The large intestine in humans is approximately 5 feet (about 1.5 meters) long. This length represents roughly one-fifth of the total length of the gastrointestinal tract
. Some sources note slight variation, with lengths generally ranging from about 1.1 to 2.1 meters in adults, but 1.5 meters is the commonly cited average
. The large intestine is wider than the small intestine, about 3 inches (7.6 to 8 centimeters) in diameter
. In summary:
- Length: ~5 feet (1.5 meters)
- Diameter: ~3 inches (7.6–8 cm)
This length includes the cecum, colon (ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid), rectum, and anus, with the colon being the longest segment of the large intestine
