Each step along the scale represents a tenfold change. Illustrations share one linear scale; positions are arranged for comparison and do not represent actual distances.

Sizes are rounded representative values. Organisms vary, and cosmic structures have uncertain boundaries. Photographic cutouts and astronomical imagery are combined with illustrative diagrams where photographs are not appropriate. Microscopic colours are illustrative. See asset credits for image sources. Massive elementary particles use reduced Compton wavelengths derived from their masses, not measured diameters. Massless particles and neutrinos with unknown individual masses remain symbolic. Continuous journeys use a constant logarithmic zoom speed. Symbolic cards remain available in Objects. The gap toward the Planck length contains no experimentally resolved objects. Background points suggest depth and are not a star catalogue. The orange Sun is a false-color 304 Å ultraviolet observation. Black hole horizons use estimated masses and a nonrotating model. Theoretical limits and uncertain stellar sizes are identified in their entries. The proton is shown by its approximate charge diameter. The observable universe is a present-day diameter, not the distance light has travelled.

Controls: scroll, pinch, or drag to zoom. Arrow keys move along the scale. Space starts or pauses the journey. H hides the controls, and Home returns to human scale; Escape closes a panel.

Reference reading: NASA planetary sizes, NASA on the observable universe.

An independent browser experience inspired by the idea of exploring scale. Not affiliated with GamifyIt or Universal Zoom.

Image credits

Continuous zoom · 16:9

Human route: outward to the Universe, a smooth, label-free return to human scale, a one-second pause, then inward to the Planck length and a fast, eased return to finish at human scale.

MP4 / H.264 recording runs in real time at a target of 30 fps. Keep this tab visible and your computer awake. Video is silent, ready for narration and music in your editor. Actual smoothness depends on your device.