Meter tape measure reading how to#
Meter tape measure reading download#

Because surveying was usually done in rods, surveyors use long tapes of 33 feet (2 rods), and 66 feet (4 rods). These are cased tape measures with tapes of 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, an even 700 feet in length! It is designed for engineers and builders. Pocket tape measures have a tape 1 to 15 feet (0.30 to 4.57 m) in length and 1⁄ 4 to 3⁄ 4 inch (6.4 to 19.1 mm) across.Ī second tape measure design is what is called the long tape. The tape is returned to the case by a spring mechanism. They are small the case is up to about three inches across.

Spring return pocket tape measures will generally fit in a pocket. There are two basic types of tape measures with cases: spring return pocket tape measures and long tape measures. Surveyors use tape measures in lengths of over 100 m. Today it is ubiquitous, even appearing in miniature form as a keychain fob, or novelty item. Its design allows for a measure of great length to be easily carried in pocket or toolkit and permits one to measure around curves or corners. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fibre glass, or metal strip with linear measurement markings. **This post contains and affiliate link.Diagram showing fractions of an inch on a standard sixteenth measuring tapeĪ tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible ruler used to measure length or distance.

Since we are on the subject, I though you might like to know about this particular QuickDraw Self-Marking Tape Measure! It makes marking off cuts a piece of cake (or so they claim)!!! I ordered one but it’s on back order so as soon as I get it, I’ll share my findings.

Meter tape measure reading download#

(Click on the image to download and print.) Before long, it will come natural but until then you can reference this diagram. I realize this is simple once you break it down, but in order to be able to measure something and spout off the CORRECT measurement without counting the lines every time (maybe it’s just me) I need it to be broken down. Shortest lines are the 16ths, going up in length to 8ths, 4ths, 1/2 and inch. If you look at the picture below you can see how this all makes sense. Makes sense right? And those 8ths can be broken down even more, until you get to 4ths and a 1/2. The 16ths can be reduced into 8ths, like the picture above. This little bit of knowledge is what I was missing. Every single line on the tape measure can be broken down into 16ths. This is what helped me, seeing it broken down…I’m a visual learner. (For all of you mathematically inclined people, please ignore my simplistic break down of an already basic tape! You can just skip ahead to another project! 😉 )

Meter tape measure reading how to#

So, I thought we could do a little: How To Read a Tape Measure 101. My guess is that many of you are in the same boat as me. If I had to measure something that didn’t fall within one of those marks I would just mark the tape measure with a pencil or count the lines…you know it might be 32″ and 3 little lines. I knew the the basics…1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and inches, but the other lines were always a mystery. In my defense I had never been taught what all the “little lines” meant. I have a confession!! I struggle (or struggled until recently) to read a tape measure.