Things You'll Need:
- Ruler Item to Measure
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Step 1
Determine whether the ruler uses the English system or the metric system. If it uses the English system, it will measure in fractions of an inch, inches or feet. If it uses the metric system, it will be in millimeters, centimeters or meters.
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Step 2
Determine the standard unit of measure--the one that is labeled with numbers. On a ruler, these will usually be inches or centimeters, but larger rulers might use meters or feet while smaller rulers might use half inches or millimeters.
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Step 3
To measure the object, find the largest number to the left of the end of the object. For example, if the object ends between the "3" and the "4," use the 3.
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Step 4
Determine the fraction of the unit of measure to be added to the whole number. If it falls between 2 lines, chose the line closest the end of the object.
If it is a metric ruler, add 1/10 for each smaller line the object passes. For example, if the object goes 6 smaller lines past the "3," add 6/10.
On an English ruler, the mark in the middle of the 2 standard measures denotes a 1/2 inch. The next smallest marks are 1/4 inch. The next smallest are 1/8 inch. Whichever mark the object stops at, count the number of lines that size and larger after the standard unit of measure. For example, if the object stops at the 1/4-inch mark past the halfway mark, count that mark, the halfway mark (because it is longer) and the first 1/4-inch mark (because it is the same length) and get 3/4. -
Step 5
Combine the whole number and the fraction to get the total measure. In the metric example, add 3 and 6/10 to get 3 6/10. In the English example, add 3 to the 3/4 to get 3 3/4.
