Quickly seeing which of two 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-measure. We know it’s more than 3/4 of an inch and less than one full inch. For example, the half-inch mark between inches three and four stands for 3 1/2 inches, even though it's not labeled. 10⁄16" and 12⁄16". Exactly where is the measurement taken? Find the length. isaac_king1217. To create this article, 60 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. What is Half of 120 3/4 inches 5/8''+ 1' What is half of … Tape Measure Tangle: A year 6, length worksheet #311322 My Measurements | Worksheet | Education.com #311323 Reading a Tape Measure Easy as 1 2 3 - YouTube #311324 We have 16' and 25' tape measures, 12" and 24" Stainless Steel rulers, and an Adhesive Backed Bench tape. The 12 foot is a great size for projects or hanging artwork, and the 25 foot is going to be long enough to measure most rooms or bigger projects. ", "I was wondering about the little lines and now I know! To learn about the differences between the imperial system and the metric system, read on! The remaining markings follow a similar pattern. As an example, the image below shows a length that goes from the inch mark to an unlabeled marking. One of the key steps in making accurate woodworking cuts is the tape measure reading — specifically, remembering it once you get to the saw to make the cut. 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 marking, this means that your dresser is between 24 and 25 inches wide. Meter or 1m: The one-meter marking is located at the one 100th centimeter marking or 10th decimeter marking. In this case, keep in mind that two eighths of an inch make a quarter. 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. I've been in it for over 30 years, "These examples on how to read a tape measure really helped me refresh my memory on how to make accurate, "I've always taught that using a measuring tape was difficult because of all the minuscule lines on the tape, but, "Your article shows the exact points on making reading a ruler so easy. ", measurements. Take this quiz! Let's say that we measure past the 33 centimetre mark to the sixth millimetre marking. Thanks. However, the term covers all types of tape measures – even tailor’s tape. Measurements. It also helps hold the tape measure in place to provide accurate readings. The distance from the 2" to 3" marker is, of course, 1". If you're looking for how to read the markings on your tape measure, click here. When the length stops, take a reading on the tape measure. 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. It is indicated by a 1m. 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'm really glad that y'all have that, thank you. There are two standard systems of units, the Imperial and Metric system. Thank you! Forget your notepad — this tip makes tape measure reading simple, so you don’t have to remember the measurements before returning to the saw. A tape measure is a roll of metal tape with measurement markings on and is used for measuring. Look on the case body for the width indicator. of the blade, reducing tape tear. Most tape measure markings go as small as. 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. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,914,556 times. ", "Specific steps helped. 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.). wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Take your measurement from the tape and then add the 3" for the complete width. This measurement is very precise. In order to determine the length, you must add the lengths between inches together. ", "My son needed to know how to read a measuring tape for a school project. 5% coupon applied at checkout Save 5% with coupon. Also provides explanation of basic fraction reduction. Change Author / Owner : Reading a tape measure Owner : Find New Owner : Save Cancel Recommended Lesson Plan : Reading a tape measure. The initials FT or ft mean "foot" or "feet". As the fraction decreases, so do the length of the marks. 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). 60 inches and 7/16ths of an inch would be written as 60-7/16.". Shop all tape measures for sale from Johnson Level. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. in the inches column of the tape? Reading A Tape Measure GTT. To find the middle of these two numbers, multiply the denominator by 2. You can buy them in lengths of 10 feet, 16 feet, 25 feet, 30 feet, 33 feet, 35 feet, 40 feet and so on. A little more difficult. Place the front of the tape at the start point and extend it until after you reach the stop point. Find/read the markings. For example, ½" has a bigger mark than ¼" which has a bigger mark than ⅛", and so on. If you need to measure beyond your reach, you can try keeping the zero end of your tape measure in place with a weight or getting a friend to help. and I believe that this is the best outline on how to read a tape measure. 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! Start by looking at the whole inch markings. LICHAMP Tape Measure 25 ft, 6 Pack Bulk Easy Read Measuring Tape Retractable with Fractions 1/8, Measurement Tape 25-Foot by 1-Inch 4.6 out of 5 stars 238 $27.99 $ 27 . This a common layout measurement for various items used in building homes and other structures. Thanks. 25 ft. x 1.2 in. To measure a room from one corner to the other: All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. As the increments decrease, so does the length of the mark. They are among the most common measuring tools used today. These are typically marked by long, thin lines and fairly large numbers. Jot down the measurement, then add that number to the number on the back of your housing for the exact interior measurement. From the inch mark to the ⅛" mark is ⅛". Think of this as what's halfway between 5⁄8" and 3⁄4"? Last Updated: September 3, 2020 1⁄32" less than that = 15⁄32". The actual tape potion of the measure, called the ‘ribbon,’ is usually constructed from a stiff metallic material that can stiffen when needed but can also roll up for simple use and storage. For example, let's say that we want the answer above in metres. How do I write in feet, inches, and fractions of an inch? You know the smallest marks denote 1⁄32". ", "We can use it for training purposes. They usually come in lengths from 6 feet to 35 feet long. In some countries such as the UK, tape measures have both Imperial and Metric measurement markings. Dutch Remake. For this reason, it's usually fine to refer to half-centimetre markings in decimal terms (i.e., 1 1/2 centimetres becomes 1.5 centimetres.). http://www.johnsonlevel.com/News/TapeMeasure, https://www.ustape.com/blog/accurately-reading-a-tape-measure/, https://sewguide.com/sewing-tape-measure/, https://www.ck12.org/measurement/tools-for-measurement-of-customary-and-metric-lengths/lesson/Appropriate-Measurement-Tools-MSM6/, https://www.mathsisfun.com/measure/metric-length.html, https://sciencing.com/read-metric-tape-measure-4472324.html, http://thesweethome.com/reviews/the-best-tape-measure/, https://www.constructionprotips.com/tools-materials/ultimate-tape-measure-guide/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, Every 12 inches, there will often (but not always) be a. 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. Specialized versions can include markings that cover truss lengths for roofing and stud intervals for housing. % of people told us that this article helped them. Find the lowest common denominator: 5⁄8" and 6⁄8". wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. If it is, for instance, six inches at this point, then your wrist has a circumference of about six inches. To read a tape measure, think about moving from long marks down to short marks. This article has been viewed 2,914,556 times. 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. ", after reading this article, I realized how easy it is to use a tape.". How to Read a Tape Measure. Until recently in the US, for example, all tape measures were in Imperial units, however the dual standard option is becoming more widely available. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. 1 inch 1/2 inch 1/4 inch 1/8 inch 1/16 inch 1/32 inch. Tape measures come in both Imperial Units (inches and feet) and metric (centimeters and meters), featuring unit breakdowns for further accuracy. It wasn’t until carpenters adopted the Farrand Rapid Rule, patented by Hiram Farrand, that the tape measure became a staple of common usage. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. 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 … wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Break it down into simpler parts. For example, if you wanted to write five feet, one and a half inches, you would write it like this: 5'1 1/2". 11⁄16". Measure a length. Read 1 inch. Then, look at the point where the tape meets the end of the item you're measuring and read the nearest large number. 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters; therefore, "n" centimeters = n x 2.54. 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. [1] X Research source Every 12 inches, there will often (but not always) be a foot marking. If your measuring tape doesn't have 0.5 centimetre markings, the fifth millimetre after each centimetre marks the 0.5 centimetre. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Read-a-Measuring-Tape-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-a-Measuring-Tape-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Read-a-Measuring-Tape-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/aid4365-v4-728px-Read-a-Measuring-Tape-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"410","licensing":"