8 common Things That Are 500 Meters Long or Big

When you think of 500 meters long, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s the distance you can walk in a few minutes or the height of towering structures that seem to reach for the sky. In everyday life, 500 meters isn’t just a number, it’s a measurement that connects us to vast natural wonders, incredible feats of human engineering, and landmarks that define cities. Whether it’s something you can walk in just a few minutes or an iconic building that soars above the skyline, this distance provides a fascinating way to explore the world around us.

In this post, we’ll dive deep into the real-world examples of things that are exactly or close to 500 meters long or tall. Along the way, we’ll compare distances, explore famous landmarks, and understand how 500 meters fits into both our daily lives and larger-than-life structures. Let’s take a look.

How Far is 500 Meters?

If you’ve ever walked to a nearby store or across a park, you’ve likely covered 500 meters without thinking much about it. On average, it takes about 5 to 7 minutes to walk this distance, depending on your walking pace. Here’s a handy table that shows the estimated time it takes to walk 500 meters at different speeds:

Walking Pace	Speed (km/h)	Time to Cover 500 Meters
Leisurely	3 km/h	10 minutes
Moderate	4 km/h	7.5 minutes
Brisk	5 km/h	6 minutes
Fast	6 km/h	5 minutes

So, next time you’re heading out for a walk, keep in mind that 500 meters is a pretty manageable distance, especially at a brisk pace. For many people, walking 500 meters is the equivalent of walking about 1.5 football fields (assuming a football field is about 100 meters long).

Distance in Feet: How Does 500 Meters Compare?

For those who prefer measurements in feet, 500 meters translates to approximately 1,640 feet. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• 500 meters = 1,640 feet
• 1 meter = 3.28084 feet

Understanding this conversion can be helpful when you’re trying to visualize distances in different units, especially if you’re used to thinking in feet rather than meters.

How Big is 500 Meters?

One of the challenges of grasping 500 meters is understanding just how far that looks. Imagine standing on a city street and trying to spot something 500 meters away. Depending on your line of sight, it might not seem all that far, but it can still be difficult to gauge without any nearby reference points.

To make things more concrete, 500 meters is about half a kilometer or about 0.31 miles. For comparison, a standard city block is typically around 100 meters long, meaning 500 meters is roughly five city blocks. If you live in an urban area, you probably cross that kind of distance without even realizing it!

Now that we have a sense of how far 500 meters is, let’s move on to some impressive things that reach this length or height.

Read Related Blog: 15 Common Things That Are 30 Centimeters Long

Things That Are 500 Meters Long or Tall

Shanghai World Financial Center

The Shanghai World Financial Center is an iconic skyscraper in Shanghai, China. It stands at 492 meters tall and has 101 floors. Completed in 2008, it houses offices, hotels, and observation decks. Visitors enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the Huangpu River from its top floors. The building’s unique design includes a large rectangular hole near the top, earning it the nickname “the bottle opener.” Built to withstand strong winds and earthquakes, it showcases modern architecture and is a symbol of Shanghai’s skyline.

Structure	Height	Location	Main Purpose
Shanghai World Financial Center	492 meters	Shanghai, China	Offices, Hotels, Observation Decks
QueenB Television Tower	~500 meters	Tallinn, Estonia	Telecommunications
Richland Towers	~500 meters	Cedar Hill, Texas	Telecommunications
Angel Falls	979 meters (half height ~500 meters)	Venezuela	Natural Wonder (Waterfall)

QueenB Television Tower, Tallinn

The QueenB Television Tower in Tallinn, Estonia, is one of the tallest structures in the country. It reaches a height of around 500 meters, making it an essential part of Estonia’s telecommunications network. The tower plays a major role in broadcasting radio and television signals across the region. Its height ensures that signals reach even the most remote areas, helping people stay connected.

Besides its technical purpose, the QueenB Television Tower has become a landmark for Tallinn. It stands as a symbol of modern engineering and technological advancement. The tower is built with strong materials to withstand harsh weather conditions, ensuring that it remains standing for many years. The people of Tallinn are proud of this impressive structure, which is not just functional but also a major part of their city’s skyline.

Structure	Height	Location	Main Purpose
QueenB Television Tower, Tallinn	~500 meters	Tallinn, Estonia	Telecommunications
Shanghai World Financial Center	492 meters	Shanghai, China	Offices, Hotels, Observation Decks
Richland Towers	~500 meters	Cedar Hill, Texas	Telecommunications
Angel Falls	979 meters (half height ~500 meters)	Venezuela	Natural Wonder (Waterfall)

Angel Falls (Half the Height)

It has a total height of 979 meters, but when you split that in half, it measures around 500 meters, which is still incredibly tall. The water drops from the top of the Auyán-Tepui mountain in the Canaima National Park. The waterfall is so high that the water turns into mist before reaching the ground. This is why Angel Falls is a famous natural wonder, and people from all over the world travel to see it.

Half of Angel Falls’ height is equal to some of the tallest buildings and towers on Earth. Even at half its size, the waterfall is still taller than many structures. Its incredible height makes it one of nature’s most beautiful sights. Standing close to Angel Falls, you can feel the power of the water and see how amazing nature can be. This breathtaking waterfall shows the beauty and strength of the natural world.

Structure	Height	Location	Main Purpose
Angel Falls (Half the Height)	~500 meters	Venezuela	Natural Wonder (Waterfall)
QueenB Television Tower	~500 meters	Tallinn, Estonia	Telecommunications
Shanghai World Financial Center	492 meters	Shanghai, China	Offices, Hotels, Observation Decks
Richland Towers	~500 meters	Cedar Hill, Texas	Telecommunications

Richland Towers, Cedar Hill, Texas

Standing at nearly 500 meters, it helps broadcast TV and radio signals to a wide area. This tower ensures that people in the region can enjoy clear and reliable broadcasts. It’s a vital part of the local communications network and plays a key role in keeping people connected.

The tower is designed to handle strong winds and other weather conditions, which makes it very reliable. Because of its height and sturdy construction, the Richland Towers can reach areas far beyond Cedar Hill. This tower is a significant part of Texas’s broadcasting infrastructure, and it continues to serve the community effectively.

Structure	Height	Location	Main Purpose
Richland Towers, Cedar Hill, Texas	~500 meters	Cedar Hill, Texas	Telecommunications
QueenB Television Tower	~500 meters	Tallinn, Estonia	Telecommunications
Shanghai World Financial Center	492 meters	Shanghai, China	Offices, Hotels, Observation Decks
Angel Falls (Half the Height)	~500 meters	Venezuela	Natural Wonder (Waterfall)

Twice the Height of the Washington Monument

The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., is one of the tallest structures in the United States. It stands at 169 meters, making it an impressive sight. However, if you double its height, you get 338 meters, which is still shorter than 500 meters. To reach 500 meters, you’d need almost three times the height of the Washington Monument. This shows just how tall some structures around the world are compared to this historic monument.

Doubling the height of the Washington Monument gives you a better idea of how big 500 meters is. It’s a useful comparison because many people are familiar with the monument’s size. Standing twice as tall as the Washington Monument would make a structure very impressive, but 500 meters is still much taller. This helps us understand just how massive structures like skyscrapers and broadcasting towers really are.

Structure	Height	Location	Main Purpose
Twice the Height of the Washington Monument	338 meters (2x height)	Washington, D.C.	Historical Monument
Richland Towers, Cedar Hill, Texas	~500 meters	Cedar Hill, Texas	Telecommunications
QueenB Television Tower	~500 meters	Tallinn, Estonia	Telecommunications
Shanghai World Financial Center	492 meters	Shanghai, China	Offices, Hotels, Observation Decks

Three Times the Height of the Singapore Flyer Ferris Wheel

The Singapore Flyer Ferris Wheel is one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world. It stands at 165 meters tall, giving riders a stunning view of Singapore. If you multiply the height of the Singapore Flyer by three, you get a height of 495 meters, which is very close to 500 meters. This shows how big 500 meters is when compared to familiar landmarks like the Singapore Flyer.

Thinking about three times the height of the Singapore Flyer helps us picture just how tall 500 meters really is. At this height, a structure would tower over most buildings and landmarks around the world. This comparison helps us understand the massive scale of tall buildings and towers, and how they dominate the skyline.

Structure	Height	Location	Main Purpose
Three Times the Height of the Singapore Flyer Ferris Wheel	495 meters (3x height)	Singapore	Observation Ferris Wheel
Richland Towers, Cedar Hill, Texas	~500 meters	Cedar Hill, Texas	Telecommunications
QueenB Television Tower	~500 meters	Tallinn, Estonia	Telecommunications
Shanghai World Financial Center	492 meters	Shanghai, China	Offices, Hotels, Observation Decks

A 50-Story Building (General Approximation)

A 50-story building is a common type of skyscraper in many cities around the world. These buildings usually reach a height of about 150 to 200 meters. Each story, or floor, is generally about 3 to 4 meters tall. This height allows people to see amazing views from the top floors. Many of these buildings contain offices, apartments, or hotels, making them important for urban living.

In general, a 50-story building can be quite impressive. When you stand next to one, it feels very tall. Although it may not reach 500 meters, it is still a significant height compared to regular buildings. A 50-story building can change the look of a city skyline and shows the creativity of modern architecture.

Structure	Height	Location	Main Purpose
A 50-Story Building (General Approximation)	150 to 200 meters (approx.)	Various Cities	Offices, Apartments, Hotels
Richland Towers, Cedar Hill, Texas	~500 meters	Cedar Hill, Texas	Telecommunications
QueenB Television Tower	~500 meters	Tallinn, Estonia	Telecommunications
Shanghai World Financial Center	492 meters	Shanghai, China	Offices, Hotels, Observation Decks

Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge, Lisbon

The Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge is a famous bridge in Lisbon, Portugal. It connects Lisbon to the city of Almada, crossing the Tagus River. The bridge is about 2,277 meters long, making it one of the longest bridges in Europe. It has a striking red color, which makes it stand out against the blue sky and river. Many cars and trains use this bridge every day, making it an important part of the city’s transportation system.

The Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge was built in the 1960s. It looks similar to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco because of its design and color. People often take photos of the bridge to remember their visit to Lisbon. The view from the bridge is beautiful, with the river and the city visible from both sides. This bridge is not only a way to cross the river but also a symbol of Lisbon’s history and development.

Structure	Height	Location	Main Purpose
Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge, Lisbon	2,277 meters	Lisbon, Portugal	Road and Rail Traffic
Richland Towers, Cedar Hill, Texas	~500 meters	Cedar Hill, Texas	Telecommunications
QueenB Television Tower	~500 meters	Tallinn, Estonia	Telecommunications
Shanghai World Financial Center	492 meters	Shanghai, China	Offices, Hotels, Observation Decks

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Conclusion

As we’ve explored in this post, 500 meters is a significant distance that can be found in a wide range of structures and landmarks, from natural wonders like Angel Falls to incredible feats of human engineering like the Shanghai World Financial Center and broadcast towers. Whether you’re walking that distance or marveling at the height of a towering building, 500 meters is a versatile and visually impressive measurement.