How to Use a Measuring Tape

A tape measure is much handier than a ruler. It can be bought in lengths from 6 to 120 feet and some are even electronic.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Measuring Tapes

1. Pull the tape straight out of its case with one hand.

2. Note the markings on the tape. Each mark indicates a 1/16-inch increment. There is usually an arrow indicator at 16-inch increments to show the typical distance between wall studs. The diamonds are for marking joists and studs at points one-fifth of 8 feet.

3. Look at the back of the tape. Some manufacturers include lumber tables or other useful information.

4. Line up the 1-inch mark with one end of the object being measured. Sometimes the metal hook becomes loose and can cause your measurement to be off by up to 1/16 of an inch. Be sure to deduct 1 inch from the measurement.

5. Slide the thumb lock down to hold the tape in place. Not all tapes have this feature and newer ones have an automatic lock with a hold release instead.

Tips & Warnings

• Mark your measurements with a caret rather than a line so the mark is exact and not affected by the width of the line.

• Coat the metal blade with paste wax or spray it with silicone to keep rust at bay and maintain smooth sliding.

• Be careful not to cut yourself when recalling the tape. Its sides are dull but they can still cut.

• Don't pull the tape out past the allowable length or you may not be able to return it to its case.