how to read a tape measure for dummies

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Examine the markings on the tape measure that illustrate the lengths of the . Furthermore, although some tapes show 1m to indicate 1 meter, most will show 100 cm. THE "COMPLETE" FULL INCH MARK It is important that you can read the Tape Measure forward and backwards. It's easy to see and refers to the longest of the markings along the edge. If i had to measure something that didnt fall within one of those marks i would just mark the tape measure with a pencil or count the linesyou know it might be 32 and 3 little lines. 3. 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 bottom half measures half inches, while the top half measures inches. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The marking directly in the middle of the inch indicates a 1/2 measurement, while the markings on either side represent 1/4 and 3/4 measurements respectively. 32 & 3 blips . A tape measure typically consists of a long, flexible strip of metal or cloth marked with measurements. Using this small, sturdy hand tool can improve the accuracy of your project measurements. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Reading a tape measure add the number next to the large tick with the fraction to get the measurement. "I've always taught that using a measuring tape was difficult because of all the minuscule lines on the tape, "Your article shows the exact points on making reading a ruler so easy. Take a moment before you start cutting anything to become familiar with your tape measure and how to use it. I struggle basically all my life not been able to measure with confidence. 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. It is easier to read and to transfer a mark to the surface being measured. To assume everyone is into difficult msth is not helpful. The numbers are almost always oriented so that the tape measure pulls out to the right (thanks a lot right-handed peeps!) If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. Once you learn what the markings mean (see our next section!) I like the post a lot! Just remember to subtract an inch from your measurement. Thank you for this!! What tool is used to mark measurements? I guess I just took it for granted that people understand how to read a measuring tape . How to read tape measure for dummies. 3. x 80 in. It's like a flexible ruler. Does the metal hook feel loose? The lines on your tape measure make it easier to get a precise reading, and it's pretty easy to figure out how to read your measurement once you understand them. australia You can use a tape measure to cut plywood with a table saw. So one inch equals 2.54 centimeters. Easy to Read Scale Markings Retractable Tape Measure SRA. Also, a must see hack or even a life skill for next time you are purchasing a Stanley tape measure. My guess is that many of you are in the same boat as me. No matter which type of measuring tape you decide to get, the most important thing is that you get familiar with and become confident in reading the markings on them! I use metric in my science classes which is so much easier!! Each eighth line indicates 1/2 inch;every fourth line marks a 1/4 inch, every second line represents 1/8 of an inch, and each first line marks a 1/16 inch. These are usually marked with long, thin lines and fairly large numbers as you can see in the image above. Learn How to Read Your Tape Measure! Releasing the thumb lock will allow the tape to retract into the case. , Thanks so much for this its really helpful!! cable Usually (but not always) after every 12 inches you will find a onefootmark. Thanks for the idea. Counting over from the 3 mark, we see that its 11/16. free Verify that the tape is pressed flush against the item you are measuring, to get rid of any gaps between the item and the measuring tape, in order to take an accurate measurement. Learning how to use a tape measure properly means to always "measure twice, cut once." A few pieces of advice on tape measure use and care: We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Please let me know if you have any questions. Required fields are marked *. Some have special markings every 3 feet as well. Is there an easier way? He than asked 3 big or little blips! The top of the tape measurement divides into standard measurements of inches, feet and yards. What are the black diamonds on a measuring tape? 1cm is approximately 0.3937 inch and 1 inch is approximately 2.54cm. Ok, now that we have the theory out of the way, lets practice a few! This is what helped me, seeing it broken downIm a visual learner. How to Read a Tape Measure - Simple Tutorial & Free Cheat Sheet Reading A Tape Measure For Dummies - YouTube Most often the blade is made of metal coated in plastic. Jot down the measurement, then add that number to the number on the back of your housing for the exact interior measurement. Making our way down, the next smallest measurement is the 1/4 marks. You can just skip ahead to another project! So helpful to me. 2020 For example, if the measurement is two marks beyond the 5/10 center mark towards the 7 inch mark, the measurement is read as 6-7 / 10 inches. Here's How to Measure Accurately, Easy Ways to Measure Liquids When You Dont Have a Measuring Cup. It allows you to hook your tape measure conveniently onto a belt. Today i will show you a how to read measurements from a #tapemeasure. I only wish those that write these understand that there will always be some who still cannot grasp it. Tape measures often use small, black diamond or triangle shapes called black. )if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'startwoodworkingnow_com-banner-1','ezslot_14',188,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-startwoodworkingnow_com-banner-1-0'); The eighth-inch markings are even smaller than the quarter-inch markings. this type of measuring tape will be easy to read too. How To Measure Shoe Size With Tape Measure, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrchBGzC0bA&ab_channel=StumpyNubs, How to read a tape measure without looking like an idiot (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrchBGzC0bA&ab_channel=StumpyNubs), How To Make Wood Drawers Slide Easier [Simple Fix], How to Stain Wood [Easy Beginners Guide], How to Remove Sap from Wood [In 5 Easy Ways], How to Remove Crayon from Wood [5 Quick Ways], How to Waterproof Outdoor Wood [Fast and Effectively], How to Glue a Mirror to Wood (Fast & Effective). Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Home Improvement Specialist. The nice thing about them is the 1 marks are much larger and easier to read than the easy read tape measure option discussed above. To measure, you lay out the tape along the corresponding route and then read off the scale. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. All of them have equally spaced markings indicating a measurement. Markings range from 1 inch to 1/16 inch on most tape measures. What does CM look like on a tape measure? The tape is made of a flexible material and has a scale. Examine the remaining indicator lines to see how many millimeters are left over. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. An easy read tape measure has the most dimension details on the tape, making the reading of your measurement easier to recognize and quite possibly quicker. As you can see in the second image, a half-inch mark is always centered between the two one-inch marks. Plus, you can download our free printable cheat sheet to use as a reference while you work! reddit How to Read a Tape Measure - The Spruce 1 inch 1/2 inch 1/4 inch 1/8 inch 1/16 inch 1/32 inch. We will show you how to read a tape measure in a very easy way. 1 6/16 in . (For all of you mathematically inclined people, please ignore my simplistic break down of an already basic tape! This means you can measure up to 1/16 of an inch. 25K 1.6M views 7 years ago Explains how to read a ruler with 16th increments. The trick to reading standard tapes is learning to recognize the markings from largest to smallest. In my defense I had never been taught what all the little lines meant. Next, determine which side of the half mark between the numbers your measurement sits on. The numbers on the tape measure are divided into two rows: the row below the tape is in cm and the upper one row is in inches. Countdown or to the nearest fraction. In this case, its on the 1/16 marker size so we know its some amount of sixteenth inches. Calipers are measuring tools used to precisely determine the width of a gap or object, much more accurately than a tape measure or ruler. Joyful Derivatives DIY Home Improvement. It aids in extending the tape from the case and holding the tape in place for measuring. 2cm / 2.54 is 0.78740157480315 inches. Thanks to this spring, the tape can go back after it is extended. The tape measure housing is 3 1/8, so when you add the two measurements, you come up with 21 for the interior of this drawer. Thanks for dumbing it down. If you look at the picture below you can see how this all makes sense. To convert an inch to centimeters you just have to multiply the value by 2.54 centimeters. Thank you for sharing. After watching this video, you should be able to read a tape or at very least learned enough about reading a tape to get you started. How well can you decipher those little marks on your tape measure (see figure)? A wider tape can be extended further without bending, and it will hold up better over time than a small, narrow tape. My experiences have taught me that the biggest problem with math comprehension is poor math teachers. Some tapes measure from 32 to 64 marks to the inch. how to read measuring tape Reading A Ruler Tape Reading Metric Conversion Chart Measurement Conversions Workshop Modelista How To Create Infographics Math Tricks Below I have created an infographic and a video on how to read a tape measure efficiently. how to read measuring tape Having had no idea about how really to measure. However, if we want to keep the tape stopped in place we can press the lock or stop button. This article will show you! Shortest lines are the 16ths, going up in length to8ths, 4ths, 1/2 and inch. Home Tools, Gear & Equipment Tools & Supplies Tape Measures & Rulers. To read an inch, look for the large numbers. Metric tapes show centimeters. x 80.25 in. If a board measures 50 centimeters plus three little marks, the dimension is 503 millimeters. 3. style Between the centimeter lines, nine marks indicate millimeters. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Changing to a differently calibrated tape measure and reading that the exact measurement can be confusing as each mark is not labeled on a tape measure. No more wondering what are all the markings on a tape measure? This article has been viewed 3,245,538 times. I have to save it in my wall. This post contains affiliate links. This guide will show you how to read a tape measure. Besides digital models, which uses an electronic screen, a caliper can display. Need one? The read will be: 2 3/8 (2 inches and 3 eights), In this example the read will be : 2 and 7/8 (2 inches and 7 eights). This really helped us both. Now its just a memorization game. When you use this link to visit our sponsor, you support us Ridge Carbide (Use coupon code SNWJ10): https://goo.gl/z8TP0kSubscribe (free) to Stumpy Nubs Wood. Find the foot (ft) mark (if what youre measuring is one foot or longer) that is closest to, or slightly less than the end of the object or distance you are measuring. Some tapes measure from 32 to 64 marks to the inch. Thank you so much for this much needed post! So, I thought we could do a little: How To Read a Tape Measure 101. Some precise measuring tapes may have marks representing 1/32-inch or even 1/64-inch. It is important to mention that depending on how wide the tape is, the harder it will be. There are eight-eighths of an inch in an inch. A 16-foot tape measure, for example, will have sixteen one-foot marks along its length and 192 one-inch marks (12 inches per foot). Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Go to the store and buy and easy read tape measure and it will help u out alot. The measurements on a tape measure are generally 16 marks to the inch. It slapped me in the face when teaching bases and some of the adult students did. After half inch there will be the quarter inch. This allows the tape to give an accurate inside and outside measurement. similarly, what does 5/16 look like on a ruler? We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Need Help? Well, that's my quick and easy method for how to . Make sure the tape measure is evenly aligned for an exact measurement. Most Popular Posts of 2014 & My Favortites, 4 FREE Phone Wallpapers (Perfect for When You are Trying to Loss Weight) . wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 2.1.1 How to Read a Tape Measure Step 1. The longest mark indicates one inch. The -inch, -inch, and -inch marks can alternatively be read as 2/8-inch, 4/8-inch, and 6/8-inch. How to distinguish what are inches from centimeters? Check this article here! Manage Settings This post may seem really simple and you may already know how to read a tape measure. Numbers shown represent meters, decimeters (sometimes shown in red-see example picture), and centimeters. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. I knew the the basics1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and inches, but the other lines were always a mystery. 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. osrs Basic fractions. I did find a measuring tape that has all the 3/16 etc. Use a screw or nail as an anchor point to fix the end of your tape measure in place. For fractions of inches, it can help to count up or down from the larger marks. The hook is a bent piece of metal that hooks over the edge of a board or counter. These diamonds will help you to make these marks for the manufacture of the uprights. The 1/16 marks split the 1/8 and 1/4 and the 1/32 marks are the smallest of all. By using our site, you agree to our. The first shorter lines on most measurement tapes are sixteenth inch marks. You are a life saver! Doing a bit better but would never be able to simply read a tape meadure by memory. Before we talk math, I wanted to point out a few things you need to know when learning how to read a tape measure: Ok, time to dive into the math! The smallest means 1/16 of an inch, the second smallest means 1/8 of an inch, then third-smallest means 1/4 inch and the largest means half an inch. How many 16ths are in an inch? Its simpler to note a 10-ft. 2-in. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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