How to Read Measurements on a Metric Ruler

Metric rulers differ from regular standard rulers in that they utilize metric measurements such as millimeters and centimeters instead of standard units of measurement such as inches. Despite the difference, metric rulers are as easy to use as ordinary rulers.

Things You'll Need

• Metric ruler

Instructions

1. Place the ruler immediately parallel to the object being measured.

2. Calculate the measurement using the smaller lines. The small lines on the metric ruler are millimeters, so if the object is 40 small lines long, that means it has a length of 40 millimeters.

3. Calculate the measurement using the larger lines. The larger lines on the metric ruler usually have numbers directly underneath them and are centimeters. One centimeter equals 10 millimeters. So if the object is five long lines long, that means the object is 5 centimeters or 50 millimeters.

References

• Online Conversion: How do I read a ruler?

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish