You may have heard the saying “Measure twice, cut once” in regards to carpentry and may have even adopted it as a motto for your own projects. However, if you are not familiar with how to use a tape measure and accurately interpret its markings, your hard work can end up slightly inaccurate. Any degree of inaccuracy is unacceptable.
In addition, this apparently limited tool has the capability to be used for purposes other than just measuring the distance between point A and point B. Therefore, continue reading to discover the usefulness of this essential tool and understand how to effectively use it in various situations, such as measuring the width inside a bookshelf, quickly locating studs, and drawing precise circles.
Reading a Tape Measure
Even though many DIYers and even some skilled professional carpenters may lack knowledge about the details of a retractable metal tape measure, it is important not to belittle them. Here is a guide describing the various components and units of measurement that are present on a reliable tape measure.
Locate the housing, tang, lock, and blade
- Housing: The plastic or metal housing holds the tape. It can act as a quick measuring tool in itself by using the base of the housing to measure short distances (the length of the housing appears on its base for easy reference).
- Tang: The metal clip at the end of the tape, also known as the clip or hook. When reading the tape measure, the tang indicates zero.
- Lock: The button on the front of the housing locks the tape in place when pressed, preventing the tape from being pulled out further or retracting.
- Blade: The technical term for the tape itself, the blade is used by pulling the tang, stretching the across the distance to be measured, and reading the numbers and symbols on the face of the blade.
- Foot or 1’: The foot measurement shows up on the 12th inch and is written as 1F. This measurement is normally in a black box with a small triangle or arrow pointing to the inch line that it falls on. Example: 1F=1’, 2F=2’, 3F=3’
- Inch or 1”: The inch measurement is the longest vertical line on the imperial half of the blade. This line is indicated by a large number sitting to the left of the line. Example: 1=1”, 2=2”, 3=3”
- Half or ½”: The second longest line is the half inch measurement. Some measuring tapes only show the line as a measurement indicator, while others will show the line and the fractional representation of the measurement. Example: ½=1/2”
- Quarter or ¼”: The mid-size line is the third longest and the third shortest on the typical tape measure. This line measures a quarter inch. It may also be indicated with a fractional representation, similar to the half inch. Example ¼=1/4”, ¾=3/4”
- Eighth or 1/8”: The second shortest line on the imperial measurements is listed as an eighth of an inch. This line may also be indicated by a fractional representation. Example: 1/8=1/8”, 3/8=3/8”, 5/8=5/8”
- Sixteenth or 1/16”: The shortest line on the imperial measurements indicates a 16th of an inch and doesn’t normally have a fractional representation.
Read a tape measure’s incremental marks for the metric system
- Meter or 1m: The one-meter marking is located at the one 100th centimeter marking or 10th decimeter marking. It is indicated by a 1m. On some tape measures, the centimeters will begin at one following the meter marking. Example: 1m=1m
- Decimeter or 1dm: The one-decimeter marking is normally shown at a red numeral of 10. This measurement is located at every 10th centimeter line. Example: 10=1dm, 20=2dm, 30=3dm
- Centimeter or 1cm: This measurement is indicated by the longest line on the metric side of the blade and a large number. This measurement can be found at every 10th millimeter marking. Example: 1=1cm, 2=2cm, 3=3cm
- Millimeter or 1mm: The smallest metric measurement on the blade is the millimeter. It is not indicated by a number or fraction, but simply by the smallest line on the metric side of the blade, with every fifth millimeter line being slightly longer to indicate the halfway point between centimeters.
How to Use a Tape Measure
Once you have acquired the skill of reading a tape measure, using one becomes quite straightforward.
- Catch the hook or press it into one side of the object you’re measuring
- Stretch your tape across your project until you reach your desired length/measurement. Try to keep the tape as straight as possible when doing so
- Lock the tape in place using the thumb lock so it doesn’t retract
- Take your reading and either mark it out or write it down
When measuring, it is possible for the edge of the object to fall between two lines on the blade. In order to prevent cutting too short, it is advisable to always round up to the larger measurement. The lock function on a measuring tape is useful for promptly determining if something will fit through a specific space, or for retaining the recorded measurement when making multiple measurements.
How to Choose a Measuring Tape
With numerous tape measure options in the market today, the question remains- which one should you select? Fundamentally, all tape measures serve the purpose of measuring. The key factor to consider is the specific applications you will utilize it for.
If you need a tape measure for basic home measurements, such as measuring furniture, a tape measure with a plastic case will be suitable. The Irwin 10507788 is our recommended option for measuring tape suitable for household purposes.
The tape is 19mm wide and can achieve a 1.8 meter standout. It includes both metric and imperial readings and is sturdy.
However, the Stanley FMHT0-36326 is a better option for the job site because it has a metal case or a rubberized body to absorb shocks, unlike this one which could crack if dropped from a height, as often happens on site.
This model, which is the most ergonomic and long-lasting FatMax tape measure to date, boasts a substantial 3.35 meter standout. Additionally, it is equipped with a Blade Armor coating that significantly prolongs the blade’s lifespan, surpassing that of a basic Stanley tape measure by up to 10 times.
You can refer to our exclusive Stanley tape measure video to see our top picks, the differences of each and which is best suited to each use.
When choosing a tape measure for professional use, look out for features like a larger standout (the distance a tape can be extended before it bends), protective blade coating and robust housing. A protective coating prolongs the life of your blade during frequent use. Longer tape lengths are needed for larger scale jobs.
Black Diamond
The tape may have black diamonds, which are stud and joist marks. Not all tape measures have these marks, but they are beneficial for the ones that do. The stud marks are placed every 16 inches, while the joist marks are spaced every 19 3/16 inches.
The purpose of the black diamond joist marks is to ensure proper spacing of I-beam timbers.
You may notice a double arrow or a red number marked every 16 inches, assisting you in finding all the studs along the wall after identifying the initial one, without requiring a stud finder.
Did you know that the initial inch on a tape measure falls short by 1/16 of an inch? This is the reason why the end hook is not completely tight, as it quantifies exactly 1/16 of an inch to ensure precise measurements.
