These two terms i.e., Roll and Hand Roll, are mostly discussed in relation to the preparation of sushi, a popular Japanese food. A roll is made with ingredients like fish, cooked rice, vegetables, seafood, and other ingredients that are wrapped in nori -seaweed. A roll is made to have a cylindrical shape.
On the other hand, a hand roll is also used to wrap sushi. This type of sushi is meant to be eaten by one person. A hand roll has a cone shape because all the ingredients to be used are wrapped inside seaweed, after which they are also placed in the cone. According to the explanation given above, one of the major differences between a roll and hand roll is their shape; the former has a cylindrical shape, whereas the latter has a cone shape. A roll is specifically made to be eaten by 6 to 8 people at a time, whereas a hand roll is meant to be eaten by one person.