Always wanted to know how to take that particularly awkward measurement or how to take care of your tool? Perhaps you're interested in how particular trades use their tools? Then read on... Got a tip to share? Then get in touch!
14th February 2014
The humble tape measure is the world’s most commonly used measuring tool, accompanying millions of tradesmen and contractors to work every single day.
Whilst the seasoned professionals amongst you will no doubt be fully aware how to read the various markings on your tape, there will be amateurs, enthusiasts or those just starting off in their careers who aren’t yet so knowledgeable. We regularly get asked the question “how do you read a tape measure”. In response to our customers, therefore, we’ve put together this simple guide that explains just that!
How to Read a Metric Tape Measure
Above you'll see a picture of a metric/imperial pocket tape measure. The measurements towards the bottom of the image are metric. In other words they're in centimetres and milimetres. There are 10mm in each centimetre (shown by the ten spaces between each cm) and 100cm in each metre. Whilst the centimetres are clearly numbered, to make the blade easier to read the millimetres arenotnumbered. Also, whilst a few tapes show '1m' to display the 1 metre mark, the majority will show '100cm'.
When looking at the image above, the 1st small mark after the 4cm point denotes a measurement of 41mm. The next small mark in line would be 42mm, the next would be 43mm and so on. 41mm can also be referred to as 4.1cm (0.041m) but the majority of trades in the UK do tend to quote measurements in milimetres.
How to Read an Imperial Tape Measure
Whilst Britain now officially operates a metric system of measurement, our nation still sees a curious mix of both metric and imperial measurements being used on a day to day basis. We measure our height in feet and inches, our weight in stones and pounds and our speed in miles per hour. Despite this almost all 21st Century technical, engineering or construction measurements are quoted in millimetres. Most manufacturers have, therefore, opted to produce UK-spec tape measures with both metric and imperial graduations.
When referring to the diagram above you'll see a series of large numbers marked 1, 2, 3, and 4. These numbers sit next to long vertical marks which represent whole inches. Put simply 1 = 1", 2 = 2" and so on. Between those numbers are a series of shorter marks which represent fractions of an inch. The mark directly in the middle of the inch denotes a measurment of 1/2" whilst the markings either side of it represent measurements of 1/4" and 3/4" respectively. Even smaller marks then denote 1/8ths and 1/16ths (marked in red) of an inch.
A 16ft tape measure, for example, will have sixteen one-foot marks along its length and 192 one-inch marks (12 inches per foot). Each inch will then have eight 1/8th of an inch and sixteen 1/16th of an inch marks.
- 1 foot = 12 inches
- 1 inch = 16 x 1/16th of an inch, 8 x 1/8th of an inch, 4 x 1/4 of an inch or 2 x 1/2 of an inch.
General Tips
The hook or 'tang' of the tape measure is the small, usually metallic component at the end of the blade. In pocket tapes (as seen in the image below), this is usually a straight piece of metal attached to the blade by a number of rivets. You will normally find (on any pocket tape of quality) that the hook 'floats'. In other words it moves in and out ever so slightly. Some people mistakenly think of this as a manufacturing defect but this is not the case.
When taking internal measurements (i.e. from the inside edge of an object such as between one internal wall and another) the hook can be pushed against the object (e.g. skirting board) providing an accurate measurement.
When taking external measurements, however, the hook can be placed around/behind the object and pulled gently towards the measurer. Not only does this keep the blade in place whilst measuring, it also guarantees an accurate measurement by compensating for the thickness of the metal hook in the measurement. Be sure to use the hook properly when using your tape measure!
Some pocket tape measures feature a case with a known length (e.g. 7cm) and some more innovative ones even take the length of the tape into account bycompensating for the case length on the bladeor by using aviewing window. Most tapes, however, leave it up to the user to take the length of the case into account. When taking an internal measurement, therefore, it is important to bend the blade at the point at which it touches the object you're measuring to. Do not assume that the tape has taking the case length into account unless you are using one of the more advanced tapes mentioned above.
Safety Tips
Whatever you do, never allow the blade and hook to return uncontrolled at full speed when rewinding. Whilst the ability to return the blade quickly into the case can seem like a useful function, it can be very dangerous with a number of people each year being injured by wildly flailing hooks. All manufacturers recommend that users make use of safety glasses/goggles when doing any work that requires a tape measure for exactly this reason.
What's more, some tape measures (regardless of expense or quality) can feature steel blades with relatively sharp edges. They may not feel sharp at first but it can be a very different story when travelling at speed.
Written by Ian Johnson
