How To Read A Tape Measure In Millimeters

Tape measures are often designed for specific uses or trades. Tapes may have different scales, be made of different materials, and be of different lengths depending on the intended use. Tape measures that were intended for use in tailoring or dressmaking were made from flexible cloth or plastic. These types of tape measures were mainly used for the measuring of the subject's waist line. Today, measuring tapes made for sewing are made of fiberglass, which does not tear or stretch as easily.

This type of tape measure will have a floating tang or hook on the end to aid measuring. A tape measure of 25 or even 100 feet can wind into a relatively small container. The self-marking tape measure allows the user an accurate one hand measure. The Series 100 is our premium professional quality tape.

We took everything we've learned about tape measures and poured it into this one. The Series 100 has a nylon-coated blade for durability with wide-read numbers and easy-read inch fractions printed throughout its length. Inches are shown in both consecutive format and as a function of feet.

You'll find 1/32″ graduations for the first foot and 1/16″ for the remainder. Flip the blade over and you'll also find vertically-reading metric graduations, with decimeters marked in red. A dual-hooked magnetic endpiece allows you to use either side of the blade to take measurements.

The strong magnetic endpiece adheres securely to metal surfaces, and even gives inch and metric measurements on its two vertical spires. A frontside lock and an underside pause button give effortless tape control while keeping fingers clear of the tape. A substantial rubber jacket with grip-bumps provides shock absorption and secure ergonomics in the hand. Whether you're a tradesman, hobbyist, or general DIYer, this is the tape you will use for years.

We can print your 1-color logo on this tape in quantites as small as 50. There are several different ways to read a tape measure, but first, you need to find out what kind of tape measure you have. There are standard, or imperial tape measures, and metric tape measures. Imperial tapes feature inches, while metric tapes measure centimeters and millimeters.

Some models have both imperial and metric measurements. Look for a tape measure that best fits your needs and feels comfortable. But, before we get to reading a tape measure you need to know how to use it.

No matter which measurement system your measuring tape follows, the basic anatomy of the tool and how to read it remain the same. The tape is the actual working part of a tape measure -- it's essentially a flexible, coiled-up ruler. On the tape measure, each number corresponds to an inch with each inch subdivided into 1/16 or 1/32 of an inch, depending on the accuracy of the tool. The numbers on a metric tape denote centimeters, and the spaces between the numbers are graduated into millimeters.

The Easiest To Read Digital Tape Measure has an LCD screen that makes it faster and easier than ever to get measurements from the tape. Equipped with a large, easy-to-read 1.75" x .75" digital display screen, you won't have to squint to read tiny lines on the tape. It measures standard or metric, showing feet, inches, centimeters, decimals and fractions. Features 2 memory functions, U.S. and metric units, center line calculation, blade lock and re-zero option.

In some countries such as the UK, tape measures have both Imperial and Metric measurement markings. Until recently in the US, for example, all tape measures were in Imperial units, however the dual standard option is becoming more widely available. Reading a tape measure correctly is a necessary skill when taking on DIY projects. Tape measures are available in both standard or imperial units and in metric units. This guide will show you how to read a tape measure. Plus, you'll learn some tips and tricks for using this tool to get precise measurements.

A tape measure usually has two different measurement systems on it. This is a mix of the inch system and the metric system. Most manufacturers have opted to use both systems, for whatever reason. Even though modern-day measurements are usually taken in inches, some do not, so the calibrations stay.

The top half of a tape measure is usually in inches, broken into eighth and sixteenth of an inch increments. The bottom half of the tape is divided into centimeters and millimeters. The large numbers on the top represent inches, while the little marks between the numbers represent increments of an inch mentioned earlier.

For example, a 16-foot tape measure has 16-1 foot markers across the top and inch marks . You will get two nice tape measures in this package from LEXIVON. The case of the tape measure is made of hard ABS plastic with a rubber boot for protection against impact and firm grip. The tape of this tool is wide, 1 inch, and both metric and imperial units are available with easy-to-read fractional markings. It is coated with nylon for protection against wear and tear.

A tape measure, or measuring tape is a type of hand tool typically used to measure distance or size. It is like a much longer flexible ruler consisting of a case, thumb lock, blade/tape, hook, and sometimes a belt clip. A tape measure will have imperial readings, metric readings or both. They are a common measuring tool used in both professional trades and simply around the home. Most standard tape measures in the U.S. have markings that measure down to 1/16 of an inch.

These are smaller, sometimes thinner markings, evenly spaced between the half-inch and inch marks on a tape measure. On some tapes, quarter inch marks are the same size as eighth-inch marks. Remember that two sixteenths of an inch equals one eighth, two eighths of an inch equals one quarter, and 2 quarters equals one half.

For example, the second eighth-inch marking after the inch marking is a quarter inch. The dual scale measuring tape CMHT37226S from CRAFTSMAN includes both metric and imperial units. The total length of the tape is 26 feet or 8 meters.

The measure tape high contrast markings are easy to read. The end hook is attached to the tape using three rivet joints. Once the tape is extracted from the case for measurement, it will remain locked to that position, thanks to the self locking mechanisms. Just as you would with a retractable tape measure, look for the spot where the end of the object or distance you're measuring lines up with the tape measure. If the tape measure stretches exactly halfway between the 27 and 28 inch markings, this means that your arm is 27.5 inches long. The use of millimeter only tape measures for housing construction is a part of the US metric building code.

Millimeters produce whole numbers, reduce arithmetic errors, thus decreasing wastage due to such errors. You will see a foot designation marked every 12 inches . Building and construction practice calls for all measurements to be made in millimeters . These are the smallest unit on the tape measure scale, and are also marked with the smalles hash mark along the edge. As they are so small, they are generally not individually numbered on tape measures.

Ten millimeters make up a centimeter and these are marked with a number, and a bigger hash mark. Every tenth centimeter is highlighted, so they can be easily picked out. A hundred centimeters make up a meter , which is again clearly marked on a tape measure with a hash mark that will extend across the width.

Reading a metric tape measure is pretty much the same as the method described above, just with fewer steps and not as much calculation involved. You start by identifying the closest numeric mark to the point you're measuring, starting with the largest unit. You then count the number of millimeters from the centimeter marking to the point you're measuring. When reading a tape measure, you start by identifying the largest unit, this would be feet or inches, indicated by a number.

Identify the inch marking closest to the point you're measuring. Finally, you'll count the ¹⁄₈" and ¹⁄₁₆" lines from the last inch, ½", or ¼". Essentially, you're counting markings from the largest unit down to the smallest.

The sale of dual Metric/US Customary scale measuring tapes is slowly becoming common in the United States. For example, in some Walmarts there are Hyper Tough brand tapes available in both US customary units and Metric units. So, the inclusion of a metric scale requires the measuring device either to contain 3 scales of measurement or the elimination of one of the US Customary scales.

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. 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. But if you DO end up needing or using a metric tape measure, know that for every meter, there are 100 cm and for every cm, there are 10 mm. Most metric measuring tapes only mark the cm for readability, so you'll need to count the number of ticks in between to get your exact measurement. Sometimes, there are larger ticks in between each cm to denote 1/2 cm. To read a measuring tape, line the zero mark up at the edge of the item you're measuring, then stretch the tape all the way across the item.

Try to keep the tape straight to ensure an accurate measurement! Then, look at the point where the tape meets the end of the item you're measuring and read the nearest large number. The large numbers are the units you're measuring, like inches or centimeters, and the markings between the large numbers correspond to fractions of that unit.

Understand that a metric tape measures use centimeters instead of inches. Each centimeter is divided into ten sections called millimeters. All you have to do is read the larger lines and then number of millimeters of the last centimeter if the object does not measure an exact number of centimeters. Reading a tape measure is a skill you can easily master. Using this small, sturdy hand tool can improve the accuracy of your project measurements.

Learning how to use a tape measure properly means to always "measure twice, cut once." You can use a standard tape measure or opt for a metric one. The Home Depot delivers online orders when and where you need them. A whole inch is divided into further sixteen small fractions for more accuracy.

So, the smallest measuring unit of common measuring tape with imperial units is 1/16 inch . 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. 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. So, you can keep track of your measurement 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. You might be one of those people who just think the hook at the end of the tape measure is so you can easily roll the end of the reel. Well, it's a much more sophisticated than meets the eye. The hook is called the 'tang', and is attached to the blade of the tape measure using a couple of rivets. However, if you have noticed the tang is not held in a permanent position, and floats at the end with a little give.

This little piece of shaped metal, makes measuring an internal measurement just as easy as taking an external. By pushing the tang up to an internal edge it butts up tight to the end of the tape measure blade to give an accurate reading. Imperial measurement can be a bit tricky, especially or those who have been brought up using Metric measurement. The Imperial measure used extensively in the US, is split to feet, inches and fractions of an inch. The next is the 1/8th of an inch with a slightly longer hash mark.