42.78 centimeters is equal to 16.85 inches.
Comparisons:
1. A standard ruler is approximately 30 centimeters (12 inches), so 42.78 centimeters is just slightly longer than a ruler.
2. The average adult hand measures about 20 centimeters (8 inches), so 42.78 centimeters is more than twice the length of a hand.
3. A standard sheet of printer paper is 21.59 centimeters (8.5 inches) in width, so 42.78 centimeters is almost twice the width of a sheet of paper.
4. The length of a $1 bill is 15.6 centimeters (6.14 inches), so 42.78 centimeters is approximately 10 inches longer than a dollar bill.