You are staring at a chip in your windshield and trying to figure out: is this fixable, or do I need a new windshield? Size is the most important factor in that decision, but it is not the only one. This guide gives you a quick, practical way to assess your chip using common household items as size references, along with the other factors that affect repairability.
The Coin Test: Quick Size Assessment
Grab a coin from your pocket and hold it next to the chip. This gives you an instant sense of whether the chip is repairable:
| Compare to | Actual Size | Chip Repair Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Pencil eraser | About 1/4 inch | Excellent -- nearly invisible repair |
| Dime | About 3/4 inch | Very good -- standard repair |
| Penny | About 3/4 inch | Very good -- standard repair |
| Nickel | About 7/8 inch | Good -- still within repair range |
| Quarter | About 1 inch | Borderline -- professional assessment needed |
| Half dollar | About 1.2 inches | Usually too large -- replacement likely |
| Dollar bill width | About 2.6 inches | Replacement needed |
Size Thresholds by Chip Type
Different chip types have different size thresholds for repair because of how their damage patterns affect structural integrity:
| Chip Type | Maximum Repairable Size | How to Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Bulls-eye | 1 inch diameter | Widest point of the circle |
| Half-moon | 1 inch diameter | Widest point of the semicircle |
| Star break | 3 inches tip to tip | From tip of one leg to tip of opposite leg |
| Combination | 3 inches total span | Furthest extent of all damage |
| Crack chip | 6 inches length | End to end of the crack |
Location Matters Too
Even if your chip is small enough to repair based on size alone, its location on the windshield can change the recommendation:
- Center of windshield, passenger side: Best location for repair. Maximum size limits apply, and cosmetic results are typically excellent.
- Driver's line of sight: The area directly in front of the steering wheel. Even small chips in this zone may be recommended for replacement if the repair could create any visual distortion. Safety standards prioritize driver visibility above all else.
- Within 2 inches of the edge: Edge chips have stricter size limits. Only very small chips (dime-sized or less) with no extending cracks qualify for repair in the edge zone.
- Behind rearview mirror: Chips here do not affect visibility and can usually be repaired even if slightly larger than normal limits, as long as structural integrity is maintained.
The Depth Factor
Your windshield has two layers of glass with a plastic interlayer (PVB) between them. This can be hard to assess without a technician, but here are some clues:
- Outer layer only (repairable): You can feel the chip from the outside but the inside surface of the windshield is smooth when you run your finger over the same spot
- Both layers (not repairable): You can feel damage on both the inside and outside surfaces, or you can see that the chip has penetrated all the way through with light visible through the damage
Denver-Specific Sizing Concern
In Denver, a chip that is repairable today may not be repairable next week. Our temperature swings extend fracture lines daily, meaning a dime-sized chip on Monday could be quarter-sized by Friday. A star break with half-inch legs can have 2-inch legs after a few cold nights. This is why we emphasize urgency for Denver drivers -- check the size now, and understand that it will get bigger if you wait. See our article on how soon to repair for more on timing.
Self-Assessment Checklist
Answer these five questions to quickly assess your chip:
- Is the chip smaller than a quarter? (If yes, likely repairable)
- Are any cracks extending from it shorter than 6 inches? (If yes, likely repairable)
- Is it located away from the driver's direct line of sight? (If yes, repair is preferred)
- Is it more than 2 inches from the windshield edge? (If yes, standard repair criteria apply)
- Can you only feel it from the outside? (If yes, outer layer damage only -- repairable)
If you answered yes to all five, your chip is almost certainly repairable. If you answered no to any, professional assessment is recommended. Either way, most Denver drivers pay $0 with insurance coverage for either repair or replacement.