Full tape measure marks how to#
Full tape measure marks download#

There is often also a thumb lock, which can help you control how much tape you want to extend. The small silver metal piece on the end is called the tang or hook (more on that later), and the actual tape itself is usually yellow or white metal, sometimes coated in plastic. The housing of the tape measure is called the case, and it’s usually plastic or metal – sometimes they have rubber on them (those are my favorites). Sometimes, there are larger ticks in between each cm to denote 1/2 cm. Most metric measuring tapes only mark the cm for readability, so you’ll need to count the number of ticks in between to get your exact measurement. Yes, metric probably makes a lot more sense on paper, but since the US hasn’t switched yet, most of our measuring tapes will still be Imperial.īut if you DO end up needing or using a metric tape measure, know that for every meter, there are 100 cm and for every cm, there are 10 mm. There are 16 sixteenths of an inch in every inch, but there are only 10mm in every cm. Metric is pretty different from Imperial – while the smallest unit of measurement in Imperial is generally a 1/16″, the smallest in metric is 10mm. For example, if 15 was the nearest cm, and there were 5 mm left over, your measurement would be 15.5 cm or 15 cm + 5 mm. To read a metric tape measure, find the closest cm marking and count the number of mm left over. They can be kind of hard to find though, so if you’re in the market for a dual system tape measure, consider this one. I often use my tape measure as a conversion chart of sorts, looking at the corresponding measurements between the two systems. Tape measures with both measurement types can definitely come in handy, especially if you’re working on a project with both. Some tape measures have both metric (cm and mm) and imperial (in and ft) markings, usually with one on the top and one on the bottom. And if you’re interested in my recommendations on other tools, check out my post for The 10 Beginner Tools EVERY DIYer Should Own. Read on to learn about every single marking, see useful photos and diagrams, learn why tape measures have loose ends, and finally what those black diamonds and triangles are. The largest numbers correspond to inches, with fractions of inches being in between each of the largest numbers. The biggest tick mark usually denotes inches, the second biggest denotes 1/2 inches, and so on. **This post contains and affiliate link.On every tape measure, there are both small and large tick marks and sometimes numbers. Since we are on the subject, I though you might like to know about this particular QuickDraw Self-Marking Tape Measure! It makes marking off cuts a piece of cake (or so they claim)!!! I ordered one but it’s on back order so as soon as I get it, I’ll share my findings.

Full tape measure marks download#

(Click on the image to download and print.) Before long, it will come natural but until then you can reference this diagram. I realize this is simple once you break it down, but in order to be able to measure something and spout off the CORRECT measurement without counting the lines every time (maybe it’s just me) I need it to be broken down. Shortest lines are the 16ths, going up in length to 8ths, 4ths, 1/2 and inch. If you look at the picture below you can see how this all makes sense. Makes sense right? And those 8ths can be broken down even more, until you get to 4ths and a 1/2. The 16ths can be reduced into 8ths, like the picture above. This little bit of knowledge is what I was missing. Every single line on the tape measure can be broken down into 16ths. This is what helped me, seeing it broken down…I’m a visual learner. (For all of you mathematically inclined people, please ignore my simplistic break down of an already basic tape! You can just skip ahead to another project! 😉 )

Full tape measure marks how to#

So, I thought we could do a little: How To Read a Tape Measure 101. My guess is that many of you are in the same boat as me.

If I had to measure something that didn’t fall within one of those marks I would just mark the tape measure with a pencil or count the lines…you know it might be 32″ and 3 little lines. I knew the the basics…1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and inches, but the other lines were always a mystery.

In my defense I had never been taught what all the “little lines” meant. I have a confession!! I struggle (or struggled until recently) to read a tape measure.