How to Read a Metric Ruler

Most people can read a normal ruler because that is the unit system that has been taught in schools in the past. The unit system used was the English measurement system. The development of the metric system was to form a universal measurement system based on units of ten. To read a metric ruler you must understand the basic size of the units shown on the ruler.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Examine the ruler. Note that the markings are in three basic styles. The smallest markings are for millimeters. This is the smallest amount of length that can easily be determined by the eye. There are 10 millimeters to each of the largest marks called centimeters. There are 2.54 centimeters in a standard inch. The mark drawn at the halfway point between each centimeter marking is to make reading simpler. This mark aids reading of millimeters or decimal points when the item measured falls between two centimeter marks.
2. Place the ruler on the object and determine where the end of the object falls. You can count the number of centimeters by directly reading the number by the centimeter mark on the ruler. Then read the number of small marks you cross to reach the end of the object. Each of the small marks is 0.1 centimeters. To read the length you add the whole number of centimeters to the decimal number of centimeters. Therefore, the length would be X.Y centimeters in length. The short hand notation for centimeters is cm.
3. Use a smaller ruler to measure objects less than twelve inches in length. These items you can report in either centimeters or in millimeters. The small markings on the ruler are spaced to be ten millimeters to one centimeter.

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