How to Read a Measuring Tape

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• How to Read a Measuring Tape

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Imperial units/imperial system

• Imperial units or the imperial system is a system
  of units, first defined in the British Weights
  and Measures Act of 1824, later refined (until
  1959) and reduced.
• Systems of imperial units are sometimes referred
  to as foot-pound-second, after the base units of
  length, mass and time.
• The units were introduced in the British Empire,
  excluding the then already independent United
  States. As of 2008, all countries that used the
  imperial system have become officially metric
  (except for Burma and Liberia), but imperial
  units continue to be used alongside metric units.
• Canadian units are the traditional weights and
  measures used in Canada. The country has
  officially adopted the metric system, but still
  maintains legal definitions of the imperial units
  

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Countries that have not officially adopted the
metric system Myanmar, Liberia and the United
States.
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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• Measuring tapes come in different styles. For
  measuring rooms, or large areas, the heavy duty
  style, in a case that pulls open and snaps shut
  is often used. Measuring tapes also come in soft
  material, used for the dress maker, or to measure
  a hem and everything in between. Understanding
  what measurement it shows, is important, in any
  project.

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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• Inches (Symbol of Inches is )
• Inches are the long lines that cross either half
  of, or all of the 1" width of the tape. They
  usually are preceded or followed by numbers.

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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• A 1/2 (half) inch is exactly what it sounds like
  Half of 1 inch.

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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• 1/4 of an inch is every four marks on your tape
  measure.

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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• An 1/8 of an inch is twice as big as the 1/16 of
  an inch. It is every other mark.

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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• 16ths
• Understand what a 1/16th is. A 1/16 of an inch,
  is usually the smallest measurement on a tape
  measure. The distance between every line on the
  tape measure is 1/16 of an inch.
• The distance between each measurement that has a
  red dot above it.

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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• Different manufacturers may use different
  markings or symbols on the faces of their tapes
  based on the tape's length and any special
  purposes for which the tape measure is intended.
  Given the possibility for variance, most tape
  measures share the following markings
• Tapes are usually clearly marked every 12" with a
  black arrow and a number denoting the length in
  feet at that point on the tape.

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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• Clearly marked multiples of 16" help during
  framing. There will normally be some sort of
  easily discernible highlight located every 16" on
  the face of the tape. In most cases the number
  denoting the length in inches will have a red,
  rectangular background. These marks help the user
  mark for 16" on center (OC) when framing walls,
  floors and rafters.

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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• Many tape measures also have a small black
  diamond every 19.2". The diamond is an
  alternative OC spacing for framing materials. The
  diamond OC spacing matches 16" OC spacing every
  8' so it is compatible with most sheet goods
  (plywood, paneling, etc.). The benefit of using
  the diamond spacing is that you save one joist or
  stud every 8'. Always check with your local
  building authority before using an alternate
  spacing.

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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• The tip of the tape is riveted in place and
  slides slightly the length of the slide is the
  same as the thickness of the tip, to allow the
  user to make accurate measurements. With a
  sliding tip you get the same measurement hooking
  the end of the tape over a piece of lumber or
  butting the tip into a corner.

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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• Most tape measures have a slight curve in the
  tape to add rigidity to the blade. To get more
  accurate measurements, roll the tape so the side
  from which you are reading is in direct contact
  with the material being measured.

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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• Making accurate marks is as important as taking
  accurate readings. To ensure that your markings
  are correct, make a "V" on the material being
  marked. Draw the "V" so its point is centered
  where you want the mark. This marking method
  reduces the chance of reading on one side of a
  single mark.

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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• Keep the tape dry and free of grit. If you are
  using the tape in a wet or sandy environment,
  wipe the blade with a dry towel or rag as it
  retracts into the case. It is also a good idea to
  apply a light coat of paste wax to the tape
  occasionally. The wax inhibits rust and helps
  keep the blade moving freely.

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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• TIPS
• On most full-sized (1" wide) measuring tapes,
  inches are broken down into 1/16 fractions. Each
  line represents 1/16 of an inch starting with the
  first one after any given number or the start of
  the tape.
• Note Most measuring tapes have the same unit of
  measure on the top and bottom of the tape. This
  guide assumes that this is the case.
• With contractor measuring tapes, used for
  measuring large areas, you often cannot get a
  measurement using just the tape, as the body or
  case of the measuring tape gets in the way.
  That's why these bodies are carefully designed
  and marked to a certain width. Look on the case
  body for the width indicator. Many are 3". To
  measure a room from one corner to the other
• Lay the tape on the floor and hook the end into
  one corner of the room.
• Pull out the tape along the floor.
• When you reach the other corner push the butt of
  the tape case into the corner (the butt or back
  of the case has been flattened for this purpose).
  
• Take your measurement from the tape and then add
  the 3" for the complete width.

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How to Read a Measuring Tape

• Example Measure a space on your wall. Place the
  front of the tape at the start point and extend
  it until after you reach the stop point. Look at
  the tape and see the last number before the stop
  point, for example, 17. After the number 17,
  count four lines, noticing that you stop on the
  third longest line. That would make the total
  measured space 17 and 1/4 of an inch.
• This applies only to a tape that measures using
  standard Imperial (feet and inches) units.
  Consider using a metric measuring tape, which
  some say are more logical and easier to use. Also
  consider that the usage of metric is not
  commonplace to linear measurements in areas that
  use Imperial units and to expect to confuse
  contractors, home-improvement store employees and
  other people that may assist you. You may have to
  use a calculator and list of conversions as
  building materials commonly do not list both
  systems of measurement.