\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Our tester did find it a bit tricky to hook the tape measure onto his belt, however. The DEWALT Tough Series has a removable magnetic tip, so you can take it off when not needed. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. They may not feel sharp at first but it can be a very different story when travelling at speed. Each tape measure was extended to its full length while the tester held it at various angles and noted the point at which the tape measure could no longer remain straight. Most tape measures sold in the US have only imperial measurements, meaning inches and feet. While this heavy-duty tape measure is probably more than you need for typical use around the house, we highly recommend it for people who need a tape measure that can survive the rigors of a jobsite. The blade's engineering scale makes it easy for users to measure to tenths of an inch. 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. Many people often fail to plan ahead when it comes to incorporating blinds into their home. For instance, if the final space is about half as long as the others, count it as half an inch. We regularly get asked the question how do you read a tape measure. An additional feature we loved was a "finger brake" opening at the bottom of the tape measure that lets the user control the speed of the blade as it retractsno more abrupt motions that can cut your finger or knock the tool out of your hand. If you're going to be working on larger jobs like renovating a kitchen or laying new floors, go with a 25-foot tape measure or 30-foot tape measure. Use the next longest lines for inches, the third longest for inches, and so on. To measure anything, you need a measuring device such as a ruler, yardstick, measuring tape, etc. Perfect Measuring Tape - Fraction Tape Measure, All-Purpose 60 Inch Tape Measure - Double Sided Fractional Inches and Millimeter/Centimeter Tape Measure TR-16-frac (60 inch White) 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (638) $5.99 $ 5. Admittedly, many tape measures are not easy to read. Whatever you do, never allow the blade and hook to return uncontrolled at full speed when rewinding. Retractable and Portable. Price at time of publish: $26 for 16-foot; $38 for 25-foot, Dimensions: 3 x 3.1 inches | Blade Width: 1-1/4 inch | Weight: 2.1 pounds | Autolock: No | Magnetic Hook: No. We tested both the 16-foot and 25-foot versions of this tape measure and found both to be comfortable to hold, with blades that pulled out smoothly and recoiled well (although with a bit of a catch on the 25-foot model.) All tape measures have markings to indicate increments of length. For example, if an object measures 117 inches, its 3.25 yards long since 117/36 = 3.25. To measure in inches, start by lining up a ruler, yardstick, or tape measure with the object or distance you're trying to measure so the "0" is at one of the ends. $10.90. In response to our customers, therefore, weve put together this simple guide that explains just that! Small Business. Open the app and measure height with the camera on the go. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. He is currently counting down the seconds until the release of Kerbal Space Program 2 in 2023a game that will almost certainly take up what little free time he has. Measurements are indicated down to 1/16ths of an inch, with additional markings to show stud and joist spacings. The standout of a cased tape measure is the distance the unsupported blade can extend before it bends or sags. Also, this app is a free measurement tool that measures any length or height using digital ruler centimeters, inches, and feets. You'll know which one you have because your measuring tape will either have 15 small lines between each large number or it will have 31. Measuring Tape for Body 60 Inch (150cm) - Retractable Measuring Tape for Body Accurate Way to Track Weight Loss Muscle Gain by One Hand, - Easy Body Tape Measure 3 Piece. Even smaller marks then denote 1/8ths and 1/16ths (marked in red) of an inch. Other than 25 feet, the most common sizes are 12, 16, 30, and 35 feet. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, Komelon Contractor LR Tape Measure at Amazon, Milwaukee Auto Lock Tape Measure at Amazon, Crescent Lufkin Shockforce Dual-Sided Tape Measure at Walmart, DeWalt Tough Series Tape Measure at Home Depot, Stanley FatMax Classic Tape Measure at Amazon, Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure at Home Depot, Stanley FatMax Tape Measure at Home Depot, Crescent Lufkin Shockforce Dual-Sided Tape Measure, The 11 Best Ladders of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, Stanley FatMax Classic 25-Foot Tape Measure 33-725, The 10 Best Stud Finders of 2023, Tested and Reviewed. skirting board) providing an accurate measurement. Johnathan Fuentes is a writer based in the New York City region. The blade lock was easy to use with just one thumb, and the recoil was smooth and not overly aggressive, however, making the tape measure well suited for use in projects around the home, workshop, or garage. If squinting at the tiny measurement markings on a tape measure isn't your favorite part of using these tools, then you'll appreciate the clearly marked fractions on this tape measure, which are actual numerals, not just lines, indicating 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 inches. When you are done, let the blade retract back into the case, which depending on the model happens automatically or you need to push a button. A rounded design wont snag or wear on your clothing. A good hook is large enough to hold in place when required, but not so large that it catches where you dont want it to. Still, this tape measure has a lot to recommend it. This is a very sturdy tape measure with a 1-3/16-inch matte nylon-coated blade that reduces glare. Built to take a beating and keep on working, this professional-quality tape measure has a very sturdy housing that resists damage even if dropped from way up high. Perhaps you're interested in how particular trades use their tools? The testers extended the tape measure blade to various lengths and then used the manual lock (or autolock on those tape measures with this feature) to hold the blade in place. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Reel tape measures are most often used by surveyors and others needing to measure large stretches of open space. Our team of testers put the tape measures through their paces, scoring the tools on several aspects of performance. Some tape measures have a stop button to let you lock the tape at the desired measurement. In our tests, the standout was around 10 feet, which isn't especially impressive but is more than adequate for the types of projects typically handled by DIYers or for use around the home. The 1-1/4-inch-wide blade is coated for durability, with the first 6 inches double-coated to prevent fraying, bending, or cracking. The metal tip of a cased tape measure is called the hook or the tang. The 12 Best Multi-Tools of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 8 Best Snow Shovels of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 9 Best Laser Levels of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 8 Best Ice Scrapers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 14 Best Screwdriver Sets of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 10 Best Gardening Tools of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 8 Best Steam Cleaners of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, types of projects typically handled by DIYers. Measuring tape - AR Measure app is a camera ruler & measurement app to measure the distance between two points. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Johnathan Fuentes. Some pocket tape measures feature a case with a known length (e.g. or tape measure increments, you might find yourself resorting to the old, "2-1/2 inches and 3 little black marks" method. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Either material is often covered at least partly with a rubberized coating to add extra grip and to help the tool withstand drops without cracking. Picture 1 of 4. Free shipping. He is also an avid hiker and has backpacked in Alaska and Newfoundland, Canada. It has excellent standout, with the 16-foot model testing at around 11 feet and the 25-foot model testing at around 13 feet. Self-Lock Evolution 30-ft Auto Lock Tape Measure. There are lots of ways to get around these problemsincluding converting metric units to inches, learning to use rulers and other tools to measure inches precisely, and even approximating inches using everyday items. And of course, there are also much longer tape measures that come in handy when measuring floors or walls in large rooms or outdoor areas. FREE delivery. Whilst the centimetres are clearly numbered, to make the blade easier to read the millimetres arenotnumbered. If you look closely at your measuring tool, you may see a tiny bit of space between the 0 line and the edge of your tool. $19.95 $ 19. The 1-1/4-inch-wide blade is coated for strength and durability, with an additional layer of protective coating on the first 4-1/2 inches of the blade. It is a common measuring tool. For metric units, measure centimeters with the longest markings. Have one to sell? This sturdy tape measure automatically locks in place at the point where you stop pulling out the blade. Also, whilst a few tapes show '1m' to display the 1 metre mark, the majority will show '100cm'. Make sure that the measuring edge of your 1-inch object stays parallel to the line you traced. 99. So for measurements taken from the inside edge of an object, such . In other words it moves in and out ever so slightly. For example, if an object is 30 inches long, its length in feet is 2.5 ft since 30/12 = 2.5. Reading a tape measure is a matter of interpreting the lengths of the perpendicular marks on the blade and determining if your measurement is aligning with a 1-inch, a 1/2-inch, a 1/4-inch, a 1/16-inch, or 1/32-inch markings. 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. SumVibe Soft Tape Measure 120 Inches/300cm, Pocket Measuring Tape for Sewing Tailor Cloth Body Measurement, Yellow 3-Pack. Learn to measure in inches using rulers, everyday items, or by converting from metric units. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, haoa Tape Measure for Body Measuring, 79Inch/2Meters Retractable Measuring Tape for Body Fabric Sewing, Tailor, Knitting Cloth, Craft, Measurements Dual Sided (Square,1 Pack) (Pale Pink), haoa Tape Measure for Body Measuring, 79Inch/2Meters Retractable Measuring Tape for Body Fabric Sewing, Tailor, Knitting Cloth, Craft, Measurements Dual Sided (Square,1 Pack)(White), haoa Tape Measure for Body Measuring, 79Inch/2Meters Retractable Measuring Tape for Body Fabric Sewing, Tailor, Knitting Cloth, Craft, Measurements Dual Sided (Square,1 Pack)(Lavender). Black print on pink background allows for easy sight and marked inches and centimeters . If your original measurement ended exactly on a numbered line, you can skip this step since there is no extra fraction to add. 99. While most DIYers dont need this type of tape measure, its useful if you need to measure a large flat space, such as a deck or long fence. Above you'll see a picture of a metric/imperial pocket tape measure. If youre using a ruler or other measuring stick, make sure the stick lies flat against the edge of the object or line being measured. 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. The standout of the 16-foot version was around 12 feet and the 25-foot model was only slightly longer at around 13 feet in our tests. Note: Nike shoe sizes are based on foot length. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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