How To Read Tape Measures. Comprehensive Guide And Tips
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It doesn’t matter what type of project you are trying to accomplish, accurate measurements can impact the final output. While it may seem trivial, not all craftspeople are proficient in reading tape measures.
Before you make a mistake with your cut, please follow our guide on how the tape measure works and all the perks that it offers.
Tape Measures: What You Need To Know
The most commonly used measurement tool anyone can find is a measuring tape. Tape measures can be purchased in a variety of sizes, including those that measure 15 cm to 102cm or longer in hardware stores.
You can use shorter measuring tapes if you are engaged in light activities such as hanging artwork or measuring cabinets.
When framing large projects such as decking or framing, it is a good idea to use tape measures with longer markings (64 cm or more).
Parts Of A Tape Measure
Tape
You can choose from white or yellow tapes with numeric measurement printed on the surface. You can stretch the tape further with a wider tape without worrying about it buckling. Wide tape measures are also more durable than those with narrower gauges.
It is designed as a flexible ruler, with a curved construction. This ensures that it doesn’t deform when extended to its longest length. To ensure precise measurements, it would be helpful if the tape was kept flat.
Clip for Housing and Belt
Each tape measure on the market is secured by durable housing. There are two types of housing: metal or plastic. This prevents measuring tapes expanding while being used.
The tapes should have a belt clip on their exterior. This allows you to attach the measuring instrument to your clothing for easy access.
Hooked End Tab
A metal hook can be found at the tip of the tape. To prevent tape from moving off-line, hook it onto the edges of the material.
It also acts as a stopper, preventing the tape from getting into the housing after it retracts.
Push Button Stops
Once you have extended these handy markers, push the button to recoil the tape. This will activate the flat spring attached to the tool, and the tape will be led back to its housing.
Reading An Imperial Tape Measure
It is easy to read a tape measurement using imperial measurements. These are often called inches or feet. The markings for inches on a tape measure are the most bold lines in a standard metric system.
These markings are easy to spot as the numeric measurements have large lines and are easily visible. There will be two half-inch marks per inch, as the lines are slightly shorter than the one-inch marks.
One-inch marks also carry four-quarter inch. These are noticeably smaller than the marks of one-inch. You can get a quarter-inch mark by combining two quarter-inch marks. In short, two quarter-inches equal a single -inch.
The eighth-inch markings are the second shortest lines on the tape. These measurements are divided into quarters, which equals two-eighth and one-eighth.
The sixteenth marking is the smallest in the tape measure. You’d see that the tape measure has two sixteenth markings. This is equivalent to an eighth inch. These 16 shortest markings can be found in one inch.
Your tape measure may only be able to measure inches.
A black arrow will be visible above each inch. This is to indicate imperial units. It can be used to reach the one-foot mark (two-foot mark), three-foot mark and further down the tapes length.
Metric Tape Measurement
For newbies, metric tape measures can be difficult to read. These options are the same length but each one is made up of tiny lines that break down to ten millimeters.
The entire length of a metric measuring instrument does not have incremental unit markings. This is in contrast to standard tapes. You can refer to the indicator red after every 10th cm to count the measurement.
A line of shorter length is considered one millimeter within one-centimeter ruler markings. The 5th-millimeter marker is the most prominent because it has a longer line than the others.
This design makes it easy to see the half-measurement of one centimeter.
The Special Markings
What Are The Red Numbers And How Do They Work?
Most tape measures have bold and red markings for professional builders at every 16 inches. These indicators are used as standard markers to place studs at 41 cm.
What Does The Black Diamonds Signify?
These indicators can be used to set trusses if you see a black diamond in the numeric measurements. These markers allow users to set six Trusses within a length of 2.4m.
How Will The Hook Affect The Measurement?
It can affect the measurement precision. The hook should slide on the material edge and be held in place to mark the mark.
How To Measure With A Tape Measure
- Place the tape measure hook on the material edge. The hook should be aligned with the area that you wish to measure or mark.
- Hold the measuring tape. Bring it up to the edge of the material, or the bottom of the area that you wish to mark.
- Determine the length. You can use the tape markings to add in and out the foot metrics. For metric tapes, you will need to convert the measurement to millimeters or centimeters.
Measurement Test
These are easy measurements to help you improve your measuring skills. Refer to the red lines that we have marked. Based on the above reading methods, tell us what measurement you are using.
Answer: 1 inch
The distance between the 8 cm and 10cm markers is equal to 3cm. The red marker is placed beyond the 10 cm mark and falls into the marking.
Answer:
It is easy to determine the measurement by the red lines that run around the one-centimeter mark. They are slightly longer than other millimeter markings.
Reading Tips
When measuring, make sure to keep the tape straight and in one line. If the tape’s hook moves around the material, your readings won’t be accurate. To ensure greater accuracy, mark the material with a v-shaped line instead of just one.
Safety Tips
Do not turn the tape measure at maximum speed. The hook can flutter and cause injury to your finger, or worse, fly right in your face. Wear safety goggles or gloves when working on your project.
Conclusion
We are confident that you will be able to read and interpret a tape measure correctly, so getting exact measurements won’t be as difficult as it was before. When drilling small holes or cutting material, it is important to mark the correct spots.
