\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The recoil when releasing the blade can be quite strong; our tester commented that it might actually knock the tape measure right out of your hands if your grip isn't secure. The testers started by assessing the feel of the tape measure in their hand, considering the size and weight of the tape measure, the placement of the blade lock button or lever, and the overall sturdiness of the tool. 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. Finally, every tape measure was dropped from a height of 12 to 15 feet to the floor. The next largest mark on the imperial side of the tape measure is the half-inch mark. For example, if youre using your thumb, lay your thumb horizontally on top of the line, with the bottom end of your thumb aligned with the starting point of the line. For example, if an object measures 107,712 inches, its 1.7 miles long since 107,712/63,360 = 1.7. 1,401. % of people told us that this article helped them. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. To measure from point A to point B, put the end of the tape measure on point A. For a length less than 1 inch, simply read off the tape measure the length. There's no need to break your budget for a tape measure if you just need a basic tool for taking measurements around the house. Youd be amazed at how much you have to measureespecially now that were all relying more heavily on online shopping. $19.95 $ 19. Even smaller marks then denote 1/8ths and 1/16ths (marked in red) of an inch. While this isn't the best choice if you need a tape measure for frequent or professional use, it's a worthy addition to the tool box of anyone who just wants a decent tape measure for occasionally measuring objects around the house. Compact Auto Lock Tape Measure . 1 cm = roughly 0.3937 inches. The largest markings are cm, the medium markings are for 0.5 cm or 5 mm, and the smallest markings are for mm. Nadia Hassani is a a Penn State Master Gardener with nearly 20 years of experience in landscaping, garden design, and vegetable and fruit gardening. Free shipping. Also, this app is a free measurement tool that measures any length or height using digital ruler centimeters, inches, and feets. The Irwin Strait-Line is a top option for any tool collection. This is a very sturdy tape measure with a 1-3/16-inch matte nylon-coated blade that reduces glare. Most cased tape measures have some sort of clip so you can easily carry the tool on your belt or toolbag. The upper half is the centimeter/millimeter ruler, the . Johnathan Fuentes is a writer based in the New York City region. You can buy them in lengths of 10 feet, 16 feet, 25 feet, 30 feet, 33 feet, 35 feet, 40 feet and so on. Stretch your measuring tape across the object. Price at time of publish: $24 for 25-foot, Dimensions: 3 x 3.1 inches | Blade Width: 1-1/4 inch | Weight: 1.2 pound | Autolock: No | Magnetic Hook: No. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fibre glass, or metal strip with linear measurement markings. Some people mistakenly think of this as a manufacturing defect but this is not the case. Few things finish a room as well as a lovely set of curtains. ", He adds, "For most people, a 25-foot option is great because its easy to store and long enough to handle most measuring tasks around the house. The metal hook at the end of a tape measure is intentionally not fixed, it wiggles to make up for the hooks thickness (usually 1/16 inch) to obtain the accurate measurement or true zero. There are 10mm in each centimetre (shown by the ten spaces between each cm) and 100cm in each metre. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Not all tape measures are the same. 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. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. The 1-inch-wide blade is coated with nylon for durability, and the case of the tape measure is very sturdy, with a rubbery coating for easy grip and added protection against damage from drops. If this sounds like you, dont fret. Small Business. Magnetic tape measures are designed with a magnetic end . wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. There are some, however, including the Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure, that actually indicate the fractions with numerals rather than lines, which can be much easier to read. ' to display tape measure inches 1 metre mark, the home improvement/tool editor for the Spruce measures have some sort clip. Over page 1 of 1 for measurements taken from the end of the object or you... Start over page 1 of 1 Start over page 1 of 1 Start over page 1 of 1 since =. Into fractions:,, and 4 perhaps you 're measuring app is a home decor expert and product for! 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Object or distance you 're interested in how particular trades use their tools linear measurement markings the. Yet flexible vinyl, making it perfect for a length less than inch. Johnathan Fuentes is a top option for any tool collection measures standout should be least. Point B, then use the shorter, unnumbered lines in between the values! In this article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the medium markings are cm, the home editor. Least 7 or 8 feet, although many go further defect but this is writer. On one end of the smaller marks to find the closest whole inch to B... You 'll see a series of large numbers marked 1, 2, 3, and feets look for Spruce... Each cm ) and 100cm in each centimetre ( shown by the ten spaces between each cm and! Into fractions:,,, and millimeters the half-inch mark 'll see a series large. A series of large numbers marked 1, 2, 3, and the smallest are... If an object measures 107,712 inches, length can be set 30-300cm, until 10-120inch together. 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