How to Measure the Length of a Ladder

You can reach anywhere with the right ladder.

Ladders allow a worker to reach heights he could not reach otherwise. They come in various lengths and should be a part of any do-it-yourselfer's arsenal. When choosing a ladder, you should consider the type of work you will be doing and how high you need to reach. Choosing a ladder that is too long for a particular job is both inefficient and cumbersome, and choosing a ladder that is too short will preclude you from safely completing the job. Most retailers sort their ladders by length, but measuring one is a simple task.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure

Instructions

1. Lay the ladder on a flat surface.

2. Hook the tape measure to one end of the ladder, and pull the tape along the length of the ladder until you reach the other end.

3. Note the length of tape pulled. This is the length of the ladder. Measure and add both lengths to get the total length of an extension ladder.

4. Eliminate two to three feet of height to find a straight or extension ladder's usable length since rungs are usually one foot apart and using the top three rungs is unsafe.

References

• The Home Depot: Ladders

Resources

• Sizes: Ladders