All About Measuring Tape | What Is a Measuring Tape | Markings on a Measuring Tape | How To Read Measure Tape | Parts of a Tape Measure | How to Choose the Right Tape Measure

Q: How to Read Measuring Tape?

When it comes to construction and craftsmanship, taking accurate measurements can be the difference between a great finished product and a subpar one. 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.

What Is a Measuring Tape?

A measuring tape is a loose tool utilized for measuring length. It is fiberglass, cloth, plastic, metal ribbon, or stripe.

So, it is a type of elastic ruler correspondingly apprehended as a tape measurement. It is observed in centimeters and inches.

Markings on a Measuring Tape

The measuring tape demonstrates observing in two distinct units—centimeters and inches.

Division Markings in Centimeters

10 millimeters assemble 1 centimeter, so there are 10 divisions between each cm.

Each small division is equal to 1 mm.

The 1st small mark after the 5 cm marking symbolizes a size of 51 mm, which can guide to 5.1 cm.

Division Markings in Inches

The large numbers, 1, 2, 3…, distinguished next to the elongate markings, exemplify entire inches.

Between these numbers are small companies that exemplify fractions of an inch.

Since 12 inches complete 1 foot, there is a ‘foot’ maintained after every 12 inches.

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How To Read Measure Tape?

The humble tape size is the globe’s most commonly utilized measuring tool, regarding millions of tradesmen and contractors perform every day.

While the seasoned professionals amongst you will be fully aware of how to read the additional markings on your tape, there will be amateurs, specialists, or those just beginning in their professions who aren’t yet acquainted.

We regularly question, “how accomplish you read a tape measurement .”Accordingly, in reaction to our customers, we’ve arranged together this simple principle that clarifies merely that!

How to Read a Measuring Tape in Inches?

While Britain officially manages a metric system of dimensions nowadays, our nation, regardless, detects an interesting mix of metric and imperial measurements utilized daily.

We tally our measurement in feet and inches, our weight in stones and pounds, and our acceleration in miles per hour.

Despite this, all 21st Century technical, engineering or construction evaluation are noted in millimeters.

Consequently, most manufacturers have opted to produce UK-spec tape measurements with metric and imperial graduations.

When conducting the graph overhead, you’ll notice a sequence of large numbers marked 1, 2, 3, and 4.

These numbers pose after symbolic vertical marks, which exemplify entire inches. Position entirely 1 = 1″, 2 = 2″ and so on.

Between those numbers is a succession of shorter approaches characterizing fractions of an inch.

Nowadays, the mark in the middle of the inch symbolizes a measurement of 1/2″ while the markings on either side specify standards of 1/4″ and 3/4″ respectively.

Slight marks then depict 1/8ths and 1/16ths (marked in red) of an inch.

A 16ft tape measure, for sample, will include sixteen one-foot marks along with its measure and 192 one-inch practices (12 inches per foot).

Each inch will retain eight 1/8th of an inch and sixteen 1/16th of inch marks.

1 foot = 12 inches
1 inch = 16 x 1/16th of an inch, 8 x 1/8th of an inch

How to Read a Measuring Tape in Meters?

Meters are parts of the metric system. You don’t select to read the imperial measures, so explore the metric side.

The metric system is usually the base row and will control more little numerals, while the imperial system is usually the top row and includes bigger numerals.

For extra confirmation, you can also approximate for letter labels that express “cm” or “meter”/”m” since those are metric measurements.

Not every measuring tape will possess letter markings, but they may encounter on the far left if it accomplishes.
If you only detect 1 row of markings, attempt converting the tape measurement across. The other side may include more additional measurement markings.
If you can solely notice imperial measurements or “inch” and “feet”/”ft” labels, you would like to get an additional measuring tape.

How to Read a Tape Measure in mm?

Metric Tape Measure features 10 marks to the centimeter.

The slightest marks on a tape demonstrate one millimeter or 1/10th of a centimeter.

he spacious, bold markings on a metric tape measure implementation centimeters. The symbolic mark in the center signifies a half-centimeter.

Find the nearest centimeter to the endpoint to read a metric measuring tape. Examine the remaining indicator lines to notice how multiple millimeters are excess.
Count those to the entire centimeters utilizing a decimal. For instance, represent you calculate 20 whole centimeters, and there are 6-millimeter marks rejected over. Your absolute measurement will be 20.6 centimeters.

How to Read a Tape Measure in Cm?

Centimeters are the next sub-unit guiding up to the meter. They are numerous and numbered markings on the metric row.

You will detect a scarcely more extended line midway between the centimeter makings.

This line symbolizes the half centimeter, which is completed of 5 millimeters.

It is more illustrative than the other millimeter lines but more straightforward than the centimeter lines. It is also not usually tagged.

For illustration, you should notice a slightly longer line between “3” and “4.” This stands for 3 and 5 millimeters, giving you 3.5 centimeters.

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Parts of a Tape Measure

Here, the below of parts of a measuring tape are as follows.

1. Use of the Tape Lock

Practically all tape dimensions contain a lock that will maintain the tape measure from recoiling.

That is reasonable if you require to bring tension off of the tape measure or to set the tape measure down while it is applied.

On this Stanley Fat Max model, the slide lock is the big black button on the top.

Sliding this down will lock the tape unrestricted to manage recoil. As an Amazon Associate, we may receive charges for authorizing investments from Amazon.

2. Use of the Sliding Hook

A signature component of tape importance is the hook on the rear of the tape.

That promotes a double pursuit of retaining the tape from rolling into the case and authorizing hooking onto the end of measured items.

You might notice that the rear hook decreases or locomotes just a while.

That is by procedure to account for the thickness of the hook, which privileges the tape measure to be accurate when hooking onto a thickness and when butting the behind up to a cover.

Be conscious of tape efforts that do not have a sliding hook, as they will not be as authentic.

3. Use of the Framing Stud Hints

Most tape measurements contain red markings at precise intermissions: 16″, 32″, 48″, 64″, and so on.

These numerals are significant because they demonstrate the middle of a stud for 16″ on center scaffolding.

Some tape measures furthermore feature black diamond insignia intermissions that are 19.2″ asunder.

These diamonds also proclaim framing intermissions for a more exhaustive stud or joist spacing.

4. Use of the Nail Grab

The hook on a tape measure continuously has an undersized hole or groove.

That qualifies to hook the hook on a nail or screw, so it doesn’t glide off when assembling long measurements.

That is useful for more elongate measurements, such as measuring across a room or patio length.

The oval cutout is hooked onto a nail or screw on the overhead hook.

5. Use the Sides of the Hook

Some tape measurements, expressly framing tapes, have large hooks that can grip externals on the side of the hook.

Utilizing these can enhance the hook’s gripping capability and enhance the accurateness of measurements since the tape standard will not mandate wrestling to read the markings.

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How to Choose the Right Tape Measure?

Many tape standards are on the market, coordinating to very different objectives.

When selecting the correct one for you, assume what you’ll be utilizing, how long you mandate it, and how much you’d select to disburse.

When preferring a tape measure, assess the following elements to discover the right tape measure for you and your necessities.

Size and alleviation of reading the markings
Imperial or metric markings
Length of the tape
The physical size of the tape
Standout length for measuring longer lengths
Locking features
Durability
Price

Notice our examination of the best tape measures to find which tape measure we encountered to be the best and for examinations on several conducting tape measures.

You can print a tape measure in a fraction to maintain a journey to the store.

FAQ

How to Read a Measuring Tape in Inches?

Put simply 1 = 1″, 2 = 2″ and so on. Between those numbers are a series of shorter marks which represent fractions of an inch. 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.

How to Read Measuring Tape?

The number of lines between inch marks indicate how precise you can get with your tool. To read 1/2-inch measurements, locate the second-longest mark between the longer inch marks. For 1/4-inch marks, look halfway between the 1/2-inch marks. You can read smaller fractions of an inch the same way.

Longest Tape Measure

The longest tape measure in the world was a 600 feet (183 metres) gold-plated tape created by justus roe, an american surveyor and tape-maker, in 1956.

Steel Tape Measure

Steel tape can give you accurate results at any temperature, and it’s designed to withstand more wear and tear than fiberglass tapes. You can find steel measuring tape in many different units of measure — from metric to feet and inches. And some of them are even double-sided.

Measuring Tape

A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible ruler used to measure size or distance. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fibre glass, or metal strip with linear measurement markings. It is a common measuring tool.

Laser Measuring Tape

The laser measure is accurate to within 1/8″ and measures to 50 feet. It makes this measuring tool more accurate, easier and faster than a tape measure.

What Is the Use of Tape Measure?

A tape measure, or measuring tape is a type of hand tool typically used to measure distance or size. It is like a much longer flexible ruler consisting of a case, thumb lock, blade/tape, hook, and sometimes a belt clip. A tape measure will have imperial readings, metric readings or both.

How to Read a Measuring Tape in Meters?

Use this conversion if what you measured is more than 1 centimeter. There are 100 centimeters in 1 meter. Divide the number of centimeters by 100 to find out the number of meters. For example, if you wrote down a measurement of 9.5 centimeters, divide 9.5 / 100 to get 0.095 meters.

How to Read a Tape Measure in Feet and Meters?

How to Read a Tape Measure in mm?

If you have a metric tape measure, the numbers should be read like this:

The large, numbered markings are centimeters.
There is a smaller marking exactly halfway between the centimeters for ease of reading.
The smallest markings are millimeters, or one tenth of a centimeter.

How to Use a Tape Measure?

To use a tape measure, pull the tang out from the housing and hook it on the edge of the object to be measured. Stretch the blade across the object, press the lock, and then observe where the blade meets the end of the object. The nearest line on the blade to the end of the object is the final measurement.

How to Use a Laser Tape Measure?

To use a laser distance measure:

Hold the device firmly against your chosen starting point. This may be a wall, floor or inside of a door frame.
Turn the laser distance measure on and point it where you would like to measure.
Press the measure button.
Keep the laser still until the measurement appears on the screen.

All About Measuring Tape | What Is a Measuring Tape | Markings on a Measuring Tape | How To Read Measure Tape | Parts of a Tape Measure | How to Choose the Right Tape Measure

What Is a Measuring Tape?