how long is the small intestine in feet

The small intestine in an adult is usually about 10–16 feet long when measured inside the living body, with many medical references quoting an average around 15–22 feet depending on method and individual variation. When fully removed, emptied, and gently stretched (such as in anatomical studies), it can measure closer to 20–23 feet or more, which is why people often hear “around 20 feet long” as a common figure.