How to Read a Tape Measurement Properly

Reading a tape measurement properly is a simple process, but it's important to get it right the first time to avoid measuring a second time. This simple article will show you how to read a tape measurement and save yourself the trouble of measuring a second time!

Instructions

1. 

   Before you go to read the tape measurement, make sure the tape measure isn't going to go anywhere. The last thing you want is for it to snap closed as you're trying to read it-it's a worthwhile investment of time to make sure it's not going anywhere.

2. Once you have the tape measure secure, you're ready to begin reading the measurement. Make sure the end of the tape measure is equal with whatever it is you're measuring, or your measurement will be off!

3. To read the tape measurement, find the first bold number beyond what is it is that you're measuring. This number should be just a little bit longer than the length of the object you are measuring. Go back one bold number; this one should be a little bit shorter than the object.

4. 

   To make the tape measurement more accurate, count all the tick marks in between bold numbers. You should end up with either 16, or 8 (most likely 16).

5. Finally, count the number of tick marks between the bold number (short estimate) and the length of the object. For example, if you count 7, your final tape measurement would be a "bold number" + 7/16 of an inch. That wasn't too bad, was it?