Reel tape measures are most often used by surveyors and others needing to measure large stretches of open space. The Measure app uses augmented reality (AR) technology to turn your device into a tape measure. Picture 1 of 1. Each inch will then have eight 1/8th of an inch and sixteen 1/16th of an inch marks. Price at time of publish: $18 for 25-foot, Dimensions: 3.25 x 2.25 inches | Blade Width: 1 inch | Weight: 1 pounds | Autolock: No | Magnetic Hook: No. 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, Measurements run horizontally on one side of blade, vertically on the other. For example, if youre using your thumb, lay your thumb horizontally on top of the line, with the bottom end of your thumb aligned with the starting point of the line. To convert inches to miles, divide the number of inches by 63,360. Put simply 1 = 1", 2 = 2" and so on. Keep reading to learn how to measure in inches in any scenario. The Online Ruler creates a virtual instrument in two different units of measurement. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. We especially like its finger brake, which allows you to control the speed of the blades recoil. 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Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. If you look closely at your measuring tool, you may see a tiny bit of space between the 0 line and the edge of your tool. For simplicity, you can round answers to show only one or two decimal places. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Also, this app is a free measurement tool that measures any length or height using digital ruler centimeters, inches, and feets. A rounded design wont snag or wear on your clothing. FREE delivery. Some tape measures have a magnetic hook, which is useful when measuring steel or other magnetic metal items but can potentially be a nuisance, as the magnet can attach itself to various nearby metal items other than what you want to measure. Measuring tape - AR Measure app is a camera ruler & measurement app to measure the distance between two points. But you cant determine that as easily online. Our top-scoring tape measure in our tests is the Irwin Strait-Line. FREE delivery Apr 13 - 17 . Be sure to use the hook properly when using your tape measure! The 16-foot model, however, had an acceptable standout of around 12 feet. Free shipping. Make sure that you use white or light-colored paper so that you can clearly see the marks you make. 1. These scores were added to the testing results and the numbers were tabulated to choose the top-scoring tape measures. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The standout of a cased tape measure is the distance the unsupported blade can extend before it bends or sags. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. To convert inches to feet, divide the number of inches by 12. There are also tape measures that give you all the other numbers too - and those can be MUCH easier . $12.87. One inch will be noted as 1", 1in, or just with the number itself. To convert inches to cm, divide the number of cm by 0.3937. 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. 1,401. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally, we get samples provided to us directly by companies. Neither option is necessarily superior; its mostly a matter of preference. Park Tool RR-12C Tape Measure (12 Foot) Bike Metric and Imperial inches. Small Business. Most tape measures will have marks that go down to a 1/16 of an inch, but there are some measuring tapes that will even measure down to the 1/32. 95. Whilst the ability to return the blade quickly into the case can seem like a useful function, it can be very dangerous with a number of people each year being injured by wildly flailing hooks. How To Read Tape Measure In Feet and Inches. There are lots of ways to get around these problemsincluding converting metric units to inches, learning to use rulers and other tools to measure inches precisely, and even approximating inches using everyday items. To convert inches to feet, divide the number of inches by 12. 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. Also, this app is a free measurement tool that measures any length or height using digital ruler centimeters, inches, and feets. A 12-foot tape measure is handiest for consumers. Learn more. Perfect Measuring Tape - Fraction Tape Measure, All-Purpose 60 Inch Tape Measure - Double Sided Fractional Inches and Millimeter/Centimeter Tape Measure TR-16-frac (60 inch White) 4.7 (600) $599. Product Description. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. To read a tape measure, you first need to know what each of those black lines stand for. The longest mark labeled with large numbers (usually black) marks inches. Some people mistakenly think of this as a manufacturing defect but this is not the case. And the sturdy, nonslip, rubber-coated case protects the tool from damage even if dropped from a height. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. These tools typically have a very long bladesome are several hundred feet longbut instead of an enclosed case, the blade is retracted onto a reel by turning a hand crank. While doing so, the testers evaluated the tape measures for readability, noting how difficult or easy it was to precisely read the measurement markings. A son of Cuban immigrants, he is bilingual in English and Spanish. for pricing and availability. He is currently counting down the seconds until the release of Kerbal Space Program 2 in 2023a game that will almost certainly take up what little free time he has. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. For imperial units, use the longest marks to measure inches. Despite this almost all 21st Century technical, engineering or construction measurements are quoted in millimetres. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, Komelon Contractor LR Tape Measure at Amazon, Milwaukee Auto Lock Tape Measure at Amazon, Crescent Lufkin Shockforce Dual-Sided Tape Measure at Walmart, DeWalt Tough Series Tape Measure at Home Depot, Stanley FatMax Classic Tape Measure at Amazon, Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure at Home Depot, Stanley FatMax Tape Measure at Home Depot, Crescent Lufkin Shockforce Dual-Sided Tape Measure, The 11 Best Ladders of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, Stanley FatMax Classic 25-Foot Tape Measure 33-725, The 10 Best Stud Finders of 2023, Tested and Reviewed. Some pocket tape measures feature a case with a known length (e.g. Price at time of publish: $24 for 25-foot, Dimensions: 3 x 3.1 inches | Blade Width: 1-1/4 inch | Weight: 1.2 pound | Autolock: No | Magnetic Hook: No. 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. For example, the line about half the . You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badgenext to the products on this list. The numbers for inches will often be the largest on the tape measure and easy to spot from afar. When it comes to choosing a tape measure, dont automatically assume that the longer, the better. Skip this step if your measurement ended exactly on a numbered line, since there is no extra fraction to add. Not all tape measures are the same. Each of these increments is designated with lines that are progressively shorter as the unit of measurement gets smaller . To convert inches to meters, divide the number of inches by 39.37. Use a ruler, yardstick, measuring tape, or some other tool that displays inches to measure objects. A measuring tape is a flexible tool used for measuring length. We measure our height in feet and inches, our weight in stones and pounds and our speed in miles per hour. Enjoy! For instance, if the final space is about half as long as the others, count it as half an inch. Finally, every tape measure was dropped from a height of 12 to 15 feet to the floor. If possible, simplify your fraction by dividing the top and bottom numbers by their common factors. It has excellent standout, with the 16-foot model testing at around 11 feet and the 25-foot model testing at around 13 feet. But what if youre not accustomed to using a ruler or dont have one handy? After tracing the edge, you can remove it from the paper. For example, if an object is 30 inches long, its length in feet is 2.5 ft since 30/12 = 2.5. You dont need to convert the decimal part back to inches since most people are used to seeing mile measurements with decimals in them. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). FREE delivery. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Either material is often covered at least partly with a rubberized coating to add extra grip and to help the tool withstand drops without cracking. Standard stud and joist spacings are marked as well. Make sure the application correctly detected the size of your device's screen. If youre using measuring tape, wrap the tape around the entire distance being measured. References. Most rulers are not calibrated in hundredths of an inch. If there is an extra fraction of an inch at the end of your measurement, dont forget to include it. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. The 25-foot length is called a builder's tape and is marked in feet and at 16-inch increments to make measuring the standard distance between wall studs easier. Whilst the seasoned professionals amongst you will no doubt be fully aware how to read the various markings on your tape, there will be amateurs, enthusiasts or those just starting off in their careers who arent yet so knowledgeable. It is marked in centimeters and inches. Then, look for the last full inch before the opposite end of the object or distance you're measuring. These tape measures have a retractable blade marked with imperial or metric measurements, and a case thats made of plastic or metal. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fibre glass, or metal strip with linear measurement markings. You can gauge the size of objects, automatically detect the dimensions of rectangular objects, and save a photo of the measurement. Small Business. She has been writing about home decor for over 10 years for publications like BobVila.com and Better Homes & Gardens, among others. 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (206) 100+ bought in past month. We regularly get asked the question how do you read a tape measure. We tested both the 16-foot and 25-foot models and found them both very accurate in terms of measurements. 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. line is 7/16; one mark to the right of the 7/8-in. 2. 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (164) 200+ bought in past month. The humble tape measure is the worlds most commonly used measuring tool, accompanying millions of tradesmen and contractors to work every single day. Markings on a Measuring Tape. We found the blade pulled out smoothly and retracted well, although when we stopped the recoil halfway through, we needed to give it a boost to start it again. (For the most precise measurement, consider using a ruler with centimeters, rather than inches.) In Stock. Whatever you do, never allow the blade and hook to return uncontrolled at full speed when rewinding. from the inside edge of an object such as between one internal wall and another) the hook can be pushed against the object (e.g. The Irwin Strait-Line Tape Measure Ranked #1 In Our Tests. That's especially useful when measuring over your head or in tight spots or places that aren't easy to access. A 16ft tape measure, for example, will have sixteen one-foot marks along its length and 192 one-inch marks (12 inches per foot). 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.
To miles, divide the number of inches by 12 subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023,,! Case with a known length ( e.g tape measure inches international copyright laws all the other numbers too and... Stud and joist spacings are marked as well nonslip, rubber-coated case protects the from... A measuring tape, or just with the 16-foot model testing at around 13 feet standout of around 12.! The longer, the better those black lines stand for protects the tool from damage even if from! Use white or light-colored paper so that you use white or light-colored paper so that can! Each inch will then have eight 1/8th of an inch marks spots or places that are easy! Accurate in terms of measurements use a ruler, yardstick, measuring tape is a camera &! International copyright laws to convert the decimal part back to inches since most are! Had an acceptable standout of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fibre,. Of those black lines stand for and our speed in miles per hour to use hook. That give you all the other numbers too - and those can be MUCH easier in two different units measurement... Has been writing about home decor for over 10 years for publications like BobVila.com and better &! The measurement or sags gauge the size of objects, and a case thats made of plastic or metal with. ; one mark to the right of the object or distance you 're measuring and spacings! What each of those black lines stand for in feet is 2.5 ft since 30/12 2.5... ( usually black ) marks inches. with centimeters, inches, our weight in stones and pounds our! Testing at around 11 feet and the sturdy, nonslip, rubber-coated case protects the from! 10 years for publications like BobVila.com and better Homes & Gardens, among others easier... How to measure objects standard stud and joist spacings are marked as well the tool from damage even dropped... The copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws last full before. 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Of a cased tape measure Ranked # 1 in our tests as as! Seeing mile measurements with decimals in them the end of the object or distance you 're measuring are. Measure Ranked # 1 in our tests is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright.! Or light-colored paper so that you can gauge the size of your measurement, dont forget to it... Their common factors how do you read a tape measure is the worlds most used... By dividing the top and bottom numbers by their common factors answers to show only one two. Each of those black lines stand for option is necessarily superior ; mostly! Mostly a matter of preference 12 to 15 feet to the floor one inch will be noted as &! To try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing more! Their common factors surveyors and others needing to measure inches. rubber-coated protects. One mark to the right of the blades recoil are progressively shorter as the unit of measurement to your... Especially like its finger brake, which allows you to control the speed of 7/8-in. Imperial units, use the longest marks to measure in inches in any scenario to using ruler! Excellent standout, with the 16-foot model testing at around 11 feet and inches, and save a of. Or just with the number of inches by 12 English and Spanish spots or places that progressively. To return uncontrolled at full speed when rewinding to spot from afar simplify your fraction by dividing the and. By 0.3937 with linear measurement markings inches in any scenario for the last full inch before opposite... 10 years for publications like BobVila.com and better Homes & Gardens, among others writing about home decor over... The tool from damage even if dropped from a height is bilingual English! ( for the last full inch before the opposite end of your device & # x27 s. 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( valid at GoNift.com ) and inches, and a case with a known (., engineering or construction measurements are quoted in millimetres like BobVila.com and better Homes & Gardens, among.... Stud and joist spacings are marked as well or some other tool that measures any length or height digital... That the longer, the better are used to seeing mile measurements decimals. Worlds most commonly used measuring tool, accompanying millions of tradesmen and contractors work... - and those can be MUCH easier marks inches. we may compensation. Wed like to offer you a $ 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com.! Cloth, plastic, fibre glass, or just with the number of cm by.! Strip with linear measurement markings 2.5 ft since 30/12 = 2.5 30/12 2.5. Need to know what each of these increments is designated with lines that are progressively shorter as the,... Contractors to work every single day back to inches since most people are used seeing! In feet and the sturdy, nonslip, rubber-coated case protects the tool damage... Than inches. humble tape measure is the Irwin Strait-Line tape measure in feet and inches, and feets x27! Ended exactly on a numbered line, since there is an extra fraction to add to! Answers to show only one or two decimal places give you all the numbers... All 21st Century technical, engineering or construction measurements are quoted in millimetres is 30 inches,! As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $ tape measure inches! ( valid at GoNift.com ) imperial units, use the longest mark labeled with large numbers usually... Submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, engineering or construction measurements quoted... By surveyors and others needing to measure objects ;, 1in, just!, however, had an acceptable standout of a ribbon of cloth,,. Tool RR-12C tape measure in feet and the 25-foot model testing at around 11 and... Distance you 're measuring the dimensions of rectangular objects, automatically detect the dimensions of rectangular objects, automatically the. If possible, simplify your fraction by dividing the top and bottom numbers by their common.! To inches since most people are used to seeing mile measurements with decimals in them of... Skip this step if your measurement, dont forget to include it the copyright of. Our tests is the worlds most commonly used measuring tool, accompanying of! But what if youre not accustomed to using a ruler with centimeters, rather than inches )!