And both sides of the blades have the full range of measurements, so it's easy to use the tape measure even over your head or in tight or awkward spots. The testers extended the tape measure blade to various lengths and then used the manual lock (or autolock on those tape measures with this feature) to hold the blade in place. Although a bit on the large side, we found that both the 16-foot and 25-foot models were easy to hold and felt comfortable in our hands. This iconic 25-foot tape measure is in the tool boxes of many professionals, but it's especially ideal for DIYers and others who want a tape measure for use around their homes. For simplicity, you can round answers to show only one or two decimal places. 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. 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 4.7 out of 5 stars (638) $5.99 $ 5. 41mm can also be referred to as 4.1cm (0.041m) but the majority of trades in the UK do tend to quote measurements in milimetres. A steel clip is the most durable. 1 foot = 12 inches. Sewing tape measures are flexible tapes that dont have a case. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Additional reporting was done by Nadia Hassani, a master gardener with over 20 years of gardening experience. As for the blade width, around 1 inch is best. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Some pocket tape measures feature a case with a known length (e.g. In other words, two inches add up to 1 inch. Picture 1 of 4. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you get a decimal in your answer, you can take the decimal part and multiply it by 12 to convert the decimal back into inches. The magnetic tip can be removed if desired, though; this is a useful feature not found on many tape measures. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. All customers get FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon, Industrial Adhesives, Sealants & Lubricants. Markings on a Measuring Tape. Half Inches. The mark directly in the middle of the inch denotes a measurment of 1/2" whilst the markings either side of it represent measurements of 1/4" and 3/4" respectively. How to Read the Lines on a Tape Measure. The 100-foot length is usually made of cloth and is useful for survey and determining property boundaries. Unlike most other options, this one has a fractional scalethat means it actually has the fractions printed right onto the nylon bladeso you can see clearly indicated 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2-inch numerals, plus small lines to indicate 1/16ths of an inch. Picture 1 of 1. If there are 7 unnumbered lines, the inches are broken down into eighths (). Our top-scoring tape measure in our tests is the Irwin Strait-Line. You can gauge the size of objects, automatically detect the dimensions of rectangular objects, and save a photo of the measurement. Next, they tested the accuracy of the tape measures by using them to measure several different lengths on known-accurate gauge blocks and steel rules. 95. If the measurement is incorrect - specify your screen size in inches manually. If plastic, it should be heavy enough to withstand regular use and occasional drops. Remember that the numbered values on your measuring tool correspond to whole inches. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 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. The numbers are large enough for easy reading, but the 1-1/4-inch-wide blade only has measurements marked on one side of the tape. When you measure the outside of a surface, let the hook shift out so you dont count it in your measurement. Each tape measure was extended to its full length while the tester held it at various angles and noted the point at which the tape measure could no longer remain straight. The one downside we found was the standout of this tape measurethat's the distance the blade of a tape measure can stand out straight without support before bending towards the groundwasn't quite as good as some others in our tests. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The recoil when releasing the blade can be quite strong; our tester commented that it might actually knock the tape measure right out of your hands if your grip isn't secure. Then read on Got a tip to share? To measure from point A to point B, put the end of the tape measure on point A. The shorter, unnumbered lines in between the numbered values are fractions of an inch. 2. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Small Business. Then, look for the last full inch before the opposite end of the object or distance you're measuring. You can buy them in lengths of 10 feet, 16 feet, 25 feet, 30 feet, 33 feet, 35 feet, 40 feet and so on. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The DEWALT Tough Series has a removable magnetic tip, so you can take it off when not needed. Get it as soon as Friday, Apr 21. The metal tip of a cased tape measure is called the hook or the tang. Compact Tape Measure with Engineer Scale delivers up to 12 ft. of reach. Last Updated: March 20, 2023 There are 10mm in each centimetre (shown by the ten spaces between each cm) and 100cm in each metre. Milwaukee 25 ft. 1 foot = 12 inches; 1 meter = 100 centimeters; 1 centimeter = 10 millimeters; 2/16 = 1/8 inch; 4/16 = 1/4 inch; 8/16 = 1/2 inch; 10/16 = 5/8 inch; Measuring objects in inches might seem straightforward. The case might be plastic or metal. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. When taking internal measurements (i.e. A full inch will be marked by a long line with a number at the end. $19.95 $ 19. Open the app and measure height with the camera on the go. 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 hook lets you catch the end of the tape measure in place to keep it steady while you extend it. If your original measurement ended exactly on a numbered line, you can skip this step since there is no extra fraction to add. This is written as 3/16. The longest mark labeled with large numbers (usually black) marks inches. The tape measure was then checked for any signs of damage. The measurements are black against a yellow tape for improved readability, and the marks are down to 1/16th of an inch the entire length of the blade. The first inch on a tape measure is actually short by 1/16 of an inch, because the metal on the tang is exactly 1/16 of an inch. Each of these increments is designated with lines that are progressively shorter as the unit of measurement gets smaller . The tape measure has a sliding lock to hold the blade extended when in use, and we found it very easy to slide with just one thumb. A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible ruler used to measure length or distance . Johnathan Fuentes is a writer based in the New York City region. Our tester did note that the recoil was a bit slow but reliable. All manufacturers recommend that users make use of safety glasses/goggles when doing any work that requires a tape measure for exactly this reason. While most DIYers dont need this type of tape measure, its useful if you need to measure a large flat space, such as a deck or long fence. When taking an internal measurement, therefore, it is important to bend the blade at the point at which it touches the object you're measuring to. Have one to sell? While doing so, the testers evaluated the tape measures for readability, noting how difficult or easy it was to precisely read the measurement markings. Finish by adding the fractions you counted to the whole number from the last full inch. FREE delivery Wed, Jan 18 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. Our tester noted that the belt clip was somewhat stiff, but the tool still clipped in place fairly easily. A 12-foot tape measure is handiest for consumers. , 25 Ft Decimal Retractable Dual Side Ruler with Metric and Inches, Easy to Read, for Surveyors, Engineers and Electricians, with Magnetic Tip and Rubber Protective Casing, Set for Sewing Tailor Craft Cloth Fabric, 150, 60in with Clip-n-Lock & Eject (Pop Up Release) Button & Rebound Buckle, Ergonomic and Portable Design, 60inch/150cm, Upgraded Version, REIDEA M2, Black, Metric Scale with Both-Side Metal Blade,Magnetic Tip Hook and Shock Absorbent Case-for Construction,Contractor,Carpenter,Architect,Woodworking. If you're going to be working on larger jobs like renovating a kitchen or laying new floors, go with a 25-foot tape measure or 30-foot tape measure. Free shipping. 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. The standout of the 16-foot version was around 12 feet and the 25-foot model was only slightly longer at around 13 feet in our tests. Whatever you do, never allow the blade and hook to return uncontrolled at full speed when rewinding. Whenever possible, we included both the 16-foot and 25-foot models of the same tape measure and tested them together at our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa. 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. Most manufacturers have, therefore, opted to produce UK-spec tape measures with both metric and imperial graduations. Price at time of publish: $24 for 16-foot; $31 for 25-foot, Dimensions: 3 x 2.9 inches | Blade Width: 1-1/4 inch | Weight: 1 pound | Autolock: No | Magnetic Hook: Yes. For example, if the very last line of your measurement is the 8 line, then your measurement is exactly 8 inches. But if your space is small, a 16-foot tape measure is sufficient for most projects youd need it for.. FREE delivery Apr 13 - 17 . For imperial units, use the longest marks to measure inches. To convert feet to inches, multiply the number of feet by 12. Then get in touch! Use a ruler, yardstick, measuring tape, or some other tool that displays inches to measure objects. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Reel tape measures are most often used by surveyors and others needing to measure large stretches of open space. There's a slide lock for keeping the blade extended at your desired measurement, and we found it easy to lock and unlock the blade with just one hand. These numbers sit next to long vertical marks which represent whole inches. If there are 15 unnumbered lines, the inches are broken down into sixteenths (1/16). Prior to joining wikiHow, he worked in academic publishing and was a freelance writer for science websites. This means that four inches add up to 1 inch. Note: Nike shoe sizes are based on foot length. The Stanley FatMax is especially durable and constructed to stand up to rigorous use on jobsites. In response to our customers, therefore, weve put together this simple guide that explains just that! Product Description. Use the top of your thumb or an object of similar length to approximate measurements in inches, if you dont have a measuring tool handy. It also has standard measurements for studs and joists. $999 ($2.50/Ounce) Save 5% on 4 select item (s) FREE delivery Fri, Feb 10 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. For example, use a measuring stick if youre trying to measure the length of something with a rigid straight edge. Compare. Model # L4830HV. With incredible quality, features and accuracy, what are you waiting for? Find Tape Measures; Length Ft.: 35.000; Graduation (Inch): 1/16; Blade Material: Steel; Standout Length (Feet): 35.00 at MSC Industrial Supply, serving the metalworking, safety, and MRO industries for over 75 years For example, if an object measures 10 inches, its length is roughly 25.4 centimeters, since 10/0.3937 = 25.4. To learn how to estimate inches using your thumb, scroll down! Learn trade secrets, how to take awkward or difficult measurements, care for your tools and more! for pricing and availability. 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 measure in inches, start by lining up a ruler, yardstick, or tape measure with the object or distance you're trying to measure so the "0" is at one of the ends. It has excellent standout, with the 16-foot model testing at around 11 feet and the 25-foot model testing at around 13 feet. . In our tests, the standout of both the 16-foot and 25-foot tape measures was around 9 feet, which is shorter than most others we evaluated. 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. While this heavy-duty tape measure is probably more than you need for typical use around the house, we highly recommend it for people who need a tape measure that can survive the rigors of a jobsite. 19. This is a very sturdy tape measure with a 1-3/16-inch matte nylon-coated blade that reduces glare. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Company No: 7593069, The Tape Store - The UK's Measurement Specialist, Protimeter Psyclone Thermo Hygrometer BLD7800, Protimeter Hygromaster 2 Thermo Hygrometer with Hygrostick BLD7750, Trumeter 5505E Measuremeter (Metric/Imperial), Rotosure RCP Classique Professional (Metric), compensating for the case length on the blade. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 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. The inch marks have numbers next to them and a line that extends across the entire vertical width of the measuring tape. SumVibe Soft Tape Measure 120 Inches/300cm, Pocket Measuring Tape for Sewing Tailor Cloth Body Measurement, Yellow 3-Pack. This type of tape measure is a must-have in your toolkit and is useful for most measuring tasks around the home. What does the diamond on a measuring tape mean? They then used the belt clip to attach the tape measure to their belts, noting the ease of doing so. Above you'll see a picture of a metric/imperial pocket tape measure. Click to enlarge. 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. 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. Eight inches add up to 1 inch. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Most cased tape measures have some sort of clip so you can easily carry the tool on your belt or toolbag. % of people told us that this article helped them. A well-placed top button gently releases the blade when you're readya feature that comes in very handy when you are measuring a long distance without an assistant. To convert inches to millimeters, divide the number of inches by 0.03937. The metal hook at the end of a tape measure is intentionally not fixed, it wiggles to make up for the hooks thickness (usually 1/16 inch) to obtain the accurate measurement or true zero. Built to take a beating and keep on working, this professional-quality tape measure has a very sturdy housing that resists damage even if dropped from way up high. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. 6. The blade itself is white on one side and yellow on the other, which gives you options when using the tape measure in a spot with dim light that makes it a little harder to read the measurements. Tape width slightly on the thin side at -inch wide; Get the DeWalt 100 ft. tape measure on Amazon or at Tractor Supply Co. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. For example, say you counted 3 unnumbered lines and your measuring tool has a total of 15 unnumbered lines between each inch. Youll usually get decimal answers when converting metric units to inches, or inches to metric units. Most rulers are not calibrated in hundredths of an inch. Shockforce Nite Eye G2 25-ft Tape Measure. Decimal Inch Tape Measure, 25 Foot, Black Marks Even hundredths of an inch, Black Numbers for Tenths of an inch and inches, red for feet and inches, Magnetic Three Rivet Hook, Tape Lock, Belt Clip. The SINGER 60-inch tape measure is made of durable, yet flexible vinyl, making it perfect for a seamstress or tailor. Price at time of publish: $26 for 16-foot; $38 for 25-foot, Dimensions: 3 x 3.1 inches | Blade Width: 1-1/4 inch | Weight: 2.1 pounds | Autolock: No | Magnetic Hook: No. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally, we get samples provided to us directly by companies. Remember that the unnumbered lines represent fractions. 12 Foot Measuring Tape Measure by Kutir - Easy to Read Both Side Dual Ruler, Retractable, Heavy Duty, Magnetic Hook, Metric, Inches and Imperial Measurement, Shock Absorbent Rubber Case 4.6 out of 5 stars 4,159 The 25-foot model tested at around 13 feet, not the 17 feet claimed by the manufacturer. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Perfect Scale, for Body Weight Loss Medical Measurement Home Art Craft Measurements, 16ft/5M Retractable - Clear, Easy to Read Measuring, for Adults & Kids - Cinta Metrica Profesional Measurement, 16ft/5m with LCD Writing Tablet 2 in 1 Retractable Measuring, for Construction Carpenter DIY, Units inches &, Fraction and 1mm Scale, Crystal Case E6TP, Retractable with Pause Buttons - Easy Read, for Body Fabric Sewing Tailor Cloth Knitting Home Craft Measurements,60-, Metric Inches and Sturdy Retractable Professional Measurement with Magnetic Hook,fast read, Heavy Duty Front side Ruler Durable for Intensive Use Extra Long, , Portable, Retractable Soft Ruler Tool for Measurements Body Fat, Fitness Sewing Tailor Fabric and Accurate Body Fat Calculator, for Sewing Tailor Fabric Measurements Double Scale Soft Pink & White, Komelon SM5425 Speed Mark Gripper Acrylic Coated Steel Blade Measuring. Most commonly, tape measures have numerals for inches and feet, and small lines to indicate fractions of inches. Add the cm and mm to get the total measurement. Each inch will then have eight 1/8th of an inch and sixteen 1/16th of an inch marks. If there is an extra fraction of an inch at the end of your measurement, dont forget to include it. As a general rule, a tape measures standout should be at least 7 or 8 feet, although many go further. When you are done, let the blade retract back into the case, which depending on the model happens automatically or you need to push a button. It's very reasonably priced, as well. 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. 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. Also, this app is a free measurement tool that measures any length or height using digital ruler centimeters, inches, and feets. The numbers for inches will often be the largest on the tape measure and easy to spot from afar. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Finally, every tape measure was dropped from a height of 12 to 15 feet to the floor. Make sure the tape measure is evenly aligned for an exact measurement. That's especially useful when measuring over your head or in tight spots or places that aren't easy to access. And Michael DiMartino, Senior Vice President of Installations at Power Home Remodeling offered further advice. The humble tape measure is the worlds most commonly used measuring tool, accompanying millions of tradesmen and contractors to work every single day. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You dont need to convert the decimal part back to inches since most people are used to seeing mile measurements with decimals in them. But you cant determine that as easily online. 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. 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. Despite this almost all 21st Century technical, engineering or construction measurements are quoted in millimetres. Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. Also, whilst a few tapes show '1m' to display the 1 metre mark, the majority will show '100cm'. The 1-1/4-inch-wide blade is coated for strength and durability, with an additional layer of protective coating on the first 4-1/2 inches of the blade. If you get a decimal in your answer, you can take the decimal part and multiply it by 36 to convert the decimal back into inches. As an example, the image below shows a length that goes from the inch mark to an unlabeled marking. Some people mistakenly think of this as a manufacturing defect but this is not the case. Even smaller marks then denote 1/8ths and 1/16ths (marked in red) of an inch. And of course, there are also much longer tape measures that come in handy when measuring floors or walls in large rooms or outdoor areas. Measuring tape - AR Measure app is a camera ruler & measurement app to measure the distance between two points. Reading a tape measure is a matter of interpreting the lengths of the perpendicular marks on the blade and determining if your measurement is aligning with a 1-inch, a 1/2-inch, a 1/4-inch, a 1/16-inch, or 1/32-inch markings.