How to Read a Tape Measure - Wenzhou SiliconSky Ventures Co.,Ltd

Tape measures are one of the most commonly used measuring tools. Everyone from contractors and tailors to tradesman and everyday homeowners use measuring tapes to get exact measurements of every kind.

While it might seem like a simple tool, many tape measure markings are available in both the metric system and imperial measurements, so it's important to know how to read a tape measure to ensure you get a precise reading and accurate measurement. As the old saying goes: "Measure twice, cut once."

Before we explain how to read a tape measure, let's talk about the parts of a tape measure. Though the parts might not look exactly the same on every tape measure, most are pretty basic and fall into these few categories:

Most tape measures you'll see in the United States have the boldest markings in inches and feet. So when looking at the tape starting at the hook, there will be number markings for every inch, as well as number markings for every foot on the top line of the tape.

Once the tape measure goes past 1 foot in length, the inch markings on the top line increase to 13, 14, 15, etc. instead of starting over at 1. Some measuring tapes also have additional smaller numbers that equate with the last foot mark. For example, the tape measure might designate 22 inches equal 1 foot, 10 inches.

Let's look at how to actually read a tape measure in inches:

Keep in mind when you're learning how to read a tape measure in inches, the majority of tapes will divide each inch into 16 sections. That means you can get accurate measurements within 1/16-inch, including a half-inch mark, a quarter-inch mark, an eighth-inch mark and a sixteenth-inch mark.

Reading a tape measure in millimeters is a bit different from reading a tape measure in inches.

Metric tape measures feature 10 marks to every 1 centimeter. The smallest marks on a tape indicate 1 millimeter or 1/10th of a centimeter. The bold markings on a metric tape measure indicate centimeters.

Let's look at how to actually read a tape measure in millimeters:

Using a measuring tape properly is essential to getting an accurate measurement. Here are a few tips on how to make sure you're using your tape measure and reading those special markings correctly.

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