Bending the tape can lead to an estimate instead of an exact measurement. 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. They usually come in lengths from 6 feet to 35 feet long. How to Read Tape Measure - The Basics. Commonly a tape measure can be seen in a carpenter’s tool box. 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. Freemans Measures Hi- Plastika 15M ₹ 227.00 . ", "My son needed to know how to read a measuring tape for a school project. The hook end is point 0. How to read a sewing measuring tape. A tape measure basically uses a specific measurement system. Twelve of these equal one foot. 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. 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. These tools will make it easier to calculate square meters, since they were designed in the same system of measurement. 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. To create this article, 60 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Measurement Increments on a Tape Measure 1. 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. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Sep 14, 2020 - Explore Michele Volponi's board "how to read measuring tape" on Pinterest. This is usually in a different color than the other markings — often r… This is handy in certain situations, like for instance, when you're measuring into a tight corner. 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. To avoid cutting too short, always round up to the larger measurement. Luckily, with the proper approach, using a tape measure can be a quick, easy way to get you the information you need about your project. I'm really glad that y'all have that, thank you. To account for this, the tang slides out 1/16 of an inch when it is hooked onto an object, allowing the true measurement to be taken. 3. 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. Marks range from 1 inch down to 1/16 inch on most tape measures. The tape is usually self supporting, with an end-of-tape tab. 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. 2:47. Some reveals English measurement (feet and inches) while others use Metric measurement (meters and centimeters). Was not sure about little markings, but, "Clear information, and useful tips. Put the end of the measure at one end of the item or space you want to measure. 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. When reading a tape measure, find the closest whole inch to the end point. If the increment on the tape measure is not labeled, then determine the marking’s increment and calculate the respective fraction and length. This article has been viewed 2,909,813 times. This section deals with how to use the two most common styles of tape measure. Slowly allow the blade to return to the housing. 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. A tape measure can be calibrated either in inches, feet and yards or in metric units, or both. Marks on a tape measure are the straight lines that run perpendicular to the tape. 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. A diameter tape (D-tape) is a measuring tape used to estimate the diameter of a cylinder object, typically the stem of a tree or pipe. The distance between every line on the tape measure is 1/16 of an inch. Step 1 - Understand the Markings on the Tape. 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. The ring or other device is fastened to the tape by a metal strip of the same width as the metric woven tape. Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. ", after reading this article, I realized how easy it is to use a tape.". Metric tape measures. It is assumed that the cylinder object is a perfect circle. Extend the tape measure, the tape is in increments of 16ths, 8ths, 4ths, 1/2's and inches. Then examine leftover indicator lines to see what fractions of an inch remain. Lay the tape on the floor and hook the end into one corner of the room. If your tape is marked with the English or Standard system, it will be broken into inches. See more ideas about Tape, Tape measure, Reading. Stretch the blade across the object, press the lock, and then observe where the blade meets the end of the object. Freemans Measures Fiber Plastika 50 Meters ₹ 752.00 . [1] X Research source Every 12 inches, there will often (but not always) be a foot marking. ... ₹ 675.00 . When it comes to construction and craftsmanship, taking accurate measurements can be the difference between a great finished product and a subpar one. This article has 17 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. To learn about the differences between the imperial system and the metric system, read on! ", measurements. 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. When reading a tape measure, the edge of the object may fall between two lines on the blade. TIP: There are 100 centimeters in a meter and 10 millimeters in a centimeter. Thank you! When using a metric tape measure, the measurements appear in centimeters, millimeters and, sometimes, meters. Tape measure blades are slightly concave to increase the blade’s rigidity when in use. It depends on the tape measure itself, they come in different lengths. In this case, keep in mind that two eighths of an inch make a quarter. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,909,813 times. 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. Add to cart. Add to cart. Let's say that we've measured past the one-inch mark, past one quarter-inch mark, and past one eighth-inch mark. Always ensure that the tang is fully extended when hooked onto an edge. Example: Measure a space on your wall. 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. Different types of measuring tapes used in sewing 1 The regular measuring tape. The measuring tape has got a number of lines indicating specific measurements. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. For example, let's say that we want the answer above in metres. 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. 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. 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. Safety Tips Measure a length. Try to keep the tape straight to ensure an accurate measurement! This article has been viewed 2,909,813 times. On a tape measure labeled with imperial units, the most prominent marks are usually the one-inch marks. This guide will explain how to read a tape measure with Imperial units. The tape runs along the … This is an easy way to estimate yards and meters of cord, fabric, or ribbon. But not all tape measures are alike. A prime (apostrophe) is used for feet, while a double prime (quotation mark) is used for inches. Typically a measuring tape for measuring the body is 60 inches long which is about 1.5 meters (152 cms). In this case, you need to use the markings on either side to guide you. Put simply 1 = 1", 2 = 2" and so on. 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. Pull the blade out to the desired radius (half the diameter of the circle) and press the lock. The mark directly in the middle of the inch denotes a measurment of 1/2" whilst the markings either side of it represent measurements of 1/4" and 3/4" respectively. Use the same pattern for recognizing these miniscule measurements. Steps of Reading a Steel Measuring Tape. 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. In this case, since there are 100 centimetres in one metre, we could use a conversion factor like this: In general, to go from centimetres to metres, shift the decimal two places to the left, and to go from metres to centimetres, shift it two places to the right. A tape measure is an essential tool for both dressmakers and woodworkers. It is very easy to explain to the trainees. If you like to work in meters and centimeters there are better metric tape measures out there for you. Thus, most manual tapes won't be much longer than the human arm span. 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. The dull serrated edge on the end of the tang can also be used as a marker. Tape measures are commonly used in construction, architecture, building, home projects, crafts, and woodworking. But, sometimes your measurement ends up falling on one of those little lines with no number markings. A tape measure basically uses a specific measurement system. 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. Most tape measures have common elements to be able to use them easily. Step 1: Examine your tape measure. 60 inches and 7/16ths of an inch would be written as 60-7/16.". WELCOME TO FREEMANS MEASURES. The top portion of a standard tape measure is feet, inches and fractions of inches. Most tape measures have common elements to be able to use them easily. Metric measurements are even easier to calculate. 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. You can also try putting a kink in the tape, then lining up this kink with the edge of what you're measuring. It is indicated by a 1m. The pictures made it really easy to follow and, "The uncomplicated layout of the measuring tape, indicating the number range, was very helpful. Since extensometers are one of the most significant monitoring instruments, let us give you a better insight into its working principle, construction, specifications, and application areas. Meterk Laser Tape Measure 2 in 1, Laser Measure 131.2Ft/40M, Measuring Tape 16.5Ft/5M, Multifunctional Laser Distance Meter with Type-C Charging and LCD Digital Display for Measuring Area/Volume 4.2 out of 5 stars 328 The hole in the tang can also be used to make perfect circles, great if you’re crafting a lazy susan, or round tabletop. 7 Easy Makeovers That Totally Transform. For a 12 inch measurement, do I mark the left edge of the 12" gradation, the center, or the right edge? A 1/16 of an inch, is usually the smallest measurement on a tape measure. Reading it used to be a problem for me. 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. To measure a room from one corner to the other: All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Measuring tape is pretty straightfoward, but there's no shame in getting a tad disoriented. Note: To find a length that is less than 1 inch, just read the tape measure of the length. 1. Designated Inches. "This helped me how to read about tape measuring.". 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. For example, if you wanted to write five feet, one and a half inches, you would write it like this: 5'1 1/2". Generally, laser measures are more accurate and deliver better results than traditional tape measures. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Match correctly to win. 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. 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. 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. This a common layout measurement for various items used in building homes and other structures. 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. Note: To find a length that is less than 1 inch, just read the tape measure of the length. Sep 14, 2020 - Explore Michele Volponi's board "how to read measuring tape" on Pinterest. Approved. Without measuring devices like rulers (and people who can read them) we would still be living in caves! 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 ruler is really simple once you know what you're doing. 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. Notice that the measuring tape is broken down in inches. To read a tape measure, think about moving from long marks down to short marks. If your measuring tape doesn't have 0.5 centimetre markings, the fifth millimetre after each centimetre marks the 0.5 centimetre. Tape Measure Marks . This curve lets the blade be pulled out further without losing stiffness, helping take longer measurements with more accuracy. 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. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. If, for instance, it's three 1/8 inch marks past 24 inches, it is 24 3/8 inches wide. The initials FT or ft mean "foot" or "feet". 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. Tape measures may have measurements in imperial and metric, imperial-only, or metric-only. We'll walk you through the basics of each type of ruler. Why is there an arrow marking on 16, 32, 48, etc. Reading a Tape Measure. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. To learn about the differences between the imperial system and the metric system, read on! 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! Either make a mark or secure the tape measure in place. How to read a tape measure with metric markings, in millimetres, centimetres and metres. 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. Numbers shown represent meters, decimeters (sometimes shown in red-see example picture), and centimeters. Watch Now: How to Read a Tape Measure. The nearest line on the blade to the end of the object is the final measurement. If it's in inches, there are big marks for inches and smaller marks for parts of an inch. That would make the total measured space 17 and 1/4 inches. ", "We can use it for training purposes. Q: Can you use laser measure outside? Taking a measurement in metric units works just the same as measuring any other unit. Many are 3". The markings represent meters, centimeters, and millimeters. 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. By Timothy Dale. Measure a length with the yard stick or tape measure. 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. Add to cart. 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. 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). In the example below, we are measuring to the arrow. Most will show fractions down to eighths of an inch. Some tape measures make it easier to decipher the markings by calling out the fractional equivalents right on the face of the blade. These are known as ‘Fractional Read’ or ‘Easy Read’ blades. 1. 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.). Other advanced measures are able to measure at an accuracy of 1/32. Cloth measuring tape 2. % of people told us that this article helped them. 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. Thanks. Complete the rotation and you should have a perfect circle. We will walk you through everything you need to know about tape measure reading, tape measure markings, and more. See more ideas about Tape, Tape measure, Reading. Notice the metric side of the tape measure. There are 100 centimeters in a meter and 10 millimeters in a centimeter. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Thank you, wikiHow. 2. There are 100 centimeters in a meter and 10 millimeters in a centimeter. Between those numbers are a series of shorter marks which represent fractions of an inch. The tape measure is one of the most convenient tools for measuring lengths and distances nowadays, yet reading a tape measure can be tricky! 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. The markings represent meters, centimeters, and millimeters. The 5 mm mark indicates 5 mm and indicates a half centimeter (0.5 cm). Step 5: Write your measurement Write your measurement in feet, inches, and fractions of an inch. 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. If the increment on the tape measure is not labeled, then determine the marking’s increment and calculate the respective fraction and length. 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. The distance between each measurement with a red dot. Use the big, numbered markings for inches. Make a straight horizontal line on the sheet of paper. 2. They are available in a variety of styles and lengths ranging from 3 ft to 35 ft making them ideal for jobs both small and large. If your tape is marked with the English or Standard system, it … in the inches column of the tape? Pull the tang out and hold it to the other side of the bookshelf. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. and I believe that this is the best outline on how to read a tape measure. The markings represent meters, centimeters, and millimeters. Notice the metric side of the tape measure. KVN Easy Read 5M 19mm ₹ 202.00 . 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. 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 10 decimeters in a meter, 10 centimeters in a decimeter, and 10 millimeters in a centimeter. Metric is based on ‘tens’. By using our site, you agree to our. Then, taking measurements will be a breeze. Step 1 - Understand the Markings on the Tape. 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. A: Laser measures can be used outside. 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. A 1/16 of an inch, is usually the smallest measurement on a tape measure. Step 1: Examine your tape measure. 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. 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.