{"id":2066,"date":"2020-12-31T01:08:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-30T19:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/safety360degree.com\/?p=2066"},"modified":"2024-02-04T10:35:42","modified_gmt":"2024-02-04T04:35:42","slug":"how-to-read-a-tape-measure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/safety360degree.com\/how-to-read-a-tape-measure\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Read a Tape Measure? Guideline With 10 Best Choice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you are familiar with the saying, \u201cCut your coat according to your cloth\u201d then it\u2019s not hard to comprehend the necessity of measurement which is one of the keystones of modern civilization. The idea of taking and keeping measurements predates ancient civilizations like Egyptians and Romans. The first historical record of reading measure tape was by the Romans using marked strips of leather. Taking accurate physical measurements is crucial for any projects like surveying, construction, garments, mechanical projects, etc. The modern measurement system was devised by an English bishop, John Wilkins in 1668, and the spring return pocket tape measure was invented by William H. Bangs in 1864. With the advancement of cutting edge technologies, the measure tape read has already entered into the digital age with digital measure tape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking a measurement using a measuring tape sounds mundane. However, it can be critical if construction or craftsmanship is involved. Besides, this basic skill is essential for general people, too. If you want to buy a boat or ready made swimming pool or things like them, you have to take accurate measurements of your trailer or space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tape measure is quite a simple device but lots of marks and symbols may confuse you. Tape measures are available in both Imperial Units (inches and feet) and metric (centimeters and meters) with unit breakdowns for further accuracy. It doesn\u2019t require great math skills to get accurate measurements by using tape and knowing how to use and read both a retractable measure and a traditional ribbon-style tape measure can be advantageous for a tradesperson as well as general people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read A Tape Measure Worksheet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The tape measure worksheets are a great way to hone your skill of using tape measurement accurately. You will be able to do ample practice on linear tape measurements and learn to take measurements using measuring tape efficiently. A sample of a typical tape measurement worksheet is given below.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"tape<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Understanding Read A Tape Measure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In general, a tape measure or measuring tape refers to a flexible ruler used to measure size or distance. The tape is marked with linear measurement markings at regular intervals. The materials used to make measuring tapes are ribbons of cloth, plastic, fiberglass, or metal strips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tape measures can be classified into two basic categories, spring return pocket tape measures, and long tape measures. Both of these tapes can measure great length but they can be carried in a pocket or toolkit. The flexible nature of the tape allows one to measure around curves or corners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The spring retractable measuring tape is small, the case is up to about three inches across. You have to pull the tape out of the case to take measure and once you release it from your grip, it will be sucked back inside the case automatically by a spring mechanism. The pocket tape measure has a tape 1 to 15 feet (0.30 to 4.57 m) long and 1\u20444 to 3\u20444 inch (6.4 to 19.1 mm) wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the longest tape measure?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The long tape measures have tapes of 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 300, and even 500 feet in length specifically designed keeping in mind the requirements of engineers and surveyors. Traditionally, the surveying unit is a \u201crod\u201d and one rod is equivalent to 33 feet. So, sometimes surveyors use long tape measures of 33 feet (2 rods), 66 feet (4 rods), 49 1\u20442 feet of a 50-foot tape (3 rods), and 99 feet of a 100-foot tape measure (6 rods). Long measuring tape housing has a hand crank to return the tape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For different types of trade, tape measures may differ also in design and construction materials. For tailoring or dressmaking, the tape measures are made of flexible cloth or plastic and are referred to as sewing tape. Modern sewing tapes utilize fiberglass to prevent wear and tear. They don\u2019t stretch easily either. Flexible measuring tapes are essential to take the measure of curved shapes like waste lines or chests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plastic Sewing Tape<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, stiff measurement tapes are desirable for carpentry or construction work. The metallic ribbon of the measuring tape remains stiff when extended and it can be coiled into a small loop for convenient storage. The metal tape is curve shaped, reinforced with copper wires to prevent stretching or twisting of fibers, and usually 20 m and 30 m long. It is one of the most ubiquitous tools that can be found in any toolkit even appearing in a miniature form as novelty items like a keychain fob.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"plastic<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The spring retractable pocket tape measure has a few key parts such as tape, push button stop or thumb lock, hook or tab, belt clip, and of course, the metal housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different parts of a self-return tape measure<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The yellow colored ruler with numerical markings is called tape and the wider the tape, the stronger it is. The wide tape can extend further without buckling. The curve shaped tape can be coiled into a small loop to fit inside the case. The thumb lock is pressed to keep the tape in the desired length. When the lock is released, the tape is retracted back inside the housing.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"different<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The casing of the tape is made of metal or plastic and it stores the tape inside when not in use. The dimension of the casing is imprinted on the body of the casing. The tape is connected to a flat spring which is coiled around a post inside the casing and this spring makes the tape recoil after it\u2019s extended. On the backside of the casing, most measurement tapes have belt clips to hang it on a loop or belt for easy access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the front end of the tape, there is a tab or hook riveted to the tape to hook onto the end of whatever you\u2019re measuring. It also stops the tape to go inside the casing completely while retracting. The tab is loosely riveted to the tape on purpose and it can be moved in or out slightly, 1\u204416\u201d to be exact. It compensates for the thickness of the metal tab when it is hooked behind an object. When taking measurements from inside a box or drawer, for example, this gap disappears and perfect measurement is obtained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a small hole in front of the metal tab to hook the tab onto a nail or screw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nail Notch<\/h4>\n\n\n
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\"nail<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This feature is useful when you are working alone and have no extra pair of hands to hold the tape. You can draw circles when the tab is hooked onto a nail. After hooking it onto the nail, keep the pencil at the length of the desired radius of the circle and swing it around in a circular motion. You can mark a surface if you put pressure on the tab and scratch back and forth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawing a straight line using the tape measurement<\/h4>\n\n\n
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\"drawing<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

It is also possible to draw a straight line by an arrangement shown in the picture above. To do this, hook the tab onto a straight ledge of the surface you want to draw the line and extend the tape. Then lock the tape using a thumb lock and place one hand on the hooked tab. With another hand, hold the casing of the measurement tape and pencil together as shown in the picture. Now, drag the tape, pencil, and tab down the straight ledge together. When 100% accuracy is not needed, you can draw straight lines quite easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Read a Tape Measure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the United States, measuring tapes are marked with US customary units and Metric units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

dual unit measuring tape<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"dual<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Based on the country and different standards of measurements in construction and carpentry, measuring tapes may have additional markings. For example, millimeter only tape measures are used in housing construction and it is a part of the US metric building code. These tapes are usually 5 meters long and have millimeter markings only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Millimeter Only Tape Measure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For imperial or foot-inch units, the tape has a series of large numbers marked 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. with the long vertical marks before them. These marks represent the whole inch. The inch marks are long and easy to read. So, you can keep track of your measurements conveniently. The numbers identifying the inch mark are also bold. Usually, after 12 inches, there will often be a foot marking which is a different color than the other markings.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"measure-tape\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

A whole inch is divided into sixteen small fractions for more accuracy. So, the smallest measuring unit of common measuring tape with imperial units is 1\/16 inch (the red line in the picture below). The next bigger mark denotes 1\/8 inch and there are a total of 18 marks for that. The 1\/4 inch marks are bigger than the 1\/8 inch marks. In the middle point of two inch markings, the 1\/2 inch marking is placed and it is shorter than the inch marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for metric system measurement tapes, the most prominent markings indicate centimeters and there are bold numbers next to each mark. Between two centimeter lines, ten small lines are printed to designate millimeter units. The small lines represent 1 millimeter or 0.1 centimeters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Measurement Tape Markings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have to take a measurement of the exterior of an object or surface of anything, you have to hook the end tab on the edge of that surface and stretch the tape across the object. Now, lock the tape using the thumb lock and check the markings at the end of that object. The nearest number before the end of the object is the number of units (inch or centimeter). The markings between that number and the one above specify fractions of the unit. Adding both of them yields the final measurement.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"measurement<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

For example, think of a tabletop that you want to measure. If the end of the surface meets above 14 inch marking, then it is between 14 and 15 inches wide. The three 1\/16 marks pass 14 inches, then the correct measurement will be 14 and 3\/16 inches. If you are using the metric system, the process is quite similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking an Inside Measurement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you have to measure the length of the interior of a window or box, the accurate measure is obtained by placing the tape inside the object and adding the size of the casing itself with the tape reading. The size of the casing is engraved on the back<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"taking<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Tape Measure Test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To verify your understanding of measurement tape, some sample questions are provided here<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Answer: 1 \u215b”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tape<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Answer: 11\u204416″<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tape<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Answer: 15\u204432″<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tape<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The 10 Best Measuring Tape<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Modern tape measures have lots of functionalities to read. There are lots of designs of tape measures with different price tags. Some of these items are discussed below to provide an insight into these products:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Komelon SL2825 Self Lock 25-Foot Power Tape<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The unique design of the Komelon tape measure series features a self lock mechanism. The tape extends smoothly when pulled and retracted again with the push of a button providing complete control. The tape is nylon coated for more durability. The imperial scale is adopted for this tape measure and stud markings are noted on the tape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The case of the Komelon SL2825 tape measure is colored in a highly visible green color. The rubber coating over the case is easy to grip and it protects the equipment from impact force. The ergonomic design of the case is comfortable, too. It weighs 0.83 pounds.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Komelon<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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\"Amazon-check-price\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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\nPROS<\/strong>\n