", after reading this article, I realized how easy it is to use a tape.". In the United States, the imperial measurement system is normally used on a tape measure, though some models may have both the imperial and the metric system. 1. When you reach the other corner push the butt of the tape case into the corner (the butt or back of the case has been flattened for this purpose). On the other hand, if you're measuring something that can't be latched on to (like, for instance, the distance across a door frame), just press this metal notch into one side of the object. Thank you, wikiHow. That's why these bodies are carefully designed and marked to a certain width. Add to cart. If, for instance, it's three 1/8 inch marks past 24 inches, it is 24 3/8 inches wide. Bending the tape can lead to an estimate instead of an exact measurement. It could be very approximate but first choose some known distance - for example, the size of a room and then walk a few times up and down counting the number of steps and keeping the size of the step as uniform as possible. This tape is used for our Model 101 Water Level Meters, Model 101D Water Level DrawDown Meter, Model 107 TLC Meter, 201 Water Level Temperature Meter and our Model 122 Interface Meters.The PVDF is ideally suited for our Model 122 Interface Meters, as they are often used in applications where the tapes may be exposed to contaminants. Metric tape measures indicate 10 marks to the centimeter. If you like to work in meters and centimeters there are better metric tape measures out there for you. The tape measure can be marked with US or English measurements (feet and inches), metric measurements (meters and parts of meters: centimeters, millimeters, etc) or both shared on the same tape. Tape measures are commonly used in construction, architecture, building, home projects, crafts, and woodworking. The hole in the tang can also be used to make perfect circles, great if you’re crafting a lazy susan, or round tabletop. Now I'm good. The dull serrated edge on the end of the tang can also be used as a marker. The measuring tape has got a number of lines indicating specific measurements. Metric tape measures. We know the bottom number will be /8 because of the size of the line (see photo above).For the top number we simply count how many lines there are of that same size and larger between the big 2 inch line and the arrow…1, 2, 3 lines. The first inch on a tape measure is actually short by 1/16 of an inch, because the metal on the tang is exactly 1/16 of an inch. This a common layout measurement for various items used in building homes and other structures. The start of the tape should be on the left end of the line. There are also some that combine the two systems in one measuring tape. It's important to know how to read a tape measure. Learning how to read a tape measure is an important skill to learn, whether you're doing home projects, teaching your kids or students, or looking to get into the skilled trades in some capacity. Measurement Increments on a Tape Measure 1. So read this article that teaches you how to read a tape measure. A tape measure is an essential tool for both dressmakers and woodworkers. One meter (39 inches) is a similar measurement to the yard above, but use your arm with fingers extended and measure to the tip of the fingers. In this case, we can find our distance in centimetres like this: If we wanted our distance in something other than centimetres, however, we would need to shift the decimal place to compensate. That would make the total measured space 17 and 1/4 inches. If your tape is marked with the English or Standard system, it … [1] X Research source Every 12 inches, there will often (but not always) be a foot marking. Different types of measuring tapes used in sewing 1 The regular measuring tape. Last Updated: September 3, 2020 Extend the tape measure, the tape is in increments of 16ths, 8ths, 4ths, 1/2's and inches. Measuring tape is pretty straightfoward, but there's no shame in getting a tad disoriented. KVN Easy Read 5M 19mm ₹ 202.00 . Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. If you're looking for how to read the markings on your tape measure, click here. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Once you have noted it, unhook the tang, holding the blade with your hand so that its recoil won’t cause injury, then press the lock to release the blade. Play Measure it online, here. The following is a quick overview on how to properly read a measuring tape in daily use. Typically a measuring tape for measuring the body is 60 inches long which is about 1.5 meters (152 cms). Check the length of your arm against a ruler or measuring tape to find out how close to 1 meter this distance is for you. Just line the tool up with whatever you're measuring, make sure the "zero" mark is aligned with the edge of the object being measured and then read along the ruler, measuring tape or meter stick until you reach the far edge of the object being measured. Add to cart. Without measuring devices like rulers (and people who can read them) we would still be living in caves! See more ideas about Tape, Tape measure, Reading. Laser tape measures are alternatives to traditional metal tape measures; they're used to calculate lengths, widths and heights of up to about 650 feet (198 meters).They're generally considered accurate to within an eighth of an inch (3 millimeters) when measuring a distance of up to 300 feet (91.5 meters). There are 100 centimeters in a meter and 10 millimeters in a centimeter. They usually come in lengths from 6 feet to 35 feet long. Q: Can you use laser measure outside? If it is, for instance, six inches at this point, then your wrist has a circumference of about six inches. ... ₹ 675.00 . Stretch the blade across the object, press the lock, and then observe where the blade meets the end of the object. Count to the second eighth-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 mark is the three-quarter inch.). Completely different to an imperial tape measure, it is arguably easier to read a tape measure in metric than imperial; Each small increment is 1mm and … The following is a quick overview on how to properly read a measuring tape in daily use. Steps of Reading a Steel Measuring Tape. A 1/16 of an inch, is usually the smallest measurement on a tape measure. To use a tape measure, pull the tang out from the housing and hook it on the edge of the object to be measured. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. How To Read A Tape Measure: Example #1. Step 1 - Understand the Markings on the Tape. Reading it used to be a problem for me. Twelve of these equal one foot. Length Whilst the length of most tapes is printed on the case, it is a legal obligation for manufacturers to print it on the blade as well. Below, a primer on parts and measurement increments you’ll find on a trusty tape measure. The measurement is technically taken at the center of the mark; however, if you need measurements to that precision, I would recommend using something a bit more accurate, such as calipers. Thus, most manual tapes won't be much longer than the human arm span. First, let's review some background. When it comes to construction and craftsmanship, taking accurate measurements can be the difference between a great finished product and a subpar one. When taking an external measurement the tang slips over the object to be measured, this both holds the tape measure in place, and compensates for the thickness of the tang to give an accurate measurement. If it's in inches, there are big marks for inches and smaller marks for parts of an inch. A diameter tape has either metric or imperial measurements reduced by the value of π.This means the tape measures the diameter of the object. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Place the front of the tape at the start point and extend it until after you reach the stop point. Step 1 - Understand the Markings on the Tape. "This helped me how to read about tape measuring.". If the increment on the tape measure is not labeled, then determine the marking’s increment and calculate the respective fraction and length. Commonly a tape measure can be seen in a carpenter’s tool box. For instance, let's say you hold one end of a tape measure in the tips of your fingers and stretch the other end all the way to the crook of your armpit to determine how long your arm is. Metric tape measures often use special symbols, such as red numbers, for every 10 centimeters or 100 centimeters (1 meter), but often do not have a unique symbol for each meter. Step 5: Write your measurement Write your measurement in feet, inches, and fractions of an inch. Look on the case body for the width indicator. Example: Measure a space on your wall. The distance between every line on the tape measure is 1/16 of an inch. Safety Tips If your measuring tape doesn't have 0.5 centimetre markings, the fifth millimetre after each centimetre marks the 0.5 centimetre. Metric is based on ‘tens’. To measure a room from one corner to the other: All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Look at the tape and see the last number before the stop point, for example, 17. Measure a length with the yard stick or tape measure. WELCOME TO FREEMANS MEASURES. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Many are 3". A: Laser measures can be used outside. Add to cart. If the increment on the tape measure is not labeled, then determine the marking’s increment and calculate the respective fraction and length. Put simply 1 = 1", 2 = 2" and so on. The tape runs along the … Make sure your meter is set to the right measuring position (front, rear, corner extension piece). You get 120 inch long measuring tapes in shops as well, which is useful for measuring those curtains and quilts and other home decor stuff. Place the end of the measuring tape against the wall on top of the vanity in your bathroom and pull it out to the front edge of the top. Freemans Measures Fiber Plastika 50 Meters ₹ 752.00 . Read a tape measure’s incremental marks for the metric system. Take your measurement from the tape and then add the 3" for the complete width. Use the same pattern for recognizing these miniscule measurements. The large numbers are the units you're measuring, like inches or centimeters, and the markings between the large numbers correspond to fractions of that unit. They are designed for strain measurements or to carry out tensile tests. This article has been viewed 2,909,813 times. Suitable for grades 1 - 3, Measure It lets you choose the measurement that matches the length of the bar. In order to determine the length, … To read a measuring tape, line the zero mark up at the edge of the item you're measuring, then stretch the tape all the way across the item. We'll walk you through the basics of each type of ruler. The ring or other device is fastened to the tape by a metal strip of the same width as the metric woven tape. A measuring tape is typically a flexible tape used for measuring length, often between 2 meters or yards, and 100 feet or 30 meters. Step 1: Examine your tape measure. This article has 17 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. When the length stops, take a reading on the tape ... Find the length. First, let's review some background. It is assumed that the cylinder object is a perfect circle. Step 4: Notice the metric side Notice the metric side of the tape measure. Make a straight horizontal line on the sheet of paper. Exactly where is the measurement taken? I'm really glad that y'all have that, thank you. Thank you! 1 The regular measuring tape Typically a measuring tape for measuring the body is 60 inches long which is about 1.5 meters (152 cms). Then examine leftover indicator lines to see what fractions of an inch remain. Reading a ruler is really simple once you know what you're doing. Freemans Measures Hi- Plastika 15M ₹ 227.00 . Most US tape measures have both inches and foot marks. If the tape measure stretches exactly halfway between the 27 and 28 inch markings, this means that your arm is 27.5 inches long. Reading a tape measure is more about combining basic fractions with an understanding of how marks work on today's tape measures. ", measurements. In this case, keep in mind that two eighths of an inch make a quarter. A tape measure basically uses a specific measurement system. This has made me feel confident in doing the tasks at home that I have avoided, "Thank you for the methods of measurement, it really helped me. Notice the metric side of the tape measure. Each measuring unit is represented by a small marking line. For a 12 inch measurement, do I mark the left edge of the 12" gradation, the center, or the right edge? Similar to reading rulers, the large numbers on a standard tape measure are the inch marks.That number is usually in bold, black type, easy to read and refers to the longest of the markings along the edge. In this case, you need to use the markings on either side to guide you. Use the big, numbered markings for inches. 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters; therefore, "n" centimeters = n x 2.54. Pull out the tape measure along the line. The tape is usually self supporting, with an end-of-tape tab. When reading a tape measure, find the closest whole inch to the end point. For fractions of an inch, simply put the fraction after the whole number for inches. By Timothy Dale. For example 3 feet, 6 1/4 inches. Why is there an arrow marking on 16, 32, 48, etc. By pushing the tang up to an internal edge it butts up tight to the end of the tape measure blade to give an accurate reading. Simply insert a nail or screw to the side of the surface, grab the head of the fastener with the hole of the tang, and pull out the blade to take a quick, accurate measurement. Tape Measure Marks . So read on to explore this humble must-have implement and learn to employ it properly—for everything from measuring the inside width of a bookshelf to rapid stud location to drawing a perfect circle. The markings represent meters, centimeters, and millimeters. Most will show fractions down to eighths of an inch. in the inches column of the tape? Freemans Measures Hi- Plastika 30 Meters ₹ 387.00 . Tape measures are available in both imperial units (inches and feet) which are commonly used in the USA but you can also buy metric ones (centimeters and meters). ", "Read this in math class, it really helped! These are known as ‘Fractional Read’ or ‘Easy Read’ blades. The tape measure can be marked with US or English measurements (feet and inches), metric measurements (meters and parts of meters: centimeters, millimeters, etc) or both shared on the same tape. It is also a common divisor for materials such as plywood (4' x 8'), ceiling heights, and common lumber lengths. Tape measure blades are slightly concave to increase the blade’s rigidity when in use. Step 1: Examine your tape measure. A: They are pretty accurate, with most of them able to measure at an accuracy of 1/16. Tape Measures (0) STANLEY, FATMAX ® , LeverLock ® , PowerLock ® , and DualLock™ tape measures make taking measurements fast and easy. So for measurements taken from the inside edge of an object, such as measuring the length of a wall from corner to corner, the tang slides back against the blade and the metal of the tang is added to account for the “missing” 1/16 of an inch. This type of tape measure has the whole inch numbers labeled, as well as the eighths and quarters of an inch labeled, like 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, etc, which makes reading a tape measure much easier. ", "I was wondering about the little lines and now I know! Rotate the tape measure in a full 360 degrees, keeping the tang firmly attached to the head of the nail or screw. To create this article, 60 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Other advanced measures are able to measure at an accuracy of 1/32. ", "My son needed to know how to read a measuring tape for a school project. On a tape measure labeled with imperial units, the most prominent marks are usually the one-inch marks. How to Use a Tape Measure Start by putting the end tab at one end of the item or space you want to measure, then pull out the tape until you get to the other end. Try to keep the tape straight to ensure an accurate measurement! 1. After each metre, the centimetre markings may, The metric system is in base ten, which makes it much easier to work with decimals compared to imperial measurements. "I've sent this to my sons who are just starting in the construction business. The pictures made it really easy to follow and, "The uncomplicated layout of the measuring tape, indicating the number range, was very helpful. Instead, sit the base of the tape measure against one side of the object to be measured. Timothy Dale, 11 Decorative Pillow Trends to Expect in 2021, 10 Things You Never Thought to Keep in Your Car, Sweet Dreams: 15 Inventive Beds You Can Make Yourself, 14 House Problems That Don't Require a General Contractor, 17 Creative Ways to Reuse Cardboard Boxes, Ugly Appliance? Notice the metric side of the tape measure. This is usually in a different color than the other markings — often r… 2. Using a pencil, mark the initial measurement and keep the tip of the pencil sitting lightly on the surface of the material at this point. Turn on the meter. Thanks. Thanks. The distance between each measurement with a red dot. When reading a tape measure, the edge of the object may fall between two lines on the blade. Numbers shown represent meters, decimeters (sometimes shown in red-see example picture), and centimeters. Sep 14, 2020 - Explore Michele Volponi's board "how to read measuring tape" on Pinterest. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. You can also try putting a kink in the tape, then lining up this kink with the edge of what you're measuring. By using our site, you agree to our. These are typically marked by long, thin lines and fairly large numbers. These tools will make it easier to calculate square meters, since they were designed in the same system of measurement. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. But unless you know how to use a tape measure and correctly read its markings, your best efforts can be slightly off—and, unfortunately, any amount of “off” just won’t do. Insert a nail or screw in the middle of the material to be measured, then hook the tang to the head. Taking a measurement in metric units works just the same as measuring any other unit. What’s more, this seemingly one-note tool can actually be used for tasks besides simply measuring the length between point A and point B. To read a tape measure, think about moving from long marks down to short marks. Then, taking measurements will be a breeze. As you may know it, there are two main systems for measuring length – the Imperial System of Measurements where things are measured in yards, feet and inches and the Metric System of Measurement which uses meters, centimeters and millimeters.. % of people told us that this article helped them. The smallest measuring unit is one millimeter (1 mm), followed by one centimeter (1 cm) and one meter (1 m). Don’t say, “duh!” Plenty of DIYers and even some experienced professional carpenters may not be aware of all of the information on a retractable metal tape measure. Some reveals English measurement (feet and inches) while others use Metric measurement (meters and centimeters). Most US tape measures have both inches and foot marks. Square meters is a unit of measure for area - that is bi-dimensional spaces - whereas feet are used to measure distance, so there's no possible equivalence. You can also buy tape measures, like this one from Komelon, which prints the fractions right on the tape, which makes the increments easier to read. To avoid cutting too short, always round up to the larger measurement. if your 5 ticks past the number 4 tick then the measurement is 4 5 ⁄ 16 “. 5. and I believe that this is the best outline on how to read a tape measure. Measure a length. Knowing how to use and read both a retractable measure and a traditional ribbon-style tape measure can be a major asset to anyone working with his or her hands, so learn today and start measuring! This is handy in certain situations, like for instance, when you're measuring into a tight corner. With contractor measuring tapes, used for measuring large areas, you often cannot get a measurement using just the tape, as the body or case of the measuring tape gets in the way. Take the reading from the tape and add it to the length of the housing (noted on its base) to get an accurate reading. To learn about the differences between the imperial system and the metric system, read on! Some reveals English measurement (feet and inches) while others use Metric measurement (meters and centimeters). If you need help, see our article on how to, If you have a measuring tape longer than one metre (100 centimetres), usually, the metre(s) will receive a special marking as well — often in a different color than the rest of the markings. Put the end of the measure at one end of the item or space you want to measure. Pull the tang out and hold it to the other side of the bookshelf. A tape measure with both inches and centimeters usually has the imperial measurements in red on the top of the blade, while the metric measurements are in black on the bottom of the blade. 60 inches and 7/16ths of an inch would be written as 60-7/16.". Note: To find a length that is less than 1 inch, just read the tape measure of the length. The denominations of these tape measures are 1, 2, 10, 20, 30 and 50 meters. You’ve no doubt heard the carpentry proverb “Measure twice, cut once” and may even have made it a mantra for your own projects. Try to keep the tape straight as you do this — if you let it sag (which is easy to do if you're measuring long distances), the results you get will be skewed. Add to cart. However, this would leave you 1/16 of an inch short for objects that are measured from the outside edge, such as a deck board. For example, if you want to find the distance around your wrist, place the zero end of the tape measure on top of your wrist, wrap the slack around and underneath, then line it up with the zero end on top. Choose a meter stick or metric tape measure. Let's say that we measure past the 33 centimetre mark to the sixth millimetre marking. Note that, starting with half-inch marks, not all lines may be labeled with numbers. Note: To find a length that is less than 1 inch, just read the tape measure of the length. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. To find our measurement, we need to add: Since there are two eighth-inches in a quarter-inch, we can rewrite this as: Adding fractions like 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and so on can be tricky. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. It is very easy to explain to the trainees. The 5 mm mark indicates 5 mm and indicates a half centimeter (0.5 cm). References 3. It is indicated by a 1m. Let's say that we've measured past the one-inch mark, past one quarter-inch mark, and past one eighth-inch mark. How to read a tape measure with metric markings, in millimetres, centimetres and metres. Sep 14, 2020 - Explore Michele Volponi's board "how to read measuring tape" on Pinterest. Part of the problem with manual tape measures is that they're most useful for measuring only short differences because you have to be able to hold the zero end in place while you move the other end into position. This section deals with how to use the two most common styles of tape measure. The hook end is point 0. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. The distance between each measurement with a red dot. Between those numbers are a series of shorter marks which represent fractions of an inch. Always ensure that the tang is fully extended when hooked onto an edge. Commonly a tape measure can be seen in a carpenter’s tool box. Notice that the measuring tape is broken down in inches. In the example below, we are measuring to the arrow. Marks on a tape measure are the straight lines that run perpendicular to the tape. At worst, you will need to measure and cut again, but that is far better than wasting a piece of material that’s 1/16 of an inch too short for your needs. Note that the line next to the number marks each inch, not the number itself. Approved. TIP: There are 100 centimeters in a meter and 10 millimeters in a centimeter. Wrapping Up. The tang also has a small hole in the end, just above the serrated edge, specifically designed to be hooked onto a nail or screw—very helpful when measuring a flat surface and working without a partner. Add the number next to the large tick with the fraction to get the measurement. Note that some very precise measuring tapes will mark down to one-thirty-second of an inch or even one-sixty-fourth of an inch! ", "Helps me in reading imperial tape measurements.". If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. We will walk you through everything you need to know about tape measure reading, tape measure markings, and more. Match correctly to win. It’s a common mistake when taking inside measurements (such as the inside width of a bookshelf) to pull the blade out further than necessary and then bend it to fit against one side of the object while the tang is pushed against the other side. If you have an object that measures longer than a whole centimeter, you will write your measurement as a decimal, such as 5.1 centimeters, or as 51 millimeters. Watch Now: How to Read a Tape Measure. How to Read Tape Measure - The Basics. ... Reading the tape measure is of course one of the most important skills to pick up when using these tools. 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