how to measure with a tape measure

On a retractable tape measure, this is the lock that you can engage with your thumb to stop the tape from retracting back into the body while you mark down your measurement. The 25-foot model tested at around 13 feet, not the 17 feet claimed by the manufacturer. The measurements on this tape measure run vertically on one side and horizontally on the other. Finding the correct shoe size starts with accurately measuring your feet. Overall, we found this to be a very accurate, durable, and useful tape measure for professionals, DIYers, and around-the-house users alike. Add the fractions to the number of inches to get the total measurement. Put your mark 0 at the objects side you want to measure from, then the measurement result is where the mark touches the side you measure to. However, measuring with tape measures is slightly different yet significantly affected. What a tape measure can do is actually much more than a ruler can. There are some, however, that automatically lock the blade in place as it is extended, and do not release the blade until you push the button to retract it, such as the Milwaukee Compact Auto Lock. Each tape measure was extended to its full length while the tester held it at various angles and noted the point at which the tape measure could no longer remain straight. The bottom of the hook is pretty sharp to be used to make a mark. The recoil when releasing the blade can be quite strong; our tester commented that it might actually knock the tape measure right out of your hands if your grip isn't secure. A second way to get lesson plans online is to simply search for free resources. If plastic, it should be heavy enough to withstand regular use and occasional drops. If you are looking for this, you can find it on our best tape measure reviews. Stand with one foot on the paper and a slight bend in your knees. 1/16. While this heavy-duty tape measure is probably more than you need for typical use around the house, we highly recommend it for people who need a tape measure that can survive the rigors of a jobsite. You can also sit in a chair, but On the back, it will tell you how long it is so you don't have to curl the tape to measure a tight space. You can use a tape measure for more than just measuring. Get the latest updates about new courses, special trainings, resources, and more. With enough practice, reading a tape measure down to fractions of an inch will become second nature. If you know how to use it and read the marks properly, thats good, whereas if you are still a newbie in terms of using it, then this post is right for you. It can come in various sizes depending on the length of tape it needs to house. Buying pre-vetted individual lesson plans can get very pricey. How Long Will A Tape Measure Last? For this roundup, she relied on results from product testers, as well as manufacturer information and customer feedback both positive and negative. This was repeated several times while the recoil was evaluated for smoothness, aggressiveness, and ease of control. Every so often, we find that students and teachers alike could use a break from a pencil and paper. Once all testing was completed, the testers assigned each tape measure a score of 1 to 5 in categories of accuracy, durability, ease of use, performance, and value. ", He adds, "For most people, a 25-foot option is great because its easy to store and long enough to handle most measuring tasks around the house. To avoid cutting too short, always round up to the larger measurement. If the shoe collar height is too high or theres rubbing or other irritation around the ankle, you may be wearing a size thats too big. To measure a length as exactly as possible for detailed finishing work or expensive materials where you really only have one shot to get it right, try the burning an inch method. LearnMore. If you start from mark 1, then you have to always reduce the result by 1. Mark the tip of the big toe and the outermost part of the heel, and use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the distance between the two points. In some cases, these cookies involve the processing of your personal data. Running Shoe Fit Guide: What to Look for When You Shop, Nike asks you to accept cookies for performance, social media and advertising purposes. There's no need to break your budget for a tape measure if you just need a basic tool for taking measurements around the house. There are some, however, including the Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure, that actually indicate the fractions with numerals rather than lines, which can be much easier to read. Some types of hooksare manufactured with a magnetic property or even totally magnetic. Similarly, when you have something where the tape can hook, you do pulling/inside measurement. These are very useful tools for sewing and similar projects but are also handy for taking body measurements, measuring items with curved surfaces, or general measuring tasks around the home. Copyright 2023 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. In our tests, the standout of both the 16-foot and 25-foot tape measures was around 9 feet, which is shorter than most others we evaluated. How to read a tape measure and five surprising hacks. The casing is also its own measuring tool. The hole in the tang can also be used to make perfect circles, great if youre crafting a lazy susan, or round tabletop. - Measure widths and heights of any objects. If you have nothing to hook, you can drive a nail or screw on a certain spot you want, and use the slot feature to hook your tape. But, if you are familiar with the metric such as millimeter, centimeter, and meter, then you should have the metric one. But there are shorter tape measures for those only needing the tool for small tasks like measuring a piece of furniture, looking for the right spot to drive a nail to hang a picture, or centering a television. It has excellent standout, with the 16-foot model testing at around 11 feet and the 25-foot model testing at around 13 feet. Take the average of both measurements to get your final numbers. Canada uses the same footwear sizing system as the U.S., so there is no need to convert U.S. shoe size to Canadian shoe size. You can mark a circle with this. The tang also has a small hole in the end, just above the serrated edge, specifically designed to be hooked onto a nail or screwvery helpful when measuring a flat surface and working without a partner. Its 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. This measurement represents the length of your feet. The hook touches the material you push and the loose hook will slightly move in. Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. The activity will not only expand their knowledge of measurements and comparisons, but build confidence as they work independently, or in student groups. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. You can always change your preference by visiting the "Cookie Settings" at the bottom of the page. The further the length of the tape can reach, the longer its standout. Longer lengths are for larger scale builds and shorter lengths are for finer work like furniture building and detailed, smaller cuts. . Now that youve measured your foot size, compare the measurements against a Nike size chart to find the best shoe size for you. More. You will never see the mark 0 on the tape because its the place where the hook to be. The metal hook at the end of a tape measure is intentionally not fixed, it wiggles to make up for the hooks thickness (usually 1/16 inch) to obtain the accurate measurement or true zero. To get more information or amend your preferences, press the more information button or visit "Cookie Settings" at the bottom of the website. Its normal for preferences to vary from person to person. If you do pulling measurement, then right the inside hook is the mark 0. DIY 101: How To Properly Read a Tape Measure - The Foot marks are made every 12 inches so that you dont have to convert inches into feet in your head for long measurements. In general, these lesson plans will be of a higher-than-average quality and are typically written by educational professionals. So read on to explore this humble must-have implement and learn to employ it properlyfor everything from measuring the inside width of a bookshelf to rapid stud location to drawing a perfect circle. Do you accept these cookies and the processing of personal data involved? ; Arms: Stand up straight with one Become a Contributor and make money. The 1-inch-wide blade is coated with nylon for durability, and the case of the tape measure is very sturdy, with a rubbery coating for easy grip and added protection against damage from drops. How to Measure It also has a somewhat aggressive recoil, meaning that if you don't take care, you might get nicked by the retracting blade. WebReading A Tape Measure. The entire length of the 1-1/4-inch-wide blade is coated for sturdiness, but the first 6 inches have an additional rip-shield coating to ward off kinks or damage. The hook should move 1/16th of an inch, this also should be For very young children (like toddlers), if they are constantly fidgeting with their footwear or attempting to take them on and off frequently, they may be wearing the wrong size. Family Handyman Senior Editor, Travis Larson will show you how to use and tape measure and clever ways to The Irwin Strait-Line Tape Measure Ranked #1 In Our Tests. You will need a small screwdriver and a can of compressed air for this method. Getting familiar with the measurements on a tape will also help you work faster and more efficiently. The standout of the 16-foot model in our tests was around 10-1/2 feet and the 25-foot model had an average standout of around 12-1/2 feet. Instead, sit the base of the tape measure against one side of the object to be measured. Not only can your tape measure make a circle, but also the slot is helpful in performing a vertical measurement. Tape measure blades are slightly concave to increase the blades rigidity when in use. The last step is to take your band size and cup and put them together to give you your bra size. Although a bit on the large side, we found that both the 16-foot and 25-foot models were easy to hold and felt comfortable in our hands. You can use these standard dimensions as the basis for estimating the rough size of larger items. The measurements are black against a yellow tape for improved readability, and the marks are down to 1/16th of an inch the entire length of the blade. This curve lets the blade be pulled out further without losing stiffness, helping take longer measurements with more accuracy. Get a complete tutorial on how to use a tape measure like a pro from builder and craftsman Jordan Smith in MT Copelands Hand Tools online course. Whenever possible, we included both the 16-foot and 25-foot models of the same tape measure and tested them together at our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa. Fold a 3-by-5-inch index card into even thirds along the long axis, and you have an accurate inch-long measure. There should be enough room for you to place the tip of your finger in that space. However, overall this is an accurate, sturdy, and reliable tool, especially if you tend to drop tape measures or put them through rigorous use. To get an accurate measurement, its important that the tape lays as flat as possible against the surface. For example, if you're a size 8 in women's shoes, you're likely a size 6.5 in men's shoes. To get more information about these cookies and the processing of your personal data, check our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Like most such tools, the markings are in 1/16-inch increments, with standard stud and joist spacings also indicated on the blade. This magnetic will prevent the hook from moving during measurement. Tape a piece of paper to a hard floor, ensuring the paper doesnt slip. Our tester did note that the recoil was a bit slow but reliable. WebBy Bhushan Mahajan What Is Measure Tape? Unlike most other options, this one has a fractional scalethat means it actually has the fractions printed right onto the nylon bladeso you can see clearly indicated 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2-inch numerals, plus small lines to indicate 1/16ths of an inch. Measurement markings on both side of blade. Then engage the lock if your tape measure has one, or hold the tape in place with your hand to secure. Conversely, the outside hook is the mark 0 if you do pushing measurement. 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. But, there are places to find quality worksheets for those who know how to look! Experts explain what the Jim Carrey film got right and wrong about reality TV, Behind 'Boogeyman,' the Stephen King-based horror film that's terrorized test audiences and critics, 'The Idol': From 'torture porn' allegations to 'sleazy' reviews, controversy swirls around Lily-Rose Depp and the Weeknd's new show. Take the reading from the tape and add it to the length of the housing (noted on its base) to get an accurate reading. The Stanley FatMax is especially durable and constructed to stand up to rigorous use on jobsites. In the U.S. standard framing distance is 16 inches. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These charts reflect U.S. footwear sizes. The most common length for a sewing tape measure is 5 feet, but there are some as long as 12 feet. Check your index cards. With a pen or pencil pointed straight down, trace the outline of your foot on the paper. Recognizing and Using 1:12 or One Inch to One Foot Scale, How to Make a Wire-Wrapped Stone Pendant Necklace, Simple Crochet Fingerless Gloves Free Pattern, How to Bend Sheet Acrylic or Plexiglass With Simple Tools, How to Make a Macrame Hanging Plant Holder, Knitting Guidelines for Standard Bed and Blanket Sizes, How to Make Magic 8 Half Square Triangle Units, Beginner's Guide to an Easy Crochet Baby Hat, How to Make Easy Half Square Triangle Units for Quilts. The nearest line on the blade to the end of the object is the final measurement. Cased tape measures are the most familiar type, and the type we tested at our lab. Because teachers waste so much of their valuable planning time searching for instructional materials, weve done the legwork and gathered some of our favorite resources and worksheets for teaching students to read a tape measure. Recoil, or retraction of the blade, was the next test. A Measure Tape is a tool used for dimension measurement. We tested both the 16-foot and 25-foot models, and found them somewhat bulky, but still easy to hold for users with average-to-large hands. The longest mark labeled with large numbers (usually black) marks inches. First, let's focus on the numbers. This feature lets you perform inside and outside measurement. You could also buy a double one where metric and imperial unitsare embedded together in the tape. The first is to pay for lessons individually. WebOur powerful set of tools help you measure anything; from simple lengths & heights to areas or even create full floor plans. To measure from point A to point B, put the end of the tape measure on point A. Our testers then evaluated every tape measure for standout, which is the distance the unsupported, extended blade of the tool can remain rigid before bending towards the floor. While other shoe brands may use similar size scales, its best to check out a shoe brands size charts before purchasing a new pair of shoes from them, as each brands exact approach to size and fit may vary. Price at time of publish: $22 for 16-foot; $28 for 25-foot, Dimensions: Not specified | Blade Width: 1-1/4-inch | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Autolock: No | Magnetic Hook: No. Slowly allow the blade to return to the housing. 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. Fold a 3-by-5-inch index card into even thirds along the long axis, and you have an accurate inch-long measure. Scientists in NISTs tape calibration laboratory can measure a meter (3.28 feet) with a standard uncertainty of plus or minus 350 nanometers (billionths of a meter). To use a tape measure, pull the tang out from the housing and hook it on the edge of the object to be measured. Find the closest whole inch to point B, then use the shorter indicator lines to see which fraction of an inch it is. For conversions in other markets, check out the Nike size charts below. For accuracy, take your measurements at least twice. Children tend to have less consistent gait patterns than adults. The metal tip of a cased tape measure is called the hook or the tang. Calibrating or Verifying Metal or Steel Tape Measures About this item . if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'fullyinstrumented_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fullyinstrumented_com-banner-1-0');Simply, put them in such a way where the nail acts as a latch. Some tape measures even design shredded pattern at the bottom of it. Learn. This accurate, sturdy tape measure is easy to hold and use. Additional reporting was done by Nadia Hassani, a master gardener with over 20 years of gardening experience. Tape Measures On the tape measure, the inch mark is indicated by largest number in bold and black and by the longest line, the half-inch mark by the second longest line and the fraction , the quarter-inch mark by the third longest line and the fraction , and so on. How to Read a Tape Measure - The Home Depot A good example is the builders How do you know if youre wearing the wrong shoe size? Other than 25 feet, the most common sizes are 12, 16, 30, and 35 feet. Price at time of publish: $15 for 16-foot; $18 for 25-foot, Dimensions: 3.5 x 1.875 inches | Blade Width: 1 inch | Weight: 1 pound | Autolock: Yes | Magnetic Hook: No. Body Measurements To read a tape measure, you first need to know what each of those black lines stand for. The tape measure has a sliding lock to hold the blade extended when in use, and we found it very easy to slide with just one thumb. The markings are located at 19.2-inch intervals. The clearly marked fractions make this tape measure easier to read than most other choices. Our tester did find it a bit tricky to hook the tape measure onto his belt, however. As mentioned earlier, its not necessarily finding worksheets that is the problem; the internet is filled with worksheets and lesson plans. The MathBlaster website has a large collection of PDF math games and worksheets. We think you are in {country}. Social media and advertising cookies of third parties are used to offer you social media functionalities and personalized ads. For perspective, a human hair is anywhere from approximately 17,000 to 180,000 nanometers in diameter (0.017 to 0.18 mm). How to Tape and Finish Butt Joints, A Complete Guide to Drywall Finishing Levels. This is not an accident or a poorly made tape measure, this is to make the tape measure more accurate. Things that you need to consider are the hook and the tape. Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. For example, if 15 was the nearest cm, and there were 5 mm left over, your measurement would be 15.5 cm or 15 cm + 5 mm. Not only can the physical phone itself serve as a unit of measure if you look up its dimension, but you may also find it offers apps that provide an actual ruler scale that lets you measure small items laid on the face of the phone. You may prefer extra roominess or tightness in your footwear, depending on how you like the shoe to feel. Insert a nail or screw in the middle of the material to be measured, then hook the tang to the head. The sizes below are the sizes of the real items: In 1:12 scale, for example, a six-foot (72-inch) door would be 6 inches tall (15 cm). Each smaller marking is an increasingly smaller fraction of an inch. If theres not enough room, the shoe is likely too small. 9 Best Worksheets to Help Learn to Read a Tape Measure, resources and worksheets for teaching students, What to look for in Tape Measure Worksheets, Paid Versus Non-Paid Sources for a Reading a Tape Measure Worksheet, Offer students the chance to interact with the material in a variety of ways to suit various learning styles and levels, Integrates other subjects into course material (where appropriate), Are age-appropriate and provide clear directions, Match specific learning objectives, standards, and the needs of your particular student population (for examples, foreign language worksheets for ELA learners). The easiest tape measure to read has standard scales on both sides of the tape, with no metric marks. A good example is the builders perennial favorite, the Stanley PowerLock. The 25-foot version is the most versatile and easier to read than smaller tapes. But metric scales can be helpful for detailed work, with no fractions to deal with. How To Accurately Measure Your Height To measure, lift your arms and wrap the tape under your armpits straight across both nipples. Wider, and you may find the tape measure too bulky or difficult to retract. smaller marking is an increasingly smaller fraction of an inch. It is intentionally left slightly loose on the end of the tape by the manufacturer so that you can get an exact measurement whether you are measuring from the inside or outside of an edge. Don't underestimate the tape measure as a tool.Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/saiFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/techinsiderTWITTER: https://twitter.com/techinsiderINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/tech_insider/ A rounded design wont snag or wear on your clothing. On this page, we are going to discuss how to use the hook and read the tape. (Related: The Best Nike Shoes for Back to School). Lesley Shepherd is a miniature artisan who shares her knowledge about miniatures. Tape Measure De-selecting these cookies may result in seeing advertising that is not as relevant to you or you not being able to link effectively with Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks and/or not allowing you to share content on social media. Secure the tape in place with the metal hook to prevent it from moving and pull as much of the tape out of the case as needed. What does the diamond on a measuring tape mean? In the US, the standard tape measure will measure in Imperial unitsthats feet and incheswhile the rest of the world uses metric tape measures to measure in meters and centimeters. Once you have noted it, unhook the tang, holding the blade with your hand so that its recoil wont cause injury, then press the lock to release the blade. Conclusion FAQs Why does the tip of my tape measure move? The removable magnetic tip makes it easier to measure metallic objects. The ideal companion for anyone who needs to measure things. This is best done in pairs so get someone to help you out holding the other end and make sure the person reading the measurement knows that the person pulling the tape is burning an inch. Some footwear styles are offered in unisex sizing, however, so be sure to double check the product details before purchasing a new pair. For Tape Measure When you measure the inside of a surface, let the hook shift back so there is no gap in your measurement. Typically yellow and sometimes white, this is the metal tape with graduation marks that measure feet, inches, and fractions of an inch. How to Measure Update your location? Most tape measures will have a belt hook on one side of the body or case that allows you to affix your tape measure to your toolbelt or waistband for easy access. Measure Tape Measurements run horizontally on one side of blade, vertically on the other. Thesmall gap at the hook can be used to hook the tape onto a nail or screw which is very helpful to let you work alone, create a circle, and measure vertically. Whats more, this seemingly one-note tool can actually be used for tasks besides simply measuring the length between point A and point B. We tested both the 16-foot and 25-foot models and found them both very accurate in terms of measurements. This type of tape measure is a must-have in your toolkit and is useful for most measuring tasks around the home.

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