Step 3 Convert your inches to tenths, keeping in mind that a tenth is one tenth of a foot, which is 12 inches … Most standard tape measures in the U.S. have markings that measure down to 1/16 of an inch. The smallest marks on the tape measure indicate up to 1/32 of an inch. In today's post, I'm going to reveal the easiest and quickest method. In other words, the half-inch mark between inches 13 and 14 is read as 13 ½ inches, and sits exactly midway between the markings for those numbers. … The standard tape measure displays inches and fractional inches. The good news is that it’s very easy, and can be picked up with a little practice in no time. Meter or 1m: The one-meter marking is located at the one 100th centimeter marking or 10th decimeter marking. Over the years it was refined, but it … These are smaller, sometimes … Not only does the line extend all the way across the tape, but there’s also a big bold number announcing each inch, so it’s simple to count and keep track as you measure. 1″: Inches are the easiest measurement to read on a tape measure. The distance between them is equal to 1 centimeter. Tape measures are commonly used in construction, architecture, building, home projects, crafts, and woodworking. A tape measure is a roll of metal tape with evenly graduated markings used for measuring. There are smaller lines between the larger centimeter lines, which represent millimeters. 7 years ago. Use the above tips as guidelines on how to read a tape measure in inches. To determine the length or distance from the tape measure markings, add the lengths between the marks together (i.e. These indicate whole inches… Every 12 inches equals 1 foot and the tape will tell you that 24 inches is 2 feet, 36 inches is 3 feet, etc. i have a 36 inches tape how would I read the head circumference.com. First off, the tape measure is a versatile device. These measuring tapes are often referred to as “quick read” or “speed mark” tape measures and include labels for many of the smaller (1/8″, 1/4″, 1/2″) … Odd Width Marking. Learning how to read a tape measure is an important skill for anyone to know, especially if you’re thinking of entering in to construction or the skilled trades. Learn how to read a tape measure fast, and easily in 4 steps. Even if you are not a DIY person, it’s a good idea to learn how to read a tape measure. We have to thank William Bangs of Connecticut for this handy device, as he was the man who patented the first tape measure in 1864. So you want to learn how to read a tape measure. When using a metric tape measure, the measurements appear in centimeters, millimeters and, sometimes, meters. Each centimetre comprised of 10mm is … Case: The square-shaped housing for the tape, usually plastic or metal and around three inches in length. Read a tape measure’s incremental marks for the metric system. This is especially important to know if you’re studying science (recall that science generally uses the metric system — not the imperial system). Try again. 0 0. iris. There are 12 inches in a foot. There is an updated reading a tape measure worksheet that has graphics that look more like a real tape measure. Read the Results. 3. Reading the Half Inch Marks . By the end of this article you should be able to read a tape measure like a pro! In my defense I had never been taught what all the “little lines” meant. Tape … All Categories. You can buy … Menu Close They’re the ones with the large numbers on your strip of tape. Take the tape measure test at the end. Every 12 inches you ascend on an imperial tape measure you will probably see the quantity of feet including the amount of inches that you have measured. Then, look for the last full inch before the opposite end of the object or distance you're measuring. Acclimate yourself to metric measuring tools and read centimetres on a tape measure. How to Read a Tape Measure: Learning how to read a tape measure is an important skill to learn, whether you're doing home projects, teaching your kids or students, or looking to get into the skilled trades in some capacity. We here at Construct-Ed (online learning for construc… Imperial tape measures provide easy-to-read measurements in inches and feet. If it's in inches, there are big marks for inches and smaller marks for parts of an inch. 5 7/8 inches (also acceptable: 5 14/16 inches) How to Read a Ruler in Centimeters. Let’s start from the beginning. Reading the Inches. Image: pixabay.com Source: UGC. A full inch will be marked by a long line with a number … Now that we’ve looked at how to read a ruler in inches, let’s go over how to read a ruler in cm. Even home improvement boss, Bob Vila, agrees that there isn’t one home improvement project that doesn’t require a tape measure. They usually come in lengths … Most tape measures are divided into 16ths of an inch. How to Read a Tape Measure. Measuring tapes come in a variety of sizes and applications, such as the retractable measuring tape used by contractors and the cloth tape measures used by seamstresses. The big numbers in black are inches. Unfortunately, many of us don’t know how to properly read a tape measure, let alone know what all of the tape … The standard tape measure displays inches and fractional inches. If I had to measure something that didn’t fall within one of those marks I would just mark the tape measure with … How To Read a Tape Measure Obviously if you have a fairly standard tape you will have the inch increments all marked and numbered. Most people in the U.S. feel comfortable measuring in inches and feet with a tape measure. The humble tape measure. An easy read tape measure has the most dimension details on the tape, making the reading of your measurement easier to recognize and quite possibly quicker. … READ ALSO: How to yarn over in knitting: a step-by-step guide. What is a tape measure? There is … On the metric system, prominent tape measure markings represent centimeters and have large lines and number labels. I knew the the basics…1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and inches, but the other lines were always a mystery. It's important to know how to read a tape measure. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Tape measures in the U.S. mostly utilize Imperial measurements, which means that you measure in feet, inches and fractions of inches. Because this has been generally regulated but might not be there in all brands. Sometimes the inches … Usually, the tape is yellow and rolled in a plastic case. You can edit your question or post anyway. Step 1 Look for the longest lines on the tape measure, which are usually drawn all or most of the way across the tape measure and have large numbers beside them. The relationship between tenths and inches is a fixed one, so you can mathematically convert the distance in lieu of measuring it. When looking at the face, it will show feet, inches and 1/16th inches. The metric tape measure is a little simpler to read than the imperial, since the metric system is … It can be found in many forms. Instead of using the U.S. units of measurement, metric units can enable you to measure with a standardised system used throughout the world. To measure any length, put the measuring tape at one end of the space or item, and pull it outwards. You have no items in your shopping cart. It’s like a flexible ruler. 1/16th, 3/16, 5/16, 7/16, 9/16, 11/16, 13/16, 15/16th of an inch. From there we break down an inch into fractions of an inch. The tape can be smooth cloth for clothing measurements to a flexible metal sheet for construction. How To Read A Tape Measure in Feet and Inches. Learning how to read a measuring tape in inches and feet is easy when you understand the markings. Standard tape measures and pocket tape measures usually have the following features: Belt clip: The fastener on the side of the case that allows you to hook your tape measure conveniently onto a belt, tool belt or pocket. 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. To read a metric ruler to measure centimeters, look at the long lines on the ruler that are numbered 1-30, which are the centimeter marks. But not all tape measures are alike. … The most basic and utilized tool you should have in your homeowners tool box. How to read a tape measure with metric markings, in millimetres, centimetres and metres. After that, it’s just about halving each incremental unit of measurement: 1/2″: There are 2 half inches … Tape measures come in all different sizes! Measure your length in inches if you can't or don't want to obtain a measuring tape which is also calibrated in tenths. The tape measure may appear to be simple on the surface, but it can cause no end of trouble for some people, not to mention the heartache when a project fails. In between each numbered inch increment there will be a series of small lines and exactly half way between each numbered increment is the longest line and this will be the half inch mark. If a tape measure has 1/32-inch markings, you can read it more precisely. Alternatively, to read an English ruler… At some point in your life, you will probably need to take a measurement and figure out the length of something such as a piece of furniture, drapes or who knows what else. The smaller numbers in red correspond to feet plus inches, so 18 inches (in black) is the same as 1 foot 6 inches, and so on. The smallest marks on the tape measure indicate up to 1/32 … Metallic measuring tape Cloth measuring tape:- These … A tape measure is an essential tool for both dressmakers and woodworkers. When you read a tape measure … How to Read a Tape Measure Determine Your Measuring Surface. And if your measure tape is more precise (rare). Hope that helps. The black numbers are inches and the red numbers are feet. One of the first things you need to learn to be a carpenter or even a do-it-yourselfer is how to read a tape measure. I struggle (or struggled until recently) to read a tape measure. The most obvious marks you’ll find on your measuring tape are the ones for inches. Some will … Quarter inches, eighth inches, and sixteenth inches . A tape measure can be calibrated either in inches, feet and yards or in metric units, or both. As you pull out the measuring tape, you’re going to notice four types of markings. A tape measure is a length of tape (usually a bendable metal) with markings (or ticker marks or lines) on it at certain intervals that you use to measure. It measures in inches and feet and can go from 5 ft up to 40 ft long. The following are what you need to know to read a tape measure. While some only contain Imperial measurements, you can also find some with both measurements combined on one tape … 0 0. the increments). How to read a ruler in metric units. You have sixteenths. Recognize the marks on the top of the tape measure. Completely different to an imperial tape measure, it is arguably easier to read a tape measure in metric than imperial; Each small increment is 1mm and there are 10mm that make up one centimetre. Step 2: Identify the shorter marks Identify the shorter marks between the inch marks, divided into fractions of an inch. Source(s): A carpenter for 4 years. Each distance from one number to the next is exactly one inch. Some tape measures show both metric and inch marks, so look on the side with inches to find thirty-seconds. What is a Tape Measure.