string wrapped around your fork you have to be an experienced spaghetti eater.
The extra long spaghetti is often used in the better restaurants. You have probably seen a picture pass by of a beautiful plate of spaghetti, with all the spaghetti strands twisted upwards on the plate. This is usually done with extra long spaghetti strands. Because the spaghetti is longer, it is easier to serve such a nice plate of spaghetti.
How thick is spaghetti?
As with length, spaghetti comes in different thicknesses. The normal spaghetti string is about 2 millimeters thick. This is the diameter that is the standard in Italy.
It can be difficult to picture 2 millimeters, which is why we have a handy mnemonic for you: Your thumbnail is about 1 centimeter long. Look at your thumbnail and assume that 2 millimeters is about 20% of your nail. So that’s how thick spaghetti is. So 2 millimeters is the “normal” diameter of a spaghetti string.
Different thicknesses of spaghetti
Spaghetti comes in different thicknesses and this is where the confusion usually begins! Each pasta producer has its own way of indicating the thickness of the spaghetti.
Some producers use a number to indicate the thickness of spaghetti. You will see on the packaging: spaghetti #1,#2, etc. The annoying thing is that there is no general rule for the thickness of spaghetti. So each product may use a different thickness with a different number.
Other products choose to give the different spaghetti strands, different names. Where the spaghetti is 2 millimeters thick. A thinner variety is then called a spaghettini. An even thinner spaghetti is then called capellini. There is also a thicker spaghetti that is hollow. It is called bucatini.
So unfortunately we cannot give you a ready-made list of the universal thicknesses of each type of spaghetti. Take the “normal” spaghetti as a base and see if you want to use a thinner or thicker spaghetti.
What do you use thick or thin spaghetti for?
You’ll probably wonder why there are so many different types of spaghetti. This is because you can use each spaghetti for a different pasta dish.
Extra thin spaghetti, for example, can be used for the more delicate pasta sauces. Or rather, pasta dishes where little pasta sauce is used. If you have a dish where you use only a little seasoning and olive oil, then it is best to choose a thin spaghetti or capellini.
Are you making a full pasta sauce that has a lot of meat, fish or vegetables in it? Then you can choose a thick spaghetti string without any problems. Then choose the normal spaghetti. Or choose an even thicker and hollow variety such as a bucatini. This pasta string is hollow so that the pasta sauce also creeps into the spaghetti string. This makes your dish even more delicious.
Another fun variation that you’ve probably never eaten before is the stringhette. Difficult word, but it simply means “a square spaghetti string. With this type of pasta you will surprise all your dinner guests!
Will spaghetti fit in a storage jar?
If you’ve cooked spaghetti and you have some spaghetti left over, don’t worry. You can store spaghetti in several ways. In fact, we wrote a whole blog about it: storing pasta, how to do it?
But should you have some uncooked spaghetti left over, it’s best to store it in a storage jar. Most pasta storage jars are 27 centimeters or longer. A normal spaghetti string is 25 centimeters so spaghetti should fit in a storage jar without any problems.
On amazon, there are plenty of different storage canisters available.
We have already picked one with the right dimensions for you. Saves time and that way you have the right canister to store spaghetti.
Check out the stock can on amazon: