3.125 On A Tape Measure

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When it comes to construction and craftsmanship, taking accurate measurements tin be the deviation between a neat finished product and a subpar 1. Luckily, with the proper approach, using a tape measure out can exist a quick, easy mode to get you the information you demand virtually your projection. Knowing how to use and read both a retractable measure and a traditional ribbon-way tape measure can be a major asset to anyone working with his or her easily, so learn today and first measuring!

Royal Units

1
Apply the big, numbered markings for inches. On a tape mensurate labeled with imperial units, the most prominent marks are usually the one-inch marks. These are typically marked by long, sparse lines and fairly large numbers.^[1]
- Every 12 inches, there volition often (but non ever) be a foot mark. This is ordinarily in a different color than the other markings — oftentimes red in contrast to the normal blackness markings. Subsequently each foot marking, the numbers next to each inch mark volition either repeat from 1 - xi again or go on counting. This can vary from tape measure to tape measure out.
- Notation that the line next to the number marks each inch, non the number itself.
ii
Utilise the bigger marks between ii inch markings for half-inches. A one-half-inch mark is always centered between any 2 1-inch marks. It almost always has the second-longest marking (afterwards the 1-inch marks). There volition exist one one-half-inch mark betwixt each one-inch marker, merely there are two one-half-inches per inch.^[2]
- Notation that, starting with half-inch marks, not all lines may be labeled with numbers. In this case, you lot need to use the markings on either side to guide y'all. For example, the half-inch mark betwixt inches three and four stands for iii 1/2 inches, fifty-fifty though it'southward not labeled.
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3
Utilise the smaller lines between one-half-inches for quarter-inches. After half-inches come quarter inches. These markings are smaller (and sometimes skinnier) than one-half-inches only usually bigger than the densely-packed marks effectually them. They are evenly spaced between each half-inch mark and 1 inch-marking. In that location are four quarter-inches in one inch.^[three]
- Notation that lines marking a quarter of an inch sometimes aren't any different in size from eighth-inch marks. In this case, keep in mind that ii eighths of an inch brand a quarter. Count to the second 8th-inch marking later the inch marking — this is the quarter-inch (and the line in the same spot on the other side of the half-inch marking is the iii-quarter inch.)
4

Use the minor, regular marks for one-8th-inches. Smaller still than the quarter-inch markings are the one-eighth-inch markings. These markings are centered between the inch marking and the quarter-inch marking, the quarter-inch marking and the half-inch marking, and so on. There are eight one-8th inches per inch.
v
Employ the tiny, densely-packed marks for sixteenths of an inch. The shortest lines of all on most measuring tapes are the sixteenth-inch marks. There are 16 of these tiny marks per inch — four in each quarter-inch.
- Note that some very precise measuring tapes volition mark downward to i-thirty-second of an inch or even ane-60-fourth of an inch! Apply the same blueprint for recognizing these minuscule measurements.
six
Add the inch segments to determine full length. When you are measuring a length, getting an accurate value simply means seeing where the tape lines upwards. Outset, marking the spot where the measuring tape lines upward with the edge of the matter you're measuring. Find the nearest inch earlier this betoken. Then, discover the nearest half-inch before this indicate. Then, the nearest quarter-inch, and so on. Add up your inches and fractions of inches until yous have an accurate measurement. This is a lot easier than it sounds — see below for an example.
- Permit's say that we've measured past the one-inch mark, by one quarter-inch mark, and by i eighth-inch marker. To discover our measurement, we need to add:
  
  i (our inches) + 1/4 (our quarter-inches) + ane/viii (our eighth-inches).
- Since in that location are 2 8th-inches in a quarter-inch, we tin rewrite this every bit:
  
  ane + two/eight + i/8 = 1 3/8 inches.
- Adding fractions similar one/ii, 1/4, 1/eight, and and then on can be tricky. If you need help, encounter our article on how to add fractions with dissimilar denominators.

Metric Units

one
Use the large, numbered markings for centimetres. On most metric measuring tapes, centimetres are the almost prominent markings. Centimetres are usually labeled with large lines and, next to each line, a number. As with inches, the line marks each centimetre, not the number itself.^[4]
- If yous accept a measuring tape longer than ane metre (100 centimetres), ordinarily, the metre(s) volition receive a special marker as well — often in a different color than the residue of the markings. After each metre, the centimetre markings may start over again from zilch or continue counting. This varies from measuring tape to measuring tape.
2
Utilise the smaller markings betwixt centimetres for 0.five centimetres. Some (but non all) metric measuring tapes will have medium-sized marks evenly spaced between each centimetre marker. These mark half-centimetres. These marks are usually not labelled with a number.^[five]
- The metric arrangement is in base ten, which makes it much easier to piece of work with decimals compared to majestic measurements. For this reason, information technology'south usually fine to refer to half-centimetre markings in decimal terms (i.e., i 1/2 centimetres becomes 1.five centimetres.)
three
Employ the small, densely-packed markings for millimetres.The small, tight, narrow lines between centimetre markings represent millimetres (or one-tenth-centimetres). There are ten millimetres in a centimetre (and, thus, 1 thou in a metre.)
- If your measuring tape doesn't accept 0.five centimetre markings, the 5th millimetre after each centimetre marks the 0.five centimetre.
4
Add the centimetre segments to determine the total length. To measure with a metric measuring tape, first find the nearest centimetre earlier the altitude you're measuring, so the nearest millimetre. You can use a 0.5 millimetre marking to assistance guide you if your measuring tape has them. Your measurement (in centimetres) will be a decimal where the tenths place is indicated by the millimetre mark. For example, see below:^[half-dozen]
- Let's say that nosotros measure past the 33 centimetre mark to the sixth millimetre marking. In this case, we tin find our distance in centimetres like this:
  
  33 + 0.half dozen = 33.6 centimetres
- If we wanted our distance in something other than centimetres, however, we would need to shift the decimal place to compensate. For example, let's say that we desire the answer above in metres. In this case, since at that place are 100 centimetres in ane metre, we could use a conversion cistron similar this:
  
  33.six × one metre/100 centimetres = 0.336 metres
- In general, to become from centimetres to metres, shift the decimal two places to the left, and to go from metres to centimetres, shift information technology two places to the right.

This department deals with how to use the two nearly common styles of tape measure.

Retractable Record

1
Catch the hooked end on 1 side of the object you're measuring. If y'all're using a retractable record mensurate (the kind that comes in a pocket-size metal or plastic box that automatically sucks the record back up when you're done with it) note that the finish of the tape volition almost always accept a small metal notch at the cypher mark. This is useful for holding the record in the right identify as y'all measure, and so you may desire to start by catching it on the edge of the object you're measuring.
- On the other hand, if you're measuring something that can't exist latched on to (like, for instance, the distance across a door frame), just press this metal notch into one side of the object.
- On some measuring tapes, the terminate will motion. Pull it out if yous're measuring past pulling the tape out from an edge, and button it in if you're pushing the tape against a surface.^[seven]
2
Stretch the tape beyond your object. With the zero mark in place, pull back on the box to let more record out. You tin can use i hand (or a friend) to agree the end of the tape in place as you pull information technology back. Let tape out until it stretches all the way across the distance you lot're measuring.
- Try to keep the tape straight every bit you do this — if you allow it sag (which is easy to do if you're measuring long distances), the results you get will exist skewed.
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3
Take a reading straight from the tape. At present, look at the point where the record meets the end of the thing y'all're measuring. The nearest number below the end of the tape is your number of units you're measuring and the markings between this number and the ane higher up it stand for to fractions of the unit.
- For case, if yous are measuring across the forepart of your dresser and the edge of the dresser lines upwardly right later on the 24 inch marker, this means that your dresser is between 24 and 25 inches wide. If, for example, it's 3 1/8 inch marks by 24 inches, it is 24 3/viii inches wide.
- Yous can too try putting a kink in the tape, then lining up this kink with the edge of what you're measuring. This is handy in sure situations, similar for example, when you're measuring into a tight corner.
4
Use the lock switch to keep the tape at the same length. Most retractable tape measures will accept a button or sliding switch that, when pressed, keeps the record mensurate from being sucked back in. Some even lock automatically.^[8] You tin use this to easily compare the sizes of different lengths and objects. For instance, the lock feature is useful for:
- Quickly seeing which of two objects is bigger
- Seeing whether something volition fit through a certain infinite
- Keeping the tape bachelor for multiple quick measurements
- Keeping a certain distance "handy" to avoid having to re-measure

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Transmission Tape

1
Agree 1 end of the tape down at the starting time of your distance. A manual tape mensurate (which looks a little like a long, skinny ribbon or a ruler made out of flexible textile) lacks some of the convenient features of a modern retractable tape measure, just with the proper technique, it works just every bit well. To start taking a measurement, grab the "zero" end and line information technology upward with the kickoff of the object or length you lot want to measure out.
- Function of the problem with manual tape measures is that they're about useful for measuring only brusk differences because y'all take to be able to hold the null end in place while you move the other finish into position. Thus, most manual tapes won't be much longer than the human arm span. If you need to measure out beyond your reach, you can endeavor keeping the nix end of your tape measure in identify with a weight or getting a friend to help.
2

Stretch the tape across your distance. Now, take the slack of the object and lay it in a straight line beyond the object or distance you desire to measure. Be sure to continue the tape tight to ensure an accurate measurement, but don't stretch information technology — well-nigh mod measuring tapes are made out of semi-flexible plastic.
3
Take a reading directly from the record. But as you would with a retractable tape measure, look for the spot where the end of the object or distance yous're measuring lines up with the tape measure out. The altitude indicated on the record measure at this point is the distance you've measured.
- For example, let's say you hold one cease of a tape measure in the tips of your fingers and stretch the other stop all the way to the crook of your armpit to determine how long your arm is. If the tape measure stretches exactly halfway between the 27 and 28 inch markings, this means that your arm is 27.5 inches long.
4
If measuring around a round object, compression the tape where it overlaps. I advantage of ribbon-style tape measures over retractable tape measures is that their flexibility allows them to measure around objects. To do this, place the nada stop of the record on the object, wrap the record all the way around it in as directly of line every bit possible, and notation the point where the tape measure out first passes the null marking once again. This point is the altitude around your object.
- For example, if yous want to detect the distance effectually your wrist, place the zero end of the record measure on top of your wrist, wrap the slack around and underneath, and so line it upwards with the zero terminate on top. If it is, for instance, 6 inches at this bespeak, and then your wrist has a circumference of about half-dozen inches.

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What are the black diamonds on a measuring tape?

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With contractor measuring tapes, used for measuring big areas, you often cannot get a measurement using just the tape, every bit the body or case of the measuring record gets in the way. That's why these bodies are carefully designed and marked to a certain width. Look on the case torso for the width indicator. Many are 3". To measure a room from one corner to the other:
- Lay the tape on the floor and hook the end into ane corner of the room.
- Pull out the tape along the floor.
- When yous reach the other corner push the barrel of the tape case into the corner (the butt or back of the case has been flattened for this purpose).
- Have your measurement from the tape and so add together the 3" for the complete width.
 - Example: Measure a space on your wall. Place the front of the tape at the outset bespeak and extend it until subsequently you achieve the finish indicate. Look at the tape and see the last number before the stop point, for case, 17. Later the number 17, count four lines, noticing that you end on the third longest line. That would make the full measured space 17 and 1/4 inches.
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Article Summary X

To read a measuring tape, line the zero mark up at the edge of the item you're measuring, then stretch the record all the style across the particular. Try to keep the record straight to ensure an accurate measurement! Then, look at the betoken where the tape meets the end of the detail you're measuring and read the nearest large number. The large numbers are the units y'all're measuring, like inches or centimeters, and the markings betwixt the big numbers correspond to fractions of that unit. To larn nearly the differences between the imperial organization and the metric organisation, read on!

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