The metal tape can be extremely sharp (think paper cut but with metal!). 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. Click here to download and print this handy tape measure PDF. You can get anything from a cheap $4 tape to a $50 and up tape. Length. This is some really good information about how to measure with a measuring tape. Take a close look at step 3 and 4 in the picture above. If the tape measure is only marked in 1/16 inches, count the number of 1/16 lines, multiply by two and add one if the length is half of the distance toward the next mark. Marks range from 1 inch down to 1/16 inch on most tape measures. 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. Also provides explanation of basic fraction reduction. Watch Now: How to Read a Tape Measure. 4 years ago. Starting from the hook of your tape measure, you will have whole numbers printed in black on your tape (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and so on). For example, ½" has a bigger mark than ¼" which has a bigger mark than ⅛", and so on. Taking accurate physical measurements is crucial for any projects like surveying, construction, garments, mechanical projects, etc.. The measuring tape is of two type. How to Read a Tape Measure Most tape measures have a yellow coiled ruler with measurements printed on it. The following are what you need to know to read a tape measure. The measurements towards the bottom of the image are metric. For example, ½" has a bigger mark … Step 1 - Understand the Markings on the Tape. To read a tape measure, you first need to know what each of those black lines stand for. In general, the longer the length of the line, the longer the measurement. Use the big, numbered markings for inches. We put a video below that goes into more detail, and it's gonna take a bit of practice to get comfortable with. Then examine leftover indicator lines to see what fractions of an inch remain. 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. It can cause bruises if left to recoil uncontrollably. This will provide the most accurate measurement. Sep 14, 2020 - Explore Michele Volponi's board "how to read measuring tape" on Pinterest. In some countries such as the UK, tape measures have both Imperial and Metric measurement markings. Read the picture above to walk through the process step by step. On a standard tape measure, the biggest marking is the inch mark (which generally has the biggest number, if it has them). Instructions. Most tape measures measure things to an accuracy of 1/16 of an inch. When using a metric tape measure, the measurements appear in centimeters, millimeters and, sometimes, meters. The longest mark indicates one inch. Do More! Whether it’s measurements of materials, the length of a counter or an area that will be remodeled, it is very important to take accurate measurements. e.g., if your five ticks past the number 4 tick, then the measurement is 4 5 ⁄ 16 “. How to Read a Tape Measure – There are many styles of the tape measure, some special for designs, carpentry, sewing or crafts. My brother is a professional Cabinet Maker & can do measurements easily. 2:47. 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. Use this infographic for your own website! Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Reading the Inches. You can learn more about the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 tape measures by reading our article – The Advantages of a Class 1 Tape Measure. You can see that we identified that the closest marking to the object we were measuring was a 1/8" marking. A tape measure is an essential tool for both dressmakers and woodworkers. Got these measurements down? How to Read a Tape Measure. For example, an object that is three lines beyond the 3-inch mark on a tape measure marked in thirty-seconds would be 3 and 3/32 inches long. Watch this video for more help and explanation. As the increments decrease, so does the length of the mark. Most will show fractions down to eighths of an inch. We know that 1/2 is the same as 4/8, 8/16, 16/32, etc. Some will have 16 lines between every inch while some others will have 32 markings. Take a look at the image above for help, and then let's move on to the reading step and give it a try. 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. 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. There are definitely more exact measurements that get even more precise - 1/32" and so on, but for this into tutorial we'll stick with these basic ones. Most of them will look like the photo below. Typically a measuring tape for measuring the body is 60 inches long which is about 1.5 meters (152 cms). 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. This curve lets the blade be pulled out further without losing stiffness, helping take longer measurements with more accuracy. Step 1 - Understand the Markings on the Tape. 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. Tape measures in the U.S. mostly utilize Imperial measurements, which means that you measure in feet, inches and fractions of inches. Read 1 inch. These are longer again, and 2/8ths, 4/8ths, and 6/8ths are marked as quarter inches. One of the first things you need to learn to be a carpenter or even a do it yourselfer is how to read a tape measure. Without measuring devices like rulers (and people who can read them) we would still be living in caves! Besides whole inches, all measurements have a top number and a bottom number. What is a Tape Measure A tape measure is a roll of metal tape with evenly graduated markings used for Metric measurement is the simplest system of use. Metric tape measures. The humble tape measure is the world’s most commonly used measuring tool, accompanying millions of tradesmen and contractors to work every single day. 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. Insert a nail or screw in the middle of the material to be measured, then hook the tang to the head. Different types of measuring tapes used in sewing 1 The regular measuring tape. Yes, you read that right! Try to keep the tape straight to ensure an accurate measurement! Date added: 10-30-2020 The ½ inch is marked with a yet longer hash, and then each inch is marked with a hash that runs across the width of the measure, and a number. Design and 3D Print a Modern and Cozy Reading Light. For example, "Three and one half inches (or 3 1/2")" or "2 feet, 3 1/2". We will now break the. Don't get discouraged if you don't understand at first. There are safety measures to follow while using the seemingly harmless tape measure. Reply Thus the total count will be 5 3/4 inches. Which tool do you think is a primary measuring tool in the Automotive field? Tape Measure safety. The 1/2″ marks is the next largest and falls halfway between the 1″ marks. Title: Read a tape measure 1 Read a tape measure 2 Measuring tools. So all we had to do then was ask, "how many 1/8" marks are there up until the end of the object?" Every tape measure has markings with lines of varying lengths. 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. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Sometimes the tape will be white, and a few of these may only denote inches and feet. OK, time to give it a try and read your measurement. Simply pull out the tape from and extend it to the end of the object you need to measure. Bending the tape can lead to an estimate instead of an exact measurement. You are probably familiar with rulers, meter sticks, tape rules, folding rules, and tape measures. When reading a tape measure, the edge of the object may fall between two lines on the blade. See more ideas about tape measure, reading, tape. This little guide is for the non-skilled-at-math out there, so if you're not good with fractions and all the lines on the tape measure just seem jumbled to you...don't worry, this little trick will help you out. 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. 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 there are 10mm that make up one centimetre. Each smaller marking is an increasingly smaller fraction of an inch. Did you make this project? Straight Measurements: If you are measuring something flat, take the metal end cap of the tape measure and line it up against the edge of the material, laying the tape flat along the surface. 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. The following is a quick overview on how to properly read a measuring tape in daily use. Many tape measures have markings only at sixteenths of an inch, but you can still estimate thirty-seconds by judging when a length falls halfway between two 1/16-inch marks. 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 there are 10mm that make up one centimetre. Meter or 1m: The one-meter marking is located at the one 100th centimeter marking or 10th decimeter marking. Reading a ruler is a valuable skill that you will likely use on your job, in your hobbies, and in your personal life almost every day life. Read 1 inch. Here's the main markings we'll be looking at: (notice that if you're writing the measurement of inches or feet in number form, you put ' for feet, and " for inches. Learning how to read tape measure markings is not really that hard. 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. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. I'm the math dummy in the family! Share it with us! Each smaller marking is an increasingly smaller fraction of an inch. Here's the thing- if you don't know how many markings of each kind of measurement are in an inch, you can't really read the measurement accurately right? Place the end of your tape measure on your first mark. Holding this end firmly, stretch the tape measure until it touches the second mark. Read one-half inch. The tape cost about $25, but worth every. Remember: you want to read from the biggest measurement to the smallest. How to Read a Tape Measure – There are many styles of the tape measure, some special for designs, carpentry, sewing or crafts. Let’s start with a look at one type of tape measure, which is my favorite, the easy read tape measure: 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. 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. Presentation Title: How To Read A Tape Measure. It can cause bruises if left to recoil uncontrollably. One Inch into fractions Learn with flashcards, games, and more — for free. Tape measures are tools architects and interior designers use to measure space or objects. The remaining markings follow a … Above you'll see a picture of a metric/imperial pocket tape measure. I liked that you explained that the marks on a measuring tape between the numbers go as small as 1/16th. Until recently in the US, for example, all tape measures were in Imperial units, however the dual standard option is becoming more widely available. Then, look at the point where the tape meets the end of the item you're measuring and read the nearest large number. Cloth measuring tape 2. As the increments decrease, so does the length of the mark. Tape measures in the U.S. mostly utilize Imperial measurements, which means that you measure in feet, inches and fractions of inches. But not all tape measures are alike. The following is a quick overview on how to properly read a measuring tape in daily use. If so, you’ve come to the right place. As the increments decrease, so does the length of the mark. Some tape measures make it easier to decipher the markings by calling out the fractional equivalents right on the face of the blade. For taking this measurement, you can start at 5 inches. (Use this infographic for your own website!). Oh, and if you don't like reading, or don't want to learn from this cute owl...skip to the bottom where we put a video. The longest mark labeled with large numbers (usually black) marks inches. You’ve no doubt heard the carpentry proverb “Measure twice, cut once” and may even have made it a mantra for your own projects. I am very used to decimal system and whenever I have to deal with measuring in english, I had some headaches before this ! 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. 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. To read a tape measure, think about moving from long marks down to short marks. In other words they're in centimetres and milimetres. My guess is that many of you are in the same boat as me. You can learn more about the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 tape measures by reading our article – The Advantages of a Class 1 Tape Measure. Marks on a tape measure are the straight lines that run perpendicular to the tape. If you don’t have a pencil or marking tool handy, run the serrated edge back and forth across the material being measured to mark the spot. Tape measure ; Ruler ; Yard stick ; Folding ruler ; Measuring wheel ; Scale ruler; 3 QUESTIONS. Pull the blade out to the desired radius (half the diameter of the circle) and press the lock. The one tape measure that I like the best is the Stanley FatMax. If it's in inches, there are big marks … As we know, 12 inches make up a foot, and these are marked with 1F, 2F, 3F, and so on. Below, a primer on parts and measurement increments you’ll find on a trusty tape measure. Construction projects require accurate measurements. 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. Use this chart above and even an easy read tape measure to accurately define your measurement. When using a metric tape measure, the measurements appear in centimeters, millimeters and, sometimes, meters. find the closest whole inch to the end point. 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.Reading 1/2-inch measurements is the same principle as reading one inch: simply locate the second-longest mark between the longer inch marks. These are typically marked by long, thin lines and fairly large numbers. Yes, you read that right! These are known as ‘Fractional Read’ or ‘Easy Read’ blades. Very important – don’t let the tape reel back into the housing at warp speed. 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. Measuring tapes that show inches use marks to divide inches into quarters, eighths, sixteenths and thirty-seconds. We could refer to the 1/2" mark as the 16/32" mark but we usually use the simplest numbers possible. What is a tape measure? That’s your measurement. Take the reading from the tape and add it to the length of the housing (noted on its base) to get an accurate reading. That means that once you've learned Step 1, and know what the 1/8" marking looks like, you know that there are eight 1/8" marks in that inch. But seriously, what fun would that be? 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.