How to Read a Read a Tape Measure

mars 01, 2022 Enregistrer un commentaire

Download Article

When it comes to structure and craftsmanship, taking accurate measurements can be the divergence between a great finished product and a subpar ane. Luckily, with the proper approach, using a record mensurate can be a quick, easy way to go you lot the data you need well-nigh your project. Knowing how to utilise and read both a retractable measure and a traditional ribbon-style tape measure out tin can be a major nugget to anyone working with his or her hands, so learn today and start measuring!

Imperial Units

ane
Utilise the big, numbered markings for inches. On a tape measure labeled with imperial units, the most prominent marks are ordinarily the one-inch marks. These are typically marked past long, sparse lines and fairly large numbers.^[ane]
- Every 12 inches, at that place will often (but not e'er) be a foot marking. This is unremarkably in a different color than the other markings — often red in dissimilarity to the normal blackness markings. After each foot marking, the numbers next to each inch mark will either repeat from one - 11 over again or keep counting. This can vary from tape measure to tape measure.
- Note that the line adjacent to the number marks each inch, not the number itself.
2
Apply the bigger marks between two inch markings for half-inches. A half-inch mark is e'er centered between any two i-inch marks. It most always has the second-longest marking (after the one-inch marks). There volition be i half-inch marking between each one-inch mark, but there are two half-inches per inch.^[ii]
- Notation that, starting with one-half-inch marks, not all lines may be labeled with numbers. In this case, you need to use the markings on either side to guide you lot. For example, the half-inch mark between inches three and 4 stands for 3 one/2 inches, fifty-fifty though information technology'due south non labeled.
Advert
3
Utilise the smaller lines betwixt half-inches for quarter-inches. After half-inches come quarter inches. These markings are smaller (and sometimes skinnier) than half-inches just normally bigger than the densely-packed marks effectually them. They are evenly spaced between each half-inch marking and one inch-marker. There are 4 quarter-inches in i inch.^[3]
- Annotation that lines marking a quarter of an inch sometimes aren't any different in size from 8th-inch marks. In this instance, proceed in mind that two eighths of an inch brand a quarter. Count to the second 8th-inch marking after the inch marking — this is the quarter-inch (and the line in the same spot on the other side of the half-inch marker is the three-quarter inch.)
4

Employ the small, regular marks for ane-eighth-inches. Smaller still than the quarter-inch markings are the ane-eighth-inch markings. These markings are centered between the inch mark and the quarter-inch marking, the quarter-inch marking and the half-inch marking, so on. There are 8 one-eighth inches per inch.
five
Use the tiny, densely-packed marks for sixteenths of an inch. The shortest lines of all on about measuring tapes are the sixteenth-inch marks. There are xvi of these tiny marks per inch — four in each quarter-inch.
- Notation that some very precise measuring tapes will marking down to i-thirty-second of an inch or even one-sixty-fourth of an inch! Employ the same pattern for recognizing these minuscule measurements.
6
Add together the inch segments to make up one's mind total length. When you are measuring a length, getting an authentic value just means seeing where the tape lines up. Get-go, marking the spot where the measuring record lines upwards with the border of the thing you're measuring. Discover the nearest inch before this point. Then, find the nearest one-half-inch before this bespeak. And so, the nearest quarter-inch, and and so on. Add up your inches and fractions of inches until y'all accept an accurate measurement. This is a lot easier than information technology sounds — see below for an case.
- Allow'south say that we've measured past the one-inch mark, past one quarter-inch mark, and past i eighth-inch marking. To observe our measurement, we need to add:
  
  1 (our inches) + i/4 (our quarter-inches) + 1/8 (our 8th-inches).
- Since at that place are two eighth-inches in a quarter-inch, we tin rewrite this as:
  
  1 + two/8 + 1/8 = i 3/8 inches.
- Adding fractions similar 1/2, 1/4, ane/8, and then on can be catchy. If you lot need assist, run across our commodity on how to add fractions with unlike denominators.
Advertisement

Metric Units

1
Utilise the big, numbered markings for centimetres. On most metric measuring tapes, centimetres are the nearly prominent markings. Centimetres are usually labeled with large lines and, next to each line, a number. As with inches, the line marks each centimetre, non the number itself.^[4]
- If you lot have a measuring tape longer than one metre (100 centimetres), ordinarily, the metre(s) will receive a special marking too — oftentimes in a different colour than the rest of the markings. After each metre, the centimetre markings may start over again from nix or proceed counting. This varies from measuring record to measuring record.
ii
Apply the smaller markings between centimetres for 0.v centimetres. Some (but not all) metric measuring tapes will have medium-sized marks evenly spaced between each centimetre mark. These mark half-centimetres. These marks are unremarkably not labelled with a number.^[5]
- The metric system is in base x, which makes it much easier to work with decimals compared to imperial measurements. For this reason, information technology's usually fine to refer to half-centimetre markings in decimal terms (i.e., ane i/2 centimetres becomes one.5 centimetres.)
3
Use the modest, densely-packed markings for millimetres.The pocket-sized, tight, narrow lines between centimetre markings represent millimetres (or one-tenth-centimetres). There are ten millimetres in a centimetre (and, thus, one 1000 in a metre.)
- If your measuring record doesn't have 0.five centimetre markings, the 5th millimetre after each centimetre marks the 0.5 centimetre.
4
Add the centimetre segments to determine the total length. To measure with a metric measuring record, start find the nearest centimetre before the distance you're measuring, then the nearest millimetre. You can use a 0.5 millimetre mark to help guide you if your measuring record has them. Your measurement (in centimetres) will be a decimal where the tenths place is indicated by the millimetre marker. For example, run into below:^[6]
- Allow's say that we measure past the 33 centimetre mark to the 6th millimetre marking. In this example, we can find our distance in centimetres similar this:
  
  33 + 0.6 = 33.6 centimetres
- If nosotros wanted our distance in something other than centimetres, however, we would demand to shift the decimal place to compensate. For case, let's say that we desire the reply higher up in metres. In this case, since in that location are 100 centimetres in i metre, we could use a conversion gene like this:
  
  33.6 × 1 metre/100 centimetres = 0.336 metres
- In general, to get from centimetres to metres, shift the decimal ii places to the left, and to go from metres to centimetres, shift information technology 2 places to the right.
Advertisement

This section deals with how to use the two most common styles of tape measure.

Retractable Tape

1
Take hold of the hooked terminate on one side of the object you lot're measuring. If you lot're using a retractable tape measure (the kind that comes in a minor metal or plastic box that automatically sucks the record support when you're done with it) note that the terminate of the tape will near e'er have a pocket-size metal notch at the nothing marker. This is useful for holding the tape in the right place as you measure, so you may desire to offset past catching it on the border of the object you're measuring.
- On the other hand, if you're measuring something that tin't be latched on to (like, for example, the distance across a door frame), but press this metallic notch into one side of the object.
- On some measuring tapes, the stop volition move. Pull it out if you're measuring by pulling the tape out from an edge, and button it in if you're pushing the record against a surface.^[7]
two
Stretch the tape beyond your object. With the zero mark in place, pull back on the box to let more record out. You can use one hand (or a friend) to hold the end of the tape in place as yous pull it back. Let record out until it stretches all the way across the distance you're measuring.
- Try to keep the tape straight equally you lot do this — if yous allow it sag (which is like shooting fish in a barrel to do if you're measuring long distances), the results you get will be skewed.
3
Take a reading straight from the tape. Now, look at the point where the tape meets the end of the affair you're measuring. The nearest number below the finish of the tape is your number of units you're measuring and the markings betwixt this number and the one above it correspond to fractions of the unit.
- For example, if you are measuring across the front of your dresser and the edge of the dresser lines up right after the 24 inch marker, this ways that your dresser is between 24 and 25 inches wide. If, for instance, it's three 1/8 inch marks past 24 inches, it is 24 three/eight inches wide.
- You tin can besides try putting a kink in the tape, then lining upwards this kink with the edge of what you're measuring. This is handy in sure situations, like for instance, when you're measuring into a tight corner.
4
Use the lock switch to proceed the record at the same length. Virtually retractable tape measures will have a button or sliding switch that, when pressed, keeps the record measure from beingness sucked back in. Some even lock automatically.^[8] You tin utilize this to easily compare the sizes of different lengths and objects. For instance, the lock feature is useful for:
- Quickly seeing which of 2 objects is bigger
- Seeing whether something will fit through a certain space
- Keeping the tape available for multiple quick measurements
- Keeping a certain distance "handy" to avoid having to re-mensurate
Advertisement

Manual Record

one
Concord one end of the tape down at the first of your distance. A transmission tape measure out (which looks a trivial like a long, skinny ribbon or a ruler made out of flexible material) lacks some of the user-friendly features of a mod retractable tape measure, but with the proper technique, information technology works just as well. To start taking a measurement, grab the "zero" end and line it up with the offset of the object or length you desire to measure.
- Part of the problem with manual tape measures is that they're most useful for measuring only short differences because yous have to be able to concord the nix cease in identify while you move the other end into position. Thus, nearly manual tapes won't be much longer than the human arm span. If yous need to measure out beyond your reach, you can endeavor keeping the zero end of your tape mensurate in place with a weight or getting a friend to help.
2

Stretch the tape across your altitude. Now, accept the slack of the object and lay it in a straight line across the object or distance y'all desire to measure. Be sure to go along the record tight to ensure an authentic measurement, but don't stretch it — most modernistic measuring tapes are fabricated out of semi-flexible plastic.
iii
Take a reading direct from the tape. Just equally you would with a retractable tape measure out, wait for the spot where the cease of the object or altitude y'all're measuring lines up with the tape measure. The distance indicated on the tape measure at this signal is the distance you've measured.
- For case, permit's say y'all hold one end of a tape mensurate in the tips of your fingers and stretch the other end all the way to the crook of your armpit to decide how long your arm is. If the tape measure stretches exactly halfway between the 27 and 28 inch markings, this means that your arm is 27.5 inches long.
4
If measuring around a circular object, pinch the tape where information technology overlaps. One reward of ribbon-manner tape measures over retractable tape measures is that their flexibility allows them to measure effectually objects. To do this, identify the null end of the record on the object, wrap the record all the mode effectually information technology in as straight of line as possible, and note the bespeak where the tape measure get-go passes the zero marking in one case again. This point is the distance around your object.
- For example, if you want to find the distance around your wrist, identify the zilch end of the record measure on summit of your wrist, wrap the slack around and underneath, then line it upward with the zero finish on acme. If it is, for case, six inches at this bespeak, then your wrist has a circumference of virtually half-dozen inches.
Advertising

Add together New Question

Question

What are the markings on a record measure?

Gino Colucci is a Domicile Improvement Specialist and the Possessor of Crackerjacks Handyman Services (not a licensed contractor) in Chandler, Arizona. Crackerjacks Handyman Services offers an constructive cost-saving solution for commercial and residential repair and maintenance needs, specializing in smaller projects. Crackerjacks Handyman Services carries liability insurance and all technicians go through a background check.

Home Comeback Specialist

Adept Answer
Question

What are the black diamonds on a measuring tape?

Gino Colucci is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Possessor of Crackerjacks Handyman Services (not a licensed contractor) in Chandler, Arizona. Crackerjacks Handyman Services offers an effective price-saving solution for commercial and residential repair and maintenance needs, specializing in smaller projects. Crackerjacks Handyman Services carries liability insurance and all technicians become through a groundwork cheque.

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to go a bulletin when this question is answered.

Submit

With contractor measuring tapes, used for measuring large areas, you ofttimes cannot get a measurement using just the record, as the body or case of the measuring tape gets in the way. That's why these bodies are carefully designed and marked to a certain width. Wait on the example torso for the width indicator. Many are iii". To measure out a room from one corner to the other:
- Lay the tape on the floor and hook the end into one corner of the room.
- Pull out the tape along the floor.
- When you accomplish the other corner push the barrel of the tape case into the corner (the butt or back of the case has been flattened for this purpose).
- Take your measurement from the record and then add the iii" for the complete width.
  - Instance: Measure a space on your wall. Place the front of the tape at the start point and extend it until after you lot reach the end indicate. Await at the tape and encounter the last number before the stop point, for example, 17. Afterwards the number 17, count four lines, noticing that you finish on the third longest line. That would make the total measured space 17 and ane/4 inches.

Advertising

Virtually This Article

Article Summary Ten

To read a measuring tape, line the zero mark up at the edge of the item y'all're measuring, then stretch the record all the way across the particular. Try to go along the tape straight to ensure an authentic measurement! Then, look at the indicate where the record meets the finish of the item y'all're measuring and read the nearest large number. The large numbers are the units you're measuring, like inches or centimeters, and the markings between the big numbers correspond to fractions of that unit. To acquire about the differences between the imperial system and the metric system, read on!

Did this summary help you lot?

Thank you to all authors for creating a folio that has been read 3,042,891 times.

Did this article aid you?

marshallcoure1949.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Read-a-Measuring-Tape

Marshall Coure1949